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I sometimes found comfort in the silence between us, it was a convenient place to hide when neither of us knew what to say.

"I just wish you told us you were leaving today," she said. Her voice sounded defeated, which made me want to apologise.

"It was all very unexpected, Mum," I responded, leaving more silence to fall between us.

In all honesty, I knew I was moving days ago, I just didn't want to tell her or my brothers unless I had to. I couldn't bear any guilt they would place on me for moving out of home - but I had my reasons.

"I can get off work and come and say goodbye?" She suggested. I could hear the hope in her voice.

"No, it's okay, I'll be gone by the time you get here." It pained me to say it, but I knew that if she knew I was leaving, she would have tried to convince me to stay.

She sighed into the phone as her response.

A creak in the hardwood floor signalled Emmett's arrival. He leaned against the door frame with concern laced in his eyes.

"Look ma, I've got to go. We're about to leave," I said, my eyes on Emmett.

"Okay, Ali." She sighed again. "Be safe, tell Emmett I said hi."

"Thanks, I will."

"I love you," She spoke.

"You too." A slight pause before I responded. I hung up and put my phone into my pocket.

"You okay, kid?" Emmett asked, his eyebrows turned inwards in concern.

I nodded my head, looking around the empty space that was once my room. Bear wooden floor, white walls and single metal frame bed in the corner. My room - absent of life.

"We ready to go?" I asked, smiling at Emmett.

"Only three more boxes to go at the front."

"Yay," I said, with relief. I walked out of the room with Emmett. We put the remaining boxes in the boot of his large black ute and jumped into the front passenger seat.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked, putting his keys into the ignition.

I turned to him; his eyebrows pulled together with worry. A look I had become familiar with.

"I've never wanted anything more. I've got the job close by, I can pay the rent for a couple months," I paused, looking at Emmett. "You and I both know that I need this."

He nodded his head, turning on the car completely.

"You do need this," he smiled. "I can't believe you've lived with a single bed for this long," he said laughing, which made me laugh in return.

Emmett has this infectious laugh that could make a room full of people smile.

Emmett had been my next-door neighbour since we were toddlers. Emmett is almost double the size of me in width and height, with dark skin, dark eyes and hair shaved into a buzz cut. Being a rugby player, his body was lean