Lately, Brooke had completely lost the motivation to go to college. Every morning, she would wake up and find another reason to stay home. Her books remained untouched, her college bag stayed in the corner of her room, and the thought of attending classes felt like the last thing she wanted to do.

The real reason was not college itself. Brooke was worried about someone she deeply cared about. She had been trying to reach him, but he was not answering her messages or returning her calls. No matter how many times she checked her phone, there was nothing from him.

Brooke kept telling herself that maybe he would eventually call. Maybe he was busy. Maybe something had happened. But as the days passed without any response, her thoughts became more overwhelming.

Her mother, Bethany, noticed the change in her immediately.

Brooke barely looked up.

Bethany sighed and sat beside her.

Larry soon walked into the room and immediately realized that the same argument was happening again.

Larry looked at her seriously.

Brooke became frustrated.

Larry’s expression softened for a moment.

Brooke looked down at her phone again.

Bethany gently placed her hand on Brooke’s shoulder.

Finally, Larry decided to give her a serious warning.

Brooke’s eyes immediately widened.

“You heard me,” Larry replied. “If you are not going to use it for the reason I gave it to you, then I’m taking it back.”

Bethany nodded in agreement.

Brooke looked from Bethany to Larry in disbelief.

“Yes,” Larry said.

Brooke crossed her arms.

Larry shook his head and walked toward the door.

Larry walked outside while holding the keys in his hand. Brooke suddenly realized that he was actually serious. The moment she heard the keys jingling, she jumped up from her seat.

She rushed out of the house.

Larry was already walking toward the red car parked in the driveway. He was just about to reach it when Brooke came running outside.

Larry turned around, surprised.

Bethany came outside behind her and tried not to laugh at the situation.

But Brooke was not listening. She quickly moved toward the driver’s side of the car and stood beside the door as if she were protecting it.

Larry held up the keys.

Brooke looked frustrated.

Larry answered calmly, “Take some time to deal with your feelings, but don’t stop building your future. You can be heartbroken and still go to class. You can be disappointed and still chase your dreams.”

Those words made Brooke pause.

For the first time that morning, she looked away from her phone and toward her parents.

Brooke took a deep breath. She still did not want to talk about the person who had been ignoring her, but she finally understood what her parents were trying to say.

Bethany smiled.

Larry nodded.

Brooke slowly opened the car door. She was still hurt, still confused, and still waiting for that unanswered message—but this time, she decided she would not let someone else’s silence decide the direction of her life.