u/Ok_Foot_5477

Part 13 What Comes After

Summer moved in without asking permission.

One day it was still school, drama, noise in hallways.

The next it was just heat, open time, and too many hours to think.

Amy stopped checking her phone as much.

Not because she was trying to.

Because there was nothing pulling her toward it anymore.

Dave didn’t call again.

The unknown number didn’t show up either.

At first that silence felt strange.

Then it started feeling normal.

And that scared her a little more than anything else had.

⸻

Sarah still stayed around.

But she acted different now.

Less intense.

Less sharp.

Like she didn’t know what role she was supposed to play anymore.

One afternoon they sat outside eating something they didn’t really talk about.

Sarah broke the silence first.

“So… are you okay okay, or just okay?”

Amy thought about it.

“I think I’m just okay,” she said.

Sarah nodded slowly.

“That’s fair.”

A pause.

Then Sarah added, “Do you regret it?”

Amy didn’t answer right away.

Not because she didn’t know.

But because the answer wasn’t simple.

“No,” she said finally. “I don’t think I regret it.”

Sarah looked at her.

“But?”

Amy looked down at her hands.

“But it didn’t feel like a clean ending.”

Sarah nodded like she understood that too well.

“Most endings aren’t,” she said.

⸻

At night, Amy sometimes still opened old messages.

Not to reread them fully.

Just to see them exist.

Proof that it all happened.

Dave’s name still sat in her contacts.

She didn’t delete it.

Not yet.

Not because she was hoping.

More because deleting it felt like deciding something she wasn’t ready to fully define.

One night, she hovered over it.

Then locked her phone instead.

⸻

A week before college orientation, Amy got a package.

No return address at first glance.

She opened it slowly.

Inside was a small note.

Handwritten.

Not long.

Just a few lines.

Amy read it twice.

Dave

I’m not trying to reopen anything.

I just wanted to say I hope you’re walking into college lighter than when you walked out of prom.

You didn’t deserve confusion.

I hope you find something that feels clear for you.

That’s all.

No pressure to respond.

Amy sat down slowly after reading it.

She didn’t cry.

But she stayed very still for a long time.

Then she folded the note carefully and put it back in the box.

⸻

Orientation came fast after that.

New campus.

New buildings.

New people everywhere.

Amy stood in the crowd holding her schedule.

Everything felt unfamiliar in a way that wasn’t bad.

Just new.

Sarah texted her.

Sarah
you good

Amy looked around.

Then typed back.

Amy
yeah

Amy
i think i’m good

And for the first time in a long time

she believed what she was saying.

Not because everything was fixed.

But because nothing was pulling her backward anymore.

She looked up at the campus ahead of her.

Took a breath.

And walked in.

Part 12 After Everything

The next few days felt wrong in a quiet way.

Not painful all the time.

Just empty in moments she used to expect something.

Amy would reach for her phone and stop halfway.

No reason to check.

Nothing to wait for.

Dave didn’t text again after that last message.

Not right away.

Not aggressively.

Just gone in a way that felt more final than an argument ever could have been.

Sarah noticed first.

“You’ve been quiet,” she said one afternoon.

Amy shrugged.

“I’m fine.”

Sarah gave her a look.

“That’s your new thing now.”

Amy didn’t argue.

Because there wasn’t much to argue about anymore.

⸻

At school, everything kept moving like normal.

People talked about prom like it was already old news.

Senior plans started replacing everything else.

Amy heard fragments of conversations in hallways that used to matter more than they did now.

College decisions.

Summer jobs.

Future roommates.

Future everything.

Her future felt solid on paper.

Less solid in her chest.

⸻

One afternoon, Amy was sitting outside when her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

She almost didn’t answer.

Then she did.

“Amy?” a voice said.

She froze slightly.

“Yeah.”

It was Dave.

Not dramatic.

Not emotional.

Just careful.

“I didn’t know if you’d pick up,” he said.

“I wasn’t going to call,” Amy replied honestly.

A pause.

Then Dave said, “I just wanted to check in.”

Amy looked down at the ground.

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “I guess I just… wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

Amy exhaled slowly.

“I’m okay,” she said.

Another pause.

“I am too,” he said.

That should’ve been simple.

But it wasn’t.

Because it didn’t fix anything between them.

It just proved they were still thinking about each other in different places.

⸻

Amy finally asked, “Why are you calling from a different number?”

“My old phone’s been off,” he said. “I didn’t want to keep showing up on your notifications if you needed space.”

That surprised her.

She didn’t know how to respond to that.

So she didn’t.

⸻

A few seconds passed.

Then Dave said something quieter.

“I keep thinking about what you said.”

Amy tightened her grip on the phone.

“Which part?”

“The guessing part,” he said.

Silence.

Amy sat up a little straighter.

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“I didn’t understand it at first,” he admitted. “But I do now.”

Amy waited.

He continued.

“I think I thought if I was honest, that would be enough. But I didn’t realize how much not being there made everything feel unclear for you.”

Amy didn’t interrupt.

“I can’t change that part,” he said. “I can only say I get it now.”

Amy closed her eyes for a second.

“I know,” she said.

Another pause.

