Eliana's POV
Snip. ✂️
The sound was terrifying and thrilling at the same time.
One more snip, a final brush-through, and the stylist stepped back with a proud little nod.
"There. What do you think?"
I stared at the mirror.
And for the first time in a long, long time…
I didn't see a stranger.
I saw me. 💁♀️
Not the pastel-prison version of me.
Not the silent, obedient daughter in perfectly ironed skirts. 👗🚫
Not the girl who smiled when she wanted to scream. 😐💢
No.
This girl?
She had shoulder-length hair with soft, choppy waves that framed her face with just enough rebellion. 💇♀️
She was wearing an oversized denim jacket, a lazy ponytail, and the kind of sneakers that dared someone to judge them. 👟👖
She looked like she listened to indie playlists and cried during animated movies. 🎧🎞️
She looked like someone who laughed too loud, ordered extra cheese, and didn't say sorry for existing. 🧀😋
She looked like me.
I turned to Mia, who was sitting cross-legged on the salon couch, grinning like a proud mom on report card day. 😌📄
"Well?" I asked, nervously tugging at my new sleeves.
She stood up dramatically, hands on hips.
"You are officially in your main character era." 🎬✨
I smiled.
A real one.
The kind that started in my chest and made its way to my mouth without asking for permission. 😄
Shopping was chaotic in the best way. 🛍️🧦💸
We raided three stores, tried on everything from slouchy hoodies to graphic tees with snarky quotes.
I got two pairs of jeans that didn't make me feel like a Barbie doll, a cozy plaid shirt that felt like a hug, and even a backpack with tiny frogs on it. 🐸🎒💚
By the time we collapsed onto a bench outside the last shop, arms heavy with bags, I felt…
light.
Unburdened.
Like for once, I wasn't wearing someone else's idea of me.
I was wearing me.
"Ugh, I'm starving," I groaned, fanning myself with a receipt. 😩🧾
Mia nudged me. "Name your craving. Celebration's on me."
"Pizza," I said instantly. "With a criminal amount of cheese." 🧀🍕
She laughed. "Your wish is my greasy command." 🍽️
We found a cozy little restaurant with vintage booths and fairy lights. ✨🪑
The kind of place that didn't care if you came in with messy hair and mismatched socks. 🧦😅
I slid into the booth and grabbed the menu with zero hesitation. 😎
"I want a large Margherita. And also… pepperoni. Ooh! And the one with mushrooms and olives. Oh! And garlic crust."
Mia blinked. "You're ordering three pizzas?" 🍕🍕🍕
"Technically, yes," I said, grinning. "But I promise to share." 😇
She chuckled, eyes shining. "Look at you. Ordering like a woman who owns her choices." 💅
I bit my lip, smile stretching wider. "Feels good." 💛
The waiter took our chaotic order without flinching, and as soon as he walked away, Mia turned to me.
"So… are you all packed for the move tomorrow?" 📦🏡
I paused. Then shook my head.
"There's nothing to pack," I said, voice light but honest.
Mia frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… nothing in that house really belongs to me," I explained, gently peeling the label off my soda bottle. 🥤
"Not the clothes, not the furniture, not the decorations. Even my books were picked by my mom because 'they looked elegant on the shelf.'"
Mia's expression softened. "Eliana…" 🥺
I smiled at her. "So I've decided—I'm starting from scratch.
My own space. My own things.
I want to pick every mug, every curtain, every spoon. I want to walk in and feel like… this is mine. Every inch of it." 🏠🪴🍽️
Her eyes glistened. "You're serious."
"I'm so serious," I said. "And I'm dragging you with me. I need help picking stuff. And judging things harshly. You're the only person whose opinion I trust." 😆🛍️
She lifted her soda can.
"To ugly rugs, mismatched cushions, and emotional mug purchases." 🧸☕🛒
"To home," I said, clinking mine against hers. 🥂
When the pizzas arrived, I didn't hold back.
I ate the way I'd always wanted to—hands greasy, fingers folded, bites too big, cheese stretching dangerously. 🧀💥
I didn't dab napkins on the corners of my mouth like a princess. I licked my fingers. I moaned out loud. I even used ranch. 🙈
Mia just stared, equal parts horrified and impressed.
"You're a monster."
"I'm free," I corrected, mouth full. 😋
And I was.
