Farewells and First Steps

The first rays of dawn, thin and hesitant, crept through Amy’s bedroom window, painting the familiar walls in hues of pale rose and gold. It was the kind of morning that usually felt full of promise, but today, a heavy, unfamiliar ache settled in Amy’s chest. The boxes, stark and brown, were piled in the hallway, silent testaments to the life she was about to leave behind. She had forgotten. The sheer, gut-wrenching realization had struck her with the force of a physical blow the previous day, eclipsing everything else, even the incredible magic that had woven itself into her life.

Leo. The thought of him sent a fresh wave of panic through her. He was the reason for the forgetfulness, the reason for this hollow ache. He was the reason for *everything* wonderful that had happened in the past weeks. How could she possibly leave him?

A soft rap at her door made her jump. “Amy? Are you awake, honey? We need to get moving.” Her mother’s voice was gentle, tinged with the weariness that had accompanied the packing and the endless goodbyes.