Then Dave asked, “Do you hate me?”

Amy opened her eyes fast.

“No,” she said immediately.

That was the easiest answer she had given in a long time.

Dave exhaled.

“Okay,” he said quietly.

They both went silent again.

Not because there was nothing left to say.

Because anything else felt like reopening something that already closed.

⸻

Before hanging up, Dave said, “I hope college is good for you.”

Amy looked out toward the street.

“Yeah,” she said. “Me too.”

A pause.

Then he added, “You deserved better communication than what I gave you.”

Amy didn’t argue.

She just said, “I needed something I could feel.”

“I know,” he said.

And that was it.

No apology loop.

No fixing it.

Just understanding sitting between them like a final version of the truth.

⸻

After the call ended, Amy stayed still for a long time.

Phone in her hand.

Screen dark.

No notifications waiting behind it.

Just quiet.

She didn’t cry.

She didn’t smile.

She just sat there with the feeling that something big had ended without a moment announcing it.

And for the first time

she didn’t try to replay it to find where it went wrong.

She just let it be over.

Part 11 The Space Between

Dave didn’t leave right away.

He just sat there like he was waiting for the moment to feel less real.

Amy stayed standing near her desk, holding the acceptance letter like it weighed more than paper should.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

Finally Dave said, “So what happens now.”

Amy didn’t look at him at first.

“I don’t know,” she said again.

But this time it didn’t sound like confusion.

It sounded like acceptance.

Dave nodded slowly like he understood what that meant even if he didn’t want to.

“I wish I handled things better,” he said.

Amy finally looked at him.

“I wish I didn’t have to question everything,” she replied.

That landed quiet.

Not dramatic.

Just final in a way neither of them could ignore anymore.

Dave stood up.

He didn’t rush.

Didn’t argue.

Just slow.

Like he was trying to memorize the room before leaving it.

“I care about you,” he said.

“I know,” Amy replied.

A pause.

Then Dave added, “I really did try.”

Amy nodded.

“I know that too.”

That was the problem.

They both knew it.

But knowing wasn’t enough anymore.

⸻

He walked toward the door.

Amy followed him, but stopped a few steps behind.

He turned back.

For a second, it looked like he might say something else.

Something that would fix it.

But nothing came.

Instead he gave a small nod.

Not angry.

Not emotional.

Just tired.

“Take care of yourself,” he said.

“You too,” Amy replied.

Then he left.

The door closed softly.

No slam.

No dramatic sound.

Just final.

Amy stood there for a moment after he was gone.

Listening to the quiet that followed.

It didn’t feel empty.

It felt rearranged.

Like something important had been removed and the room was still adjusting to the shape it left behind.

She walked back to her bed and sat down.

The acceptance letter was still there.

She picked it up again.

Read her name.

Read the words she had been waiting for without realizing how much everything else would shift at the same time.

Then she set it down carefully.

Her phone buzzed once.

A message from Dave.

Dave
i’m sorry for everything

Amy stared at it.

Her fingers hovered over the screen.

Then she typed slowly.

Amy
me too

She didn’t send anything else.

Because there wasn’t anything else that made sense to say.

Not anymore.

Outside her window, the night kept going like nothing had changed.

And for the first time since graduation

Amy didn’t feel like she was waiting for the next message.

She felt like she had finally reached the end of one.

Part 10 The Acceptance Letter

The car ride back from prom felt longer than it should have.

Amy didn’t talk.

Dave didn’t either.

It wasn’t the kind of silence that felt calm.

It was the kind that felt like both of them were waiting for the other one to say something that would change everything, but neither of them knew what that something was.

When they got to Amy’s house, Dave parked but didn’t get out right away.

Amy sat with her hand on the door handle.

“You coming in?” she asked.

Dave hesitated.

“Yeah,” he said finally.

Inside, everything felt too normal for what was happening between them.

Amy’s room. Her bed. Her nightstand.

Like nothing outside had changed the way it had.

Dave sat on the edge of the bed.

Amy stayed standing for a moment.

Then she noticed something on her nightstand.

A plain envelope.

She frowned.

“What is that?” Dave asked, following her gaze.

Amy walked over slowly.

“I don’t know,” she said.

She picked it up.

Her name was printed on the front.

Her stomach tightened slightly.

“I think it’s from the school,” she said.

Dave leaned forward.

“Open it.”

Amy shook her head slightly.

“I don’t care right now.”

Dave frowned.

“Just open it.”

Amy looked at him.

Something in his face said he wasn’t trying to distract her.

He just wanted her to see it.

So she sat down.

Slowly opened the envelope.

Took out the letter.

Read it.

Silence filled the room.

Dave watched her.

Amy’s expression changed but not in a dramatic way.

More like something settling into place that didn’t match what she expected.

Dave spoke softly.

“What does it say?”

Amy blinked.

Then looked at him.

“I got in,” she said.

Dave’s face shifted immediately.

For a second, everything else disappeared.

“You got in?” he repeated.

Amy nodded slowly.

“Yeah.”

A pause.

Then Dave smiled.

Not forced.

Not small.

Real.

“That’s huge,” he said.

Amy let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“Yeah,” she said again.

