The Columbus bus station felt colder than I expected, even with people moving constantly around me. I stayed seated long after my bus arrived, just holding my suitcase handle like it was the only thing keeping me anchored. Outside, the city lights blurred through the glass, indifferent to what I had just walked away from.

My phone stayed off, but I could still feel it vibrating in my mind. Every possible version of my parents’ voices replayed in fragments—anger, confusion, maybe even panic. I told myself I didn’t care, but my hands kept tightening around the strap of my bag.

When I finally stood up, my legs felt unsteady, like I was stepping into a life that hadn’t been built for me yet. I walked out into the night air, letting it hit my face as if it could reset everything that had happened.

The only direction I had was forward-