Love Maze

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The sun had began to peek over the trees, washing the small town in a golden hue, Aster groaning as he realised he had been up all night reading. Again. He closed his book, hiding it in his dresser, like normal, before gathering his clothes and making his way to the bathroom to shower. 20 minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom and skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen, wishing his parents a good morning.

His blonde hair was falling around his face in tendrils, still wet from the shower. He fixed a bowl of cereal and sat down, eating and minding his own business.

"I can't believe you're moving today! You've grown so much." His mother sighed, shaking her head as she cleaned the counters off before grabbing her apron and tying it around her small waist as his father scrolled through his news apps.

Aster laughed slightly uncomfortable before shaking his head. "Mom, it's just a state away, it's not that big of a deal. I can always come visit." His mother shook her head, long hair, identical to her son's, shook with the movement.

"I'm just not ready to accept it!" His father looked up, clearing his voice.

"That's enough, he's eighteen! He can manage. He can't live with us all his life. Don't worry."

The new adult silently thanked his dad before finishing his breakfast, setting the bowl in the sink and kissing his mother's cheek before rushing up the stairs.

He moved around his room, packing up the last of his clothes and finding two extra boxes. He stacked all the books he's already read in one, hiding it in the closet and packing his unread and favorites into another, hiding them under trinkets and other things he didn't necessarily want to bring.

After a few trips, his truck was packed and ready to go. He sighed, going back inside and looking around. "Ok, I'm packed and ready to go." The time had just struck 10. It was still quite early, but he was eager to leave the closely watched and very religious environment of his parents. He gave them one last hug before walking out the house, his mother and father following.

He climbed into his truck, giving a wave as he buckled and started his car, backing out and smiling to himself as he began to drive away, into his new life.