But her voice didn’t fully match her words.

Dave stood up.

“You should be happy,” he said gently.

“I am,” she replied.

But she wasn’t smiling yet.

Not fully.

Because the letter felt like it belonged to a different version of her life.

One where things made sense.

One where everything else wasn’t so complicated.

Dave stepped closer.

“You look beautiful in that dress by the way,” he said softly.

Amy gave a small smile.

“Thanks,” she said.

They stood there for a moment.

Not hugging.

Not arguing.

Just suspended.

Then Amy finally said what had been sitting in her chest for weeks.

“I don’t think I can keep doing the guessing part.”

Dave went still.

“What guessing part?” he asked quietly.

Amy looked down at the letter in her hands.

“This,” she said. “Not knowing what’s real until I already feel bad about it.”

Dave’s voice dropped.

“I’ve been telling you what’s real.”

“I know,” she said.

“But I don’t feel it,” she added.

Silence.

That landed harder than anything before.

Dave sat back down slowly.

“So what are you saying?” he asked.

Amy didn’t answer right away.

Because this time, there wasn’t confusion in her mind.

Just clarity she didn’t want.

“I think we’re trying too hard to hold onto something that keeps slipping,” she said.

Dave looked

Part 9 Prom Night and Silence

Amy didn’t talk much the next day.

She answered messages. Ate something. Did normal things.

But her mind stayed somewhere else.

With Dave’s voice.

With the papers he showed her.

With the way he said I will do better like it could fix something that already felt cracked.

Dave texted her in the morning.

Dave
did you sleep okay

Amy stared at it.

Amy
not really

Dave
me neither

Amy
are you coming back tonight or tomorrow

Dave
tonight

Amy didn’t reply after that.

Because she didn’t know what to say without making everything heavier.

⸻

Prom night came faster than she expected.

Amy stood in front of her mirror for a long time.

Dress on.

Hair done.

Phone on the bed.

She looked like she was supposed to be excited.

But she wasn’t really thinking about prom.

She was thinking about Dave sitting in his dorm.

Or walking a hallway.

Or being somewhere she couldn’t fully see.

Sarah called before she left.

“You ready?” Sarah asked.

“No,” Amy said honestly.

A pause.

“That’s fair,” Sarah replied.

Amy picked up her bag.

“I don’t even know why I’m going,” she said.

“Because life doesn’t stop,” Sarah said.

Amy sighed.

“Easy for you to say.”

Sarah didn’t argue.

“I’ll meet you there,” she said.

⸻

Prom was loud in the same way everything had been loud lately.

Music. Lights. People trying too hard to make the night feel bigger than it was.

Amy stood near the edge of the room with a drink she barely touched.

Sarah found her quickly.

“You look pretty,” Sarah said.

Amy gave a small smile.

“Thanks.”

They stood together for a while without talking.

Then Sarah said, “Have you heard from him?”

Amy shook her head.

“Not today.”

Sarah nodded.

“Do you want to call him?”

Amy hesitated.

“I don’t know what I would even say anymore.”

Sarah didn’t push it.

⸻

Later that night, Amy stepped outside.

Just to breathe.

The air felt cooler out there.

Less crowded.

She pulled out her phone.

No new messages.

She typed Dave’s name.

Paused.

Then locked her phone again.

A few seconds later it buzzed.

Dave
you at prom

Amy
yeah

Dave
can we talk after

Amy stared at that message.

Amy
about what

Three dots appeared.

Then stopped.

Then came back.

Dave
everything

Amy’s stomach tightened.

Amy
ok

⸻

Prom ended without feeling like an ending.

Just noise slowly fading out.

People leaving in groups.

Cars pulling up.

Amy stood outside waiting.

Sarah came out beside her.

“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” Sarah asked.

“I’m fine,” Amy said.

But she didn’t feel fine.

⸻

Dave showed up twenty minutes later.

He got out of the car slowly.

Like he already knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

Amy didn’t move toward him.

He walked up anyway.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied.

A pause.

He looked at her dress for a second.

“You look beautiful,” he said quietly.

Amy nodded once.

“Thanks.”

Silence stretched between them.

Then Dave said, “I’ve been thinking a lot.”

“So have I,” Amy replied.

He swallowed.

“I don’t think I’m cheating on you,” he said carefully. “I know I’m not.”

Amy looked at him.

“I know,” she said.

That confused him.

“But I think I’m losing you anyway,” he added.

Amy didn’t respond right away.

Because that part was true.

Just not in the way he meant.

She finally said, “I don’t feel crazy anymore.”

Dave frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Amy looked down at her hands.

“It means I stopped trying to explain how I feel in a way that makes you comfortable,” she said.

Silence.

Then Dave spoke quietly.

“So what happens now?”

Amy looked at him.

And for the first time since graduation

she didn’t answer like she was hoping things would fix themselves.

“I don’t know,” she said.

And that honesty felt heavier than any accusation so far.

⸻

End of Part 9

Part 8 The Letter

The day Dave came home felt different before anything even happened.

Amy noticed it the second she woke up.

Not because anything was loud or obvious.

Because everything felt too still.

Dave texted her early.

