The apartment felt quieter than usual that morning, though the silence was comforting rather than oppressive. After the chaos of Daniel’s surprise party, the world outside seemed both intimidating and inviting in equal measure. For the first time in a long time, I sat at my desk without trembling, staring at my laptop, wondering if I could finally take the next step.Emily had been patient, guiding me through small victories, coaxing me gently into situations that once would have sent me spiraling. Now, she was encouraging me to try something bigger: to use my time alone productively, to apply the lessons she’d been teaching me, and to build skills that could one day support a life where I didn’t have to face crowds or loud, chaotic rooms.I opened a blank document and stared at the cursor blinking at me. My fingers hovered above the keyboard, hesitant, uncertain. The thought of failure made my chest tighten. I had tried courses before, abandoned them when progress felt too slow, felt