[He takes a deep breath. Okay, if Misty was encouraging him...he needed to think it through. Cater shifts from foot to foot.]

I think I'm just...surprised. Maybe I got too used to things being the way they are. It's kind of scary thinking that a new chapter is starting, but...kind of exciting, too? I always used to dread the idea of transitioning, because that meant starting over, and I'd feel so helpless. That was why I got here in the first place--because thinking about graduating from school after I'd spent years there when I'd never had that much time in one place before--the idea made me completely fall apart.

[He rubs one arm, looking sheepish.]

But I'm not going to do that, now. Cut everyone out and pretend I don't care, I mean. I want to actually...move forward with a real plan, and hold onto things that mean a lot to me even if that opens me up to any of the harder things that come with it. I guess it helps that I know I won't be doing it alone.

[So...maybe he was ready, after all. To really be standing here and find himself not being so desperate to stay.]