Dave
i’m back in town

Amy stared at it for a few seconds before replying.

Amy
when do you want to talk

Dave
soon

Amy
like now

Dave
give me a little time

That last message made her chest tighten.

She didn’t like that he needed time.

Time usually meant something had already gone wrong.

⸻

He showed up in the afternoon.

Amy saw him from the window before he even knocked.

He stood there for a second like he wasn’t sure how to start.

Then he knocked.

Amy opened the door.

They didn’t hug right away.

That alone felt wrong.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied.

He stepped inside slowly.

His bag stayed by the door.

They sat in the living room like it was an interview neither of them had prepared for.

Amy spoke first.

“Talk.”

Dave nodded.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain everything without it sounding like I’m defending myself,” he said.

Amy watched him closely.

“Then don’t defend yourself,” she said. “Just tell me the truth.”

He looked at her for a moment.

Then nodded again.

“Okay.”

A pause.

“There’s a lot of people in my dorm who are always doing things together,” he said. “Hallway stuff. Music. Talking. Random hangouts. It all blends together.”

Amy didn’t interrupt.

“I didn’t think it was important to update you on every single moment,” he continued. “Because nothing was happening. It was just… noise.”

Amy’s voice stayed calm.

“It didn’t feel like noise to me.”

Dave nodded slowly.

“I know.”

Another pause.

Then Amy said, “Tara.”

His expression changed slightly.

Not guilt.

Just tired.

“What about her?” he asked.

Amy leaned forward a little.

“She’s always there.”

“I know,” he said.

“And you’re always in her stories.”

“I don’t control what she posts,” he replied.

Amy’s voice tightened.
“I’m not asking about control.”

Silence again.

Dave rubbed his forehead.

“I don’t want this to turn into something it isn’t,” he said.

Amy looked at him.

“What is it then?”

He hesitated.

Then reached into his bag.

Amy froze slightly.

“What are you doing?”

He pulled out a folded paper.

“I didn’t want to show you this over text,” he said.

Amy stared at it.

“What is it?”

He handed it to her.

“It’s a screenshot dump from my dorm group chat,” he said. “And messages from earlier this week.”

Amy didn’t move for a second.

Then slowly took it.

She unfolded it.

There were messages.

People talking about hallway meetups.

Someone tagging Dave.

Jokes.

Random plans.

Then one message stood out.

A picture someone had posted of Dave walking through the hallway with a caption that said

“bro is always in the middle of everything lol”

Amy frowned.

Then flipped the page.

More messages.

Tara’s name came up in a few of them.

Nothing dramatic.

Just normal college chatter.

But it looked messy.

Loud.

Overlapping.

Like a world that didn’t have clear edges.

Amy lowered the papers slightly.

“This is what you wanted me to see?” she asked.

Dave nodded.

“I wanted you to see that it’s not just one thing,” he said. “It’s everything happening at once. And it looks worse from the outside than it is inside it.”

Amy didn’t answer immediately.

Because part of it made sense.

But part of it still didn’t fix the feeling in her chest.

She handed the papers back slowly.

“I believe you,” she said finally.

Dave exhaled like he had been holding his breath.

“But?” he asked.

Amy hesitated.

Then said it honestly.

“But I don’t feel better.”

Silence.

That hit him harder than anything else she had said.

⸻

Amy looked down at her hands.

“I don’t know what changed,” she said quietly. “But I feel like I’m always behind whatever is happening.”

Dave spoke softly.

“I don’t want to lose you over misunderstandings,” he said.

Amy looked up at him.

“Then stop making me feel like I’m guessing,” she replied.

He nodded slowly.

“I will do better,” he said.

Amy studied his face.

“I need more than that,” she said.

Another pause.

Then Dave said, “I love you.”

Amy closed her eyes for a

Part 7 Promises Don’t Hold in the Dark

Amy barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes she saw the same things.

Hallway lights.

A group laughing.

Dave in the middle of it.

Tara standing too close to him in a way that never fully crossed a line, but never felt fully innocent either.

By morning, she felt exhausted before the day even started.

Dave called at 10:03.

Amy answered without waiting.

“Hey,” he said.

“Talk,” she replied.

A pause.

“I don’t like how this is going,” he said.

“Me neither,” Amy said immediately.

Another pause.

Then Dave spoke slower.

“I feel like no matter what I say, it’s not landing.”

Amy sat down on the edge of her bed.

“Then show me something that makes sense,” she said.

“I tried,” he said.

“No,” she replied. “You explained. That’s different.”

Silence.

Then Dave said, “What do you want from me?”

Amy hesitated.

That was the problem.

She didn’t know anymore.

“I want to feel like I actually know what’s happening,” she said finally.

“I’m telling you what’s happening,” he replied.

“But I’m not there,” she said. “So I don’t know what to believe.”

Dave exhaled.

“That’s the thing,” he said. “You shouldn’t need to be there to trust me.”

That hit differently.

Amy didn’t respond right away.

Because part of her agreed.

And part of her didn’t.

⸻

That afternoon, Sarah showed up at Amy’s house.

She didn’t even text first.

Just knocked and walked in like she already knew she would be let in.

Amy looked up from her bed.

