Ava finally finished packing. It's Monday night, and Tuesday night, we will be moving out. Ava still hasn't told her parents, but that shouldn't be a BIG problem. Not too big.

Ava plopped on her bed, after a whole day of packing, packing, packing.
Me and Marsh jumped up after her, curling on both her sides. I looked up at the blank walls. Ava had stripped off all the pictures and paintings, and stuffed them in the suitcases.

The whole room was practically empty. Just suitcases were lined up on the floor. 
There was a quiet knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Ava asked, in an uninterested tone. She was completely exhausted. "It's your mom" Ava's mother replied from the other end of the door. There was a pause. "Come in" Ava sat up, and tied her messed up hair in a loose pony tail. Her mother entered the room with a soft sigh. "Did you hear the news?" She asked. Ava nodded.
Her mother looked around at the empty room, only full of suitcases, Ava's bed, and closet, that was completely emptied into the suitcases. Besides those, there were a few rubbish bags full of unwanted things that were hidden under the bed, or in the closet. There were also cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other.

Her mother's eyes wandered the room, and looked at the empty walls. "When will you be moving out?" Her mother asked in a gentle voice, that rarely comes from her mouth.
"Tuesday night" Ava answered. Neither her, me or Marsh expected that question. We were sure she'd yell at one of us. Or all of us.

"It's a day drive from here to the house" Ava said. "Are we that much of a bother you want to leave?" She asked, in a hurt voice. Ava shook her head. "No. I just think I'm ready to live on my own. Besides, I always dreamt of having a home down there. But I will miss you and dad." Ava said.

Her mother nodded and pulled her into a hug. "Make sure to text us every time you get to bed. Ask us before you make a new friend too." Her mother said. "Mom, I make friends now, why do I all of a sudden have to tell you?" Ava tried to hold in a laugh. "You never know what the people could be like down there! They could teach you bad habits, they might not have respect for the elders, maybe they are bad drivers-"
"Mom, it's only a days drive away" Ava chuckled, as her mother pulled her out of the hug. "I know." She pursed her lips. "I love you, Ava" her mother said. "I love you mom"
They looked at each other in the eyes for a long while. Finally, her mother put her hands on Ava's shoulders.

"It's bedtime! What are you still doing up!" Her mother frowned.
Ava chuckled and tucked herself into bed. "Make sure the windows are closed, Ava. Remember what they said on the news?" Her mother asked. Ava rolled her eyes. "Yes ma'am" she closed her window. "Good night, mom." Ava said as her mother stepped out of the room. 
"Good night, Ava" her mother replied as she closed the door. Ava smiled and switched the light off. She shuffled around in bed, before finally relaxing on her side. Me and Marsh curled beside her, and we all fell asleep together. It was always us three. Together.