Lexi had lived in that house for almost 100 years. It was strange leaving it. It had been her choice. Her sister wanted to move out of the city walls. She wanted more space now that she was promised. Lexi figured it would be a good time to make a change. She didn’t see the appeal of it all, though.

It’s not that she hated the idea of coalescing and having children, just that it seemed very inconvenient. Maybe in a few more years she would consider it. Maybe.

She walked slowly through the now empty house. The marks on the wall Laci made while trying to get thorny vines to do her bidding. A height chart their parents had insisted on. The worn carpet and chipping paint.

Her and Laci could have gotten it all fixed. They climbed the status ladder, gained favor, and now they each do more than well in their own right. The flaws and the marks and scrapes and bumps were what made the house home. She leaned against the door frame of the patio.

“Bittersweet, isn’t it?” Laci said, coming up behind her.

“Mhm,” Lexi grunted.

“Oh come on!” Laci whined. “If there was ever a time to show some emotion it’s now! All the memories, the heartbreak, the love, the nostalgia of it all!”

Lexi didn’t say anything. Her and Laci had always been exact opposites. She rarely showed emotions outwardly. She internalized, thought about, and quietly worked through things. Laci, on the other hand, never had a thought or emotion she didn’t say out loud.

“Fine. Be all stoic and brooding,” Laci conceded. “Alex is waiting for me. So, I guess I’d better head out.”

Lexi knew it was coming, but was still almost knocked over as Laci enveloped her in a tight hug.

“You know you can still call me or come over anytime. You aren’t leaving the country. Hell, you’re barely leaving the city,” Lexi grumbled as she hugged her back.

“I know, but still. I’ll miss living with you.”

“Maybe this change will bring great things to each of us.”

“Yes. It definitely will,” Laci said, stepping back and swiping at her eyes. “Maybe we will become closer than ever too!”

She stood there awkwardly for a minute, looking around one last time before walking out the front door to her partner.

Lexi needed to leave too, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk out quite yet. She stepped out into the backyard and reached for her magic. She gently coaxed all the plants to grow for her. She brought them all to bloom, and took in the fragrance they threw off. She sent them all the love she could. The next owner better appreciate all the beauty back here. All her lovely plants perched prettily everywhere you looked.

She tipped her head back as she felt her eyes welling up. She squeezed them shut and took a deep breath, demanding not a drop spill over. Once she had control of herself again, she looked over her flowers one last time before making her way to the front door.

As she pulled the door closed behind her, a single tear slid down her cheek. She swiped it away, but her right eye produced another. The traitor.