“You look worse,” Sarah said.

“Thanks,” Amy muttered.

Sarah sat down anyway.

“What did he say?”

Amy told her.

Sarah listened without interrupting.

When Amy finished, Sarah leaned back.

“Okay,” she said again.

Amy frowned.

“You keep saying that.”

“Because I’m thinking,” Sarah replied.

Amy crossed her arms.

“About what?”

Sarah hesitated.

Then said, “About how long you’ve been stressed over the same thing with no real change.”

Amy looked away.

“That’s not fair,” she said.

“I know,” Sarah said. “But it’s still real.”

Amy didn’t respond.

Because she didn’t have a clean answer for that.

⸻

That night, Dave called again.

This time Amy let it ring longer before picking up.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied.

A pause.

Then Dave said, “I’m coming home next weekend for a bit.”

Amy sat up slightly.

“Why?”

“I need to see you,” he said.

Amy’s voice softened a little.

“Okay.”

Another pause.

“I don’t want us like this,” he added.

“Me neither,” she said.

They talked for a while after that.

Not about hallway photos.

Not about Tara.

Just normal things.

Old things.

It almost felt like before.

Almost.

But not fully.

Because something still sat between every sentence now.

Unspoken.

Waiting.

⸻

The next day, Amy opened her phone and saw it immediately.

Tara posted a story.

But this one wasn’t just a hallway.

It was outside.

A small group standing near a dorm entrance.

Laughing.

Talking.

And there was Dave.

Standing slightly apart from the group now.
Looking at his phone.

Amy zoomed in without thinking.

Then stopped herself.

Her breathing felt uneven.

She locked her phone.

Then stared at the screen even after it was off.

Later that night, Dave texted her.

Dave
tomorrow i’ll explain everything in person

Amy stared at that message for a long time.

Then typed back.

Amy
you better

Dave
i will

But even as she sent it

she realized something didn’t feel like it was going to be solved tomorrow.

It felt like something was about to break open instead.

Part 6 The Truth Starts to Crack

Dave stayed quiet for too long.

That silence changed everything.

“Amy,” he finally said, softer, “it’s just a hallway. People are always taking pictures here. Tara was just there when someone started recording.”

Amy sat on her bed, staring at the wall.

“That’s not what I’m asking,” she said.

“I know,” he replied.

Another pause.

Then Amy said, “I keep hearing you explain it, but nothing is getting clearer.”

Dave let out a breath.

“Because nothing is happening,” he said. “That’s the point.”

Amy’s voice tightened.

“Then why does it feel like I’m the only one not there?”

He didn’t answer right away.

That hurt more than anything he had said so far.

⸻

The next morning, Amy didn’t text him first.

She waited.

Hours passed.

Nothing.

Sarah called instead.

Amy almost didn’t pick up.

Then she did.

“You didn’t text me,” Sarah said immediately.

“I know,” Amy replied.

A pause.

“Did he explain anything more?” Sarah asked.

“No.”

Sarah was quiet for a second.

Then she said, “Amy… I need you to listen to me.”

Amy leaned back on her bed.

“I am listening.”

“This isn’t about one picture,” Sarah said. “It’s about patterns.”

“What patterns?”

“How he’s always in the middle of something, but never fully explains it,” Sarah said. “And how you always end up guessing.”

Amy frowned.

“That’s not fair.”

“I’m not trying to be fair,” Sarah said. “I’m trying to be honest.”

Amy didn’t respond.

Because part of her hated that it made sense.

⸻

That night, Dave finally called again.

Amy let it ring once.

Twice.

Then answered.

“Hey,” she said flatly.

“Hey,” he replied.

“You’ve been quiet,” she said.

“I’ve been busy,” he said quickly.

“With what?” she asked.

A pause.

“Classes,” he said. “Orientation stuff. Trying to get used to everything.”

Amy closed her eyes.

“You said that already.”

“I know,” he said.

Another silence.

Then Amy asked, “Why does it feel like I’m always hearing about things after they happen?”

Dave exhaled.

“I don’t know how else to explain it,” he said. “It’s just college. Things happen fast here.”

Amy sat up.

“So I just miss everything?”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly.

“But that’s how it feels,” she replied.

He went quiet again.

Then, quieter, “I miss you.”

Amy didn’t answer right away.

Because she did too.

But missing someone didn’t fix this feeling.

⸻

The next afternoon, Amy opened social media again.

She didn’t mean to.

She just did.

Tara’s story loaded instantly.

Hallway again.

But this time different.

People laughing. Music louder. Someone holding a phone closer to faces.

Dave was there again.

But this time he was looking at the camera.

Smiling.

Not doing anything wrong.

Not doing anything specific.

Just there.

Amy stared at it longer than she should have.

Then she noticed something she hadn’t before.

Tara’s arm.

Close to where Dave was standing.

Not touching him.

But close enough that the framing felt intentional.

Amy locked her phone.

Then unlocked it again.

Then locked it again.

Her chest felt tight in a way she couldn’t explain properly.

Not anger.

Not sadness.

Something stuck in between.

⸻

That night, Dave texted.

Dave
can we talk for real tomorrow

Amy stared at the message for a long time.

