The sky was filled with pink streaks. The sun was barely out when you crept out of your room. Your backpack was on and you were ready to go.

You passed by Hoshi's pale blue door. A tiny sign said 'Hoshi' in curly purple letters. You could hear her snoring softly behind the door.

When you stepped off the stairs, the first thing you saw was a spread of mail all over the dining table. You glanced at the pile, and one caught your eye. It was a huge white envelope, addressed to Michiko. The return address was Sky Towers Apartments, New York City. 

What the heck? Michiko? Contacting apartments in New York City?

"(Y/N)? Are you awake?" Hoshi's voice called faintly from upstairs. You abruptly dropped the envelope and ran out the door.

* * *

"Hi, (Y/N)! What are you doing here so early?" a janitor greeted you. 

"I just wanted to get some work done. Am I allowed to go in?"

"Of course. Let me get my keys." The janitor lifted out a huge bundle of keys and unlocked the main doors.

"Thanks." You walked into the school, an eerie silence filling the air. You reached your lab and opened the door.

A few hours later, you heard noisy chatter filling the halls. The other students had arrived. You were peacefully sketching when the door opened. "Hi, (Y/N)," Hiro's voice called. You looked up.

"Are you okay?" Hiro asked, approaching your desk.

You nodded. "Why?"

"You space out so much these days," Hiro mumbled. "So I got worried." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's just the work," you replied. "I'm fine, Hiro."

"Are you sure? I can get you Starbucks or something to keep you alert-"

"Hiro, I'm fine," you repeated. "Just go back to your lab."

Hiro didn't budge. "Are you completely, 100% sure?" He leaned closer to you and stared intently in your tired, (E/C) eyes.

You snapped. "Hiro, I'm fine! Just leave me alone!" 

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. . . " Hiro started.

"Well, you can stop," you said angrily. "I would be great if you stop pestering me and keep to your own life for two seconds!"

Hurt flashed across Hiro's face. "If you say so," Hiro grumbled. You felt guilty. What you said was mean. "Hiro, wait," you called. 

But Hiro was already gone.

* * *

You trudged into your house later that day, feeling lower than ever. Now Hiro was angry at you. You couldn't blame him.

"(Y/N)?" Michiko called. You pulled off your backpack and headed towards her voice.

Michiko and Hoshi were sitting in the kitchen. Michiko was holding the white envelope you saw earlier. 

"(Y/N), we  need to talk," Michiko told you. You nodded and sat down beside Hoshi. You gave a questioning look at your stepsister, but she just shrugged.

"I know we're all trying to get over (Dad's Name) death," Michiko said solemnly. "But the only way is to start over."

You had no idea where this was going. "So . . . how are we starting over?"

"I've been looking around. I think the best way to start over is to be in a new place," Michiko replied, tearing open the envelope. An uneasy feeling settled over you.

"And. . . where is this new place?" Hoshi asked cautiously.

Michiko stared at the envelope for a moment. "Okay, before I say anything, I'm so sorry about this. But you can't pick up a new life if your hands are full with your old one."

You and Hoshi blinked at her expectantly.

"New York City, across the country. We're moving there in two weeks."

* * *