I couldn't just stay in my room pretending everything was fine.
Not when my parents were downstairs pretending they weren't breaking our family in half.
I wiped my face, shoved my phone into my pocket, and went back downstairs.
Mom was standing at the stove, still stirring a pot that was already done. Dad kept pacing around.
Ethan was on the couch, hugging his dinosaur.
No one looked up when I entered.
"Are you guys actually not going to that dinner?" I asked quietly.
Mom's hand froze on the spoon.
Dad sighed.
Mom turned slowly. "We're not going."
"But you already bought the dress," I said. "You did your hair. You were excited this morning."
She swallowed. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"It does matter," I said. "You've been talking about this promotion for months."
Dad rubbed his forehead. "Eve…."
"No," I cut in. "You can't just cancel your whole life over one argument."
Mom laughed bitterly. "It's not one argument. It's our future."
"And what about mine?" I asked before I could stop myself.
They both looked at me.
My voice shook. "You're talking about moving like it's nothing. Like I don't exist. Like I won't have to leave my school. My friends. My boyfriend."
"You're young," she said. "Your life is not over."
"It will be if we move," I snapped.
Dad sighed. "You know your mom. She's not going to listen."
"No," I said. "You can't just decide this without us."
Ethan sat up. "I don't want to move."
Mom's eyes softened. "Honey…"
"I don't want a new room," he said. "I like my bed."
"You'll get a bigger bed." Mom tried convincing him.
Dad turned back to Mom. "Listen to him. Listen to them."
"And what about listening to me?" she cried. "I am tired of struggling. I am tired of pretending we're okay."
"We are okay," Dad said.
"No, we are not!" she snapped. "We are barely surviving."
"You're acting like this is our only option," he said.
"Because it is!" she yelled. "This is stability. This is everything we've been praying for. I've been paying for. It's five times your normal paycheck."
"I can talk to my boss," Dad said. "Maybe there's another position closer."
Mom shook her head. "You always say that. You always delay."
"Because I care about my family," he said.
"So do I!" she cried. "That's why I want you to take it."
Ethan slid off the couch and ran to Dad, hugging his leg. "Daddy, please don't make us move."
Dad's face broke.
He crouched and pulled Ethan into his arms.
Mom looked away, wiping her eyes.
I stepped forward. "You don't have to decide tonight," I said softly. "Just talk to your boss. Ask if there's another option. Don't throw everything away, but don't rip us apart either."
Mom hesitated.
"Please," I added. "I just got… happy. For once mom. Please just listen to me this time."
Her eyes met mine.
"I'm finally dating the guy I've had a crush on forever," I whispered. "I finally feel like I belong somewhere. I don't want to leave."
Silence filled the room.
Dad stood up slowly. "We can still go to the dinner," he said. "We don't have to cancel everything. Especially not when you're looking so beautiful."
Mom blinked. "You think so?"
"You spent all day getting ready," he said. "You deserve this night."
She looked down at her apron.
Then she exhaled. "I didn't curl my hair for two hours for nothing."
Ethan gasped. "So you're going?"
"Yes," she said, already untieing her apron. "We're going."
Dad walked up to her, kissing mom on her forehead. "Let's just go. We'll talk about the job later."
I felt relieved.
"Ethan," she said, turning to him, " No sugar or screen time. You're going to bed early."
"Aww," he groaned.
"You can sleep in your sister's room if you get scared," Dad said. "Stay up a little. But lights off by nine."
Ethan smiled. "Can we watch cartoons?"
"Only one episode," Mom said.
She pulled off her apron and headed for the stairs. "I'm going to change."
Dad followed. "I'll grab my jacket."
I stood there, suddenly lighter.
Maybe everything wasn't falling apart.
Tonight could still be good…..I could still sneak out later.