Then replied.

Amy
yeah

Dave
i don’t want this getting worse

Amy didn’t answer that one.

Because she already felt like it was too late for that.

And she still didn’t know what she was supposed to believe anymore.

But for the first time

she stopped trusting the space between his words.

And started trusting the silence inside them instead.

Part 5 A Picture Isn’t the Whole Story

Dave called before Amy could even put her phone down.

She answered on the first ring.

“I’m here,” he said.

Amy didn’t say anything at first.

She was still looking at Tara’s story on her screen.

“Did you see it?” Dave asked.

“Yes,” Amy said.

A pause.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said quickly.

Amy finally spoke.

“I didn’t say you did.”

But her voice didn’t sound like she believed that.

Dave went quiet for a second.

“I feel like I’m losing you over stuff I can’t even control,” he said.

Amy sat down on her bed.

“I’m not trying to do that.”

“Then what are we doing?” he asked.

That question landed heavy.

Amy looked down at her hands.

“I don’t know,” she said honestly.

Silence.

Then Dave spoke softer.

“I keep trying to explain things, but it feels like it’s not enough.”

Amy swallowed.

“Then help me understand.”

“I am,” he said.

“But you’re also not showing me anything,” she replied.

Another pause.

Then Dave said something that shifted the tone.

“Amy… I didn’t cheat on you.”

Her chest tightened.

“I never said you did,” she repeated.

“But you’re thinking it,” he said.

Amy didn’t answer fast enough.

And that was enough.

⸻

Later that day, Amy talked to Sarah again.

She didn’t want to.

But she did anyway.

Sarah picked up fast.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Amy said.

“You sound worse.”

“Thanks,” Amy muttered.

Sarah didn’t joke back this time.

“What happened?”

Amy hesitated.

Then told her everything.

The hallway party.

The missing phone.

The story again.

The feeling she couldn’t shake.

When she finished, Sarah was quiet for a long moment.

Then she said, “Okay.”

Just that.

Amy frowned.

“That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say?” Sarah asked.

“I don’t know,” Amy said. “Tell me I’m not crazy.”

Sarah exhaled.

“You’re not crazy,” she said.

But it didn’t sound comforting.

It sounded careful.

Like she was choosing her words.

Amy rubbed her forehead.

“I just feel like I’m missing something,” she said.

“That’s because you are,” Sarah replied immediately.

Amy went still.

“What does that mean?”

Sarah hesitated.

“I don’t know,” she said quickly. “I just mean you’re not there. You’re not seeing everything.”

Amy didn’t like that answer.

But she didn’t have a better one.

⸻

That night, Dave sent a photo.

It was his desk.

Messy. Charger plugged in. Books stacked wrong. Normal.

Dave
just got back from orientation stuff

Amy stared at it.

Amy
where were you earlier

Three dots appeared.

Then disappeared.

Then came back.

Dave
around campus

Amy
with who

A longer pause this time.

Dave
people from my floor

Amy didn’t reply right away.

Because the words felt too simple for how everything felt.

Then her phone buzzed again.

A new notification.

Tara posted a story.

Amy opened it instantly without thinking.

Hallway again.

But this time closer.

Louder.

Someone holding the camera at arm’s length.

And there was Dave.

Not in the background this time.

Right in the middle.

Tara standing near him.

Close enough that Amy’s brain filled in the space without meaning to.

Amy stopped breathing for a second.

Then locked her phone.

Her hands felt cold.

Dave called right after.

She let it ring twice.

Then answered.

“I saw it,” she said immediately.

“I know,” Dave replied.

His voice sounded tired now.

“I swear it’s not what you think,” he said.

Amy closed her eyes.

“Then what is it?” she asked.

And for the first time

he didn’t answer fast enough.

Part 4 The Hall Party

Amy told herself she was not going to check her phone again.

She lasted twelve minutes.

Then she checked it anyway.

Nothing.

No call. No text. No missed call.

Just silence sitting there like it was normal.

She put the phone face down and tried to focus on homework, but the words on the page did not stay still in her mind. They kept slipping back into hallway music, blurry photos, and Dave’s voice sounding different the night before.

At 8:42 p.m. her phone finally lit up.

Dave
hey you up

Amy picked it up immediately.

Amy
yeah

Amy
what’s going on

Three dots appeared fast.

Dave
can you talk

Amy
yeah call me

The call came instantly.

“Hey,” Amy said.

“Hey,” Dave replied.

His voice was loud in a different way now. Not calm. Not steady.

Amy sat up straighter.

“What happened?”

He hesitated.

“I just need to tell you something before you see it somewhere else.”

Amy’s stomach dropped.

“See what?”

Another pause.

“Just listen,” he said.

That made it worse.

“Dave,” she said more firmly. “Just say it.”

He exhaled.

“There was a thing in the hallway tonight.”

Amy went quiet.

“What kind of thing.”

“A lot of people were hanging out,” he said. “It was supposed to be small, but it turned into like… everyone showing up.”

Amy’s grip tightened on her phone.

“Were you there?”

“Yes,” he said quickly. “But not like that.”

“Not like what?”

He paused again.

