Chapter 57: New Beginnings

Rachel stood in the center of her now empty living room, staring at the boxes piled high around her. The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the familiar surroundings that would soon only exist in her memories. Mike, her best friend and confidant for as long as she could remember, busied himself with taping up the last box. "You sure you've got everything?" Mike asked, his voice laced with concern. Rachel nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I think so. It's strange, isn't it? Packing up your whole life into boxes." Mike chuckled softly, though his eyes betrayed the sadness he felt. "Tell me about it. Feels like just yesterday we were sneaking out to that old abandoned house down the street." "Remember how scared we were when Mrs. Jenkins caught us?" Rachel reminisced, a genuine smile crossing her face this time. "Good times," Mike agreed, a wistful look in his eyes. "I'm going to miss you, Rach." "I'll miss you too, Mike," Rachel replied, her voice catching slig