When Kara got home, the house was louder than usual. Everyone was gathered in the living room, her parents, Dean, Alva, even her dad putting down the paper for once. The TV flickered with some variety show, but nobody was really watching.
"There she is," Dean said, smirking from the couch. "The big shot Bali student!"
"Shut up," Kara muttered, dropping onto the floor beside Alva, who handed her a soda.
Her mom leaned forward, eyes soft. "Are you done packing?"
"Mostly," Kara said. "Maid and Alva helped. Alec supervised and complained."
"Hey!" Alec protested from the armchair. "I was quality control."
The room erupted in laughter, easing the tension that had hung there for months. For the first time in a long time, Kara felt like part of the family and not the rebel, not the disappointment. Just Kara.
Her dad spoke quietly, but with a rare smile. "We're proud of you, you know."
Kara blinked, her throat tightening. "Thanks, Dad."
Alva nudged her shoulder. "And when we visit Bali, you're our guide. Full tour. Beaches, bars, everything."
"Yeah," Alec added. "We'll bring a whole crew. Embarrass you in front of your new friends."
Kara laughed, tears pricking her eyes. "Fine. But only if you pay for your own damn drinks."
Her mom's smile faded just slightly, thoughtful. "You'll come back, right? For family events?"
Kara nodded firmly. "I promise. Especially for Dean's wedding."
Dean rolled his eyes but there was the ghost of a grin. "You better. Can't have an empty chair in the sibling lineup."
The night stretched on with jokes, stories, and quiet glances that said more than words could. Kara looked around the room, her mom's tired but proud face, her dad's steady silence, Dean's guarded smirk, Alva and Alec's teasing warmth.
Her bracelet pressed against her wrist, heavy with memory.
This is what I have to carry forward, Kara thought. For them. For me. Even if it hurts.
When the laughter finally died down and everyone drifted to bed, Kara stayed a little longer, staring at the flickering TV. Tomorrow, everything would change. But tonight, she let herself believe she was ready.
***
Sunlight slipped through the blinds, casting slanted stripes across Kara's half-empty room. The posters were down, the books packed, the piano sheet music stacked neatly in boxes. It no longer looked like hers, not really, just a space in transition.
Kara sat on the edge of her bed, bracelet cool on her wrist, scanning every corner like she could memorize it.
This was where I fought with Mom. Where I cried after Dean's words. Where Willow kissed me goodnight. And tomorrow, it won't be mine anymore.
A soft knock. Alva poked her head in. "You up? Breakfast's waiting."
Kara nodded. "Yeah… just saying goodbye."
Alva stepped inside, perching beside her. "To the room?"
"To everything." Kara's laugh cracked.
Alva nudged her shoulder. "Jakarta's not going anywhere. Neither am I."
Kara smiled faintly. "Thanks, Alva."
They went downstairs, where Alec was sprawled on the couch, waving a half-eaten toast. "Look who finally decided to grace us."
"Shut up," Kara said, stealing the toast from his hand.
He grinned. "You'll miss this, you know."
"Not you," she teased.
But when Alec leaned in, whispering, "Call me if it gets too heavy there, okay?" Kara's chest tightened.
"I will," she promised.
At the table, Dean sat stiffly with his coffee. For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Kara swallowed. "Dean…"
He didn't look up, but his voice softened. "Don't screw it up, Kara. You've got one chance. Make it count."
Kara blinked. It wasn't much, but it was more than she expected. She nodded. "I will."
And though the words were clumsy, she heard what he meant: I care, even if I don't say it right.
Her mom was bustling around, sliding extra bread on Kara's plate. "Eat. You'll need the strength."
Kara smirked. "I'll have food in Bali, you know."
Her mom finally sat, her eyes moist but determined. "It's different. You won't have me checking if you ate."
Kara reached across, squeezed her hand. "I'll be okay, Mom."
Her mom's lips trembled. "I know. But let me worry anyway. That's my job."
Her dad cleared his throat. "Enough crying over breakfast. Save it for the airport."
They laughed, but Kara saw the way his hand rested over her mom's, steady and reassuring.
The car ride was quiet, Jakarta's traffic humming around them. At the airport, everything blurred—suitcases, announcements, strangers rushing by. But Kara's world shrank to her family.
At the check-in gate, the goodbyes began.
Alva hugged her first, tight and warm. "Don't replace me with cooler cousins in Bali."
Kara chuckled through tears. "Impossible."
Alec was next, ruffling her hair. "Don't get too serious, yeah? Still be our Kara. Still laugh too loud."
"I'll try," Kara said, hugging him hard. "Love you, dummy."
Dean lingered, awkward. Finally, he pulled her into a quick, stiff hug. "Come back for the wedding. Don't be late."
Kara nodded, whispering, "I wouldn't miss it for anything."
When she pulled back, Dean's eyes were glassy though he quickly looked away.
Her dad placed a hand on her shoulder. "Bali's just a flight away. Don't forget where home is."
Kara swallowed. "Never."
Finally, her mom cupped her face, tears spilling now. "I wasn't easy on you. I know that. But everything I pushed, it was because I saw what you could be. And look. You're already becoming it."
Kara broke, hugging her so tight she felt her heartbeat. "Thank you, Mom. For everything. I'll make you proud."
"You already do," her mom whispered.
The announcement crackled: Final call for passengers to Denpasar.
Kara turned, hold her mom hand, her family waving behind her. She lifted her wrist, showing the bracelet Willow had given her, and whispered to herself: This is for all of them. This is for me.
She walked forward, the world shifting beneath her feet, and didn't look back until the crowd swallowed her.