“I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Amy closed her eyes for a second.

“Okay,” she said. “Start from the beginning.”

⸻

Dave explained it in pieces.

How someone in his dorm said there was a small get together in the hall.

How it started casual. People just talking outside rooms.

How it turned loud fast.

How Tara showed up with a couple people from another floor.

Amy heard that name and didn’t react out loud, but her stomach tightened anyway.

“I was just standing there,” Dave said. “I wasn’t even planning to stay long.”

“Okay,” Amy said carefully.

“And then?” she asked.

He hesitated.

“And then it just turned into people taking pictures, laughing, whatever. My phone was dead for a bit so I couldn’t even text you.”

Amy opened her mouth, then stopped.

“You didn’t tell me any of this earlier,” she said.

“I know,” he said fast. “I should’ve.”

Silence.

Then Amy asked the question she didn’t want to ask.

“Were you with Tara?”

Another pause.

“We were all in the same hallway,” he said carefully.

Amy sat up fully now.

“That is not what I asked.”

He sighed.

“No,” he said. “I wasn’t with her like that.”

But the way he said it did not fully settle anything.

⸻

Amy stayed quiet for a moment.

Then she asked, “Send me something.”

“What?”

“Something from tonight. A picture. Anything.”

There was a pause on the line.

“I don’t have my phone with me right now,” he said.

Amy froze.

“Why not.”

“I left it in my room charging.”

Her voice got quieter.

“So you were out without your phone all night?”

“Yeah,” he said.

Another pause.

“That’s normal here,” he added quickly.

Amy didn’t respond right away.

She looked at her own phone like it might explain what she was feeling.

“I don’t like this,” she said finally.

“I know,” Dave said. “But nothing happened.”

Amy didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t know what she believed anymore.

⸻

The next morning, Amy woke up to a notification.

Tara posted a story.

She opened it without thinking.

It was a hallway shot again.

People packed together.

Someone holding drinks.

Music blurring in the background.

Dave was there.

Standing slightly turned toward the camera.

Smiling.

Not alone.

Not doing anything specific.

But there.

Amy stared at it longer than she meant to.

Then she zoomed in.

Then stopped herself.

Her phone buzzed.

Dave
morning

Amy stared at the message.

Then typed slowly.

Amy
we need to talk

Three dots appeared immediately.

Dave
about what

Amy didn’t answer right away.

Because for the first time

she didn’t even know how to explain it without sounding crazy.

And that scared her more than anything else so far.

Part 3 Missed Calls

The next morning felt too quiet.

Amy woke up and checked her phone before she even fully sat up.

No new messages.

She stared at the screen for a second longer than she meant to.

Then she typed.

Amy
Good morning

She waited.

A minute.

Then five.

Nothing.

She got up and started getting ready anyway, but her focus kept slipping. Toothbrush in her hand. Water running too long. Phone face down on the counter like it might suddenly decide to buzz.

At 9:14 a notification finally came in.

Dave
morning sorry just woke up

Amy relaxed a little.

Amy
you good

Dave
yeah just late night stuff in the dorm

Amy paused before replying.

Amy
what kind of stuff

Three dots appeared.

Then stopped.

Then nothing.

A few seconds later.

Dave
just people talking in the hallway. nothing serious

Amy stared at that message.

Something about it felt incomplete.

But she let it go.

For now.

⸻

That afternoon, Sarah called.

Amy almost ignored it.

Then answered anyway.
“Hey,” Sarah said.

“Hey.”

“You sound tired.”

“I am.”

A pause.

Then Sarah asked, “Did he text you?”

“Yeah.”

“Did it feel normal?”

Amy leaned against her counter.

“I guess.”

Sarah didn’t respond right away.

That silence again.

Amy frowned. “What?”

“I just don’t like how fast things changed,” Sarah said.

“They didn’t change,” Amy replied.

Another pause.

“Okay,” Sarah said, but it didn’t sound like she agreed.

Amy changed the subject fast.

“I’m just trying to let him settle in.”

“Mm,” Sarah said.

Then, quieter, “Just don’t ignore your gut.”

Amy’s grip tightened on her phone.

“My gut is fine.”

“Is it though?” Sarah asked.

Amy didn’t answer that.

⸻

That night, Dave called her.

Amy answered immediately.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey,” he said back, but his voice sounded off.

“You okay?” Amy asked.

“Yeah,” he said too quickly.

A pause.

“I’ve just been busy,” he added.

“With what?” she asked.

He hesitated.

“Orientation stuff. Meeting people. Stuff like that.”

Amy nodded even though he couldn’t see her.

“Did you eat?”

“Yeah,” he said.

Another pause.

Then Amy heard voices in the background through the call.

Laughing.

Music.

A door closing.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“My room,” he said.

But the background didn’t match.

Amy sat down slowly.

“Dave.”

“Yeah?”

“Be honest with me.”

He sighed.

“I am being honest.”

But his voice had changed.

Slightly defensive now.

Amy didn’t push it.

“Okay,” she said.

They talked a little more after that.

Small things.

Classes. Dorm setup. Random stories.

But it didn’t feel the same.

There was a distance in the call that wasn’t physical.