For the first time in years, I wasn't sitting in a restaurant thinking about posture or calories or whether my lipstick had smudged. 💄
I was just… me.
Messy. Loud. Hungry.
Happy. 😄🍕
I was halfway through stuffing a folded slice into my mouth—cheese stringing dramatically, sauce unapologetically on my chin—when I heard it.
A voice. Familiar.
Firm. Gentle. Slightly amused.
"Eliana?" 👀
I froze mid-bite.
Mia blinked. "Did the pizza just say your name?" 🍕
I slowly turned.
And there he was.
Dr. Waylon. 😳
In jeans and a white button-down, sleeves rolled casually up to his elbows, looking as unreasonably handsome as ever. 😤👔
And confused.
Oh no.
Not me getting caught in full pizza monster mode by my hot senior. 😭🔥
I scrambled to grab a napkin and wiped my face like a toddler who'd just discovered spaghetti. 🍝🧻
I sat straighter, adjusted my jacket, tried to look like a person who didn't just inhale an entire slice like a dragon with a cheese addiction. 🐉
"Uh—Dr. Waylon!" I greeted, way too cheerfully. "Hi! Wow. What a surprise!"
His eyes crinkled with a small smile, but he still looked stunned.
"I almost didn't recognize you."
"Well, I got a haircut," I offered quickly, waving awkwardly at my own head. 💇♀️
"And… I guess I'm not in scrubs today. Or sobbing." 😂
That earned a soft chuckle. "I can see that. You look… different."
I smiled, more gently this time. "In a good way, I hope."
He nodded, eyes warm. "Very much so." 😊
He stepped closer, hands in his pockets. "You seem well. Are you… feeling better?"
I nodded, meaning it. "I'm feeling great, actually." 🌼
Then he looked at the pizza boxes, at Mia sipping soda like this was her favorite reality show, then back at me.
"Well," he said, smiling fully now, "you certainly look like someone enjoying her life."
I grinned, sheepish. "I am." 😌
There was a pause. Then I added softly,
"And… thank you. For helping me through the worst of it. I don't think I could've made it without you."
Something in his eyes shifted.
He gave a tiny nod. "I'm glad I could help. Truly." 🩺
But then—his face grew serious.
"Eliana… I know this freedom feels good. And it should. But don't forget—you'll have to talk to your parents eventually. You can't run forever."
The words landed gently, but they still stung a little.
I lowered my gaze for a second. "I know." 😔
I looked back up and nodded, this time with more certainty.
"I will talk to them. When I'm ready. When I can do it without crumbling."
He studied me. Then smiled. "That's all I wanted to hear." 💬
"Now that you're better," he added, "any chance we'll see you back at the hospital?"
I opened my mouth to answer—But Mia beat me to it.
"With all due respect, Doctor Hotness—she's got a housewarming party to attend first." 😌🎉
Dr. Waylon blinked. "A what?"
Mia leaned forward, grinning wickedly.
"You're invited, by the way. This weekend. Eliana's new house."
Eliana's what now? 😳
I stared at Mia.
She winked. 😉
Dr. Waylon turned to me. "You moved out?"
I nodded slowly, still stuck on housewarming party. "Yeah… um, I'm starting fresh."
Mia beamed. "It's a cozy little place with a balcony view and terrible wallpaper that we're gonna fix. And the party's casual. Bring chips." 🪑🍟
Dr. Waylon looked like he was about to decline politely, but Mia gave him the look.
"…Alright," he said eventually, smiling. "I'll come."
Mia threw her arms up like she'd just won a prize. "Yessss! I'll send you the details."
Dr. Waylon gave me one last glance—this time softer, almost proud. "I'll see you then, Eliana."
Then he turned and left.
I turned slowly to Mia.
"A housewarming party?"
She sipped her drink like nothing happened. "You're welcome." 😎
"I didn't even know I was having one."
"You are now."
I stared.
She smiled.
I sighed…
But the smile tugging at my lips wouldn't leave. 😊
Because somehow, between the pizzas, the bad wallpaper, the accidental invitations, and the chaos that is Mia…
I realized something.
Maybe this wasn't just a new house. 🏡
Maybe it really was a new beginning. 🌅
And maybe—just maybe—I was finally becoming the kind of girl who didn't just survive the storm…
She threw a party in its aftermath. 🎉🌧️✨