"They really had to slam the door in my face, didn't they?" Lee sighed as he stood in front of the place he called his home.

The harsh words could still be heard, ringing in his ears.

Lee could feel the bubbling of panic and emotions. It only reminded him that things were over and that he was forced into the unknown.

His eyes trailed down the door and landed on the pack that he used to use for school before he had dropped out. Instead of holding the textbooks and notes for his classes, it contained a few articles of clothing and some random items of food -- some that were just vegetables about to spoil.

Even though he knew that standing in front of the door wouldn't solve anything, Lee couldn't help but stay close to the last place he lived back when his mom was still alive.

Tears began to well up as his vision blurred.

He pushed up his glasses and wiped away the tears with one hand.

"I'm sorry, mom. I really let you down." Lee thought to himself -- wishing he could hear his mother's gentle voice that would always encourage him that things would get better.

He reached for the pack on the ground.

Compared to the previous times he had picked up his pack, it felt heavier despite not having much inside. Putting his arms through the shoulder straps, Lee now had everything he owned on his body.

Turning around, there were only a few lights on in the neighborhood -- typical for a suburb.

With how late it was, most of the people in the nearby homes were already asleep -- to prepare for the next day. The activity would start again as the sun rises and people start waking off and getting ready to head off to work. Kids would leave their homes to wait for the buses to pick them up and take them to school.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

It was an experience that never seemed to change -- a positive of suburban life. The day-to-day life remaining the same and the security were why people eventually moved out of the city.

The problem was that if anyone didn't fit into the mold, neighbors would begin to gossip. There would be whispers about how such behavior could affect the property value or the need to keep their kids away from such poor influences.

Thinking about how he'd no longer see the familiar sight, Lee didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

Walking off the front porch, the sounds of his steps felt like they echoed on the concrete path that connected to the driveway.

As he walked on the path, Lee couldn't help but remember the numerous days he had to mow the lawn or shovel snow off of the driveway and porch. It was funny that he thought about such things. Either regular tasks -- often interrupting his gaming sessions -- were something he never enjoyed. His dad would yell for him to get outside and cut the grass or clear away the snow.

Having his headphones on, Lee wouldn't hear the first time his dad called out to him, leading his dad to barge into his room and threaten to take away gaming privileges.

"I wonder what dad will think when he hears that I was kicked out?" Lee wondered. He couldn't picture of realistic reaction, making him dismiss the thought.

Stepping onto the road, Lee couldn't help but look in both directions for any cars that may be driving.

As he stood at the edge of the property that used to belong to him, he turned his head to look at the tan-colored single-story house where he had lived and called home for more than a decade.

Returning to look at the road, deciding which way to walk came into mind.

"I'm not left with much of a choice...," Lee took a deep breath to gain control of his emotions that still wanted to drive him into despair.

Thinking of which direction to travel, in his mind, Lee tried to think of anyone that would be willing to let him crash on the couch for the night.

But as he went through the mental list, it soon dawned upon him that most of the people he knew -- that he'd consider being friends -- either moved away after gaining a full-time job or have started their own families in other territories.

Within a few hours of driving, the few that he knew had stopped associating with him.

Realizing that he didn't even have friends created more pressure on Lee.

"I really am trash," Lee chuckled as his heart sank.

Not thinking there was any correct direction, Lee just started walking on the street.