It was something else.

⸻

The next morning, Amy woke up to a missed call.

Then another.

Then a text.

Dave
call me when you wake up

Her stomach tightened.

She called him immediately.

He picked up fast.

“Hey,” he said.

“What happened?” Amy asked.

“Nothing,” he said.

But he sounded stressed.

“Don’t do that,” she said.

“Do what?”

“Say nothing when something is clearly something.”

Silence.

Then he spoke slower.

“I just had a weird night.”

Amy sat down.

“What kind of weird?”

He exhaled.

“There’s a lot going on here. People are constantly in and out of rooms. Someone set off a fire alarm at like two in the morning. My roommate invited a bunch of people over. I didn’t even know half of them.”

Amy listened.

“Okay,” she said softly.

“I just didn’t really sleep,” he added.

Her voice softened a little.

“Why didn’t you tell me last night?”

“I didn’t want to stress you out.”

That line hit differently.

Amy frowned.

“I’d rather know than guess,” she said.

“I know,” he replied.

Another pause.

Then he added, “I’m figuring it out.”

Amy nodded even though he couldn’t see it.

“Okay.”

But something in her didn’t settle.

It just shifted again.

⸻

That afternoon, Amy opened social media without thinking.

Tara’s story was first.

Dorm hallway again.

This time louder.

Music. People crowded together. A group laughing near the stairwell.

Dave was in it.

Not the center.

But not on the edge either.

Right in the middle of everything.

Amy watched it twice.

Then locked her phone.

And didn’t open it again for a while.

That night, Dave didn’t call.

And Amy told herself it was fine.

Even though it didn’t feel fine at all.

Part 2 Two Dorms Away

Amy did not sleep much after graduation.

Not because she stayed up doing anything.

Because her mind would not stop replaying small moments.

Dave checking his phone.

Tara standing too close.

Sarah’s warning that kept echoing even when Amy tried to ignore it.

By morning, everything felt less like a memory and more like something unfinished.

Dave called her early.

She answered on the second ring.

Hey she said

Hey he replied

You okay

Yeah Amy said automatically

A pause

You do not sound okay Dave said

Amy sat down on her bed

I am just tired

Another pause

Last night felt weird he said

Yeah

I kept thinking about it he added

About what Amy asked

You and Sarah and Tara he said

Amy closed her eyes

Nothing happened she said quickly

Dave was quiet

That silence again

I know he said finally

I just feel like I am missing something

You are not Amy said

But her voice did not sound as steady as she wanted

He sighed

I am moving in soon

I know she said

Amy

Yeah

Promise me we are good

She hesitated just long enough for it to mean something

Yeah she said

We are good

He accepted it but not fully

Okay he said

I miss you already

I miss you too

They hung up

And Amy stayed sitting there longer than she needed to

Two days later

Move in day came faster than it should have

Dave’s campus looked nothing like Amy imagined

It was bigger louder more alive than anything she was used to

Students everywhere pulling suitcases talking over each other hugging like they were already part of something

Amy stood next to Dave outside his dorm building

This is it he said

Yeah she replied

He looked at her

You sure you do not want to come up

I am not supposed to she said

He nodded

Right

A pause

Then he smiled

Two dorms away though

Amy frowned

What

Tara said she is in the building two down from me he said

Amy felt something drop in her stomach but she kept her face neutral

Oh

He did not notice the shift

That is actually kind of funny he said

Yeah she said softly

Not funny at all

They carried his bags upstairs together

The dorm room was small

Basic

Already half filled with someone else’s energy

Dave dropped his suitcase and looked around

This is weird he said

Good weird or bad weird Amy asked

Both he said

She laughed lightly

He turned to her

You okay

Amy nodded

Yeah

But she was watching the door more than him

Downstairs they met his roommate

Friendly loud already talking about parties before even unpacking

Amy smiled when she had to

But her attention kept drifting

Because every time she looked down the hallway she kept thinking about what Tara had said

Two dorms away

Later they stood outside again

Amy had to leave soon

Dave walked her to the edge of campus

This is going to be fine he said

Yeah she replied

We will be okay he added

Amy nodded again

We have done distance before he said

This is just more space

Amy tried to believe him

Okay she said

He pulled her into a hug
Longer this time

Tighter

Like he was trying to remember how she felt

When he pulled away he smiled

Text me when you get home

I will she said

He hesitated

And Amy noticed it

What she asked

Nothing he said

Then he added

I just wish you were staying longer

Amy forced a smile

Me too

But she left anyway

And the second she got in the car she looked back at the building

Already feeling like something had shifted again

That night Dave texted her a lot

First unpacked room

Then roommate story

Then a picture of his desk

Amy replied every time

Short

Simple

But she kept checking her phone more than usual

Then around midnight

He stopped replying

Amy stared at the screen

Then saw a new notification

Tara posted a story

Amy hesitated before opening it

It was a hallway shot

Dorm hallway

People laughing music in the background

Dave was there

Standing near the group

Not alone

Not touching anyone

Just there

Amy stared at it for a long time

Then locked her phone

And turned off the light

But she did not really sleep

Part 1C The Quiet Turn

The ballroom did not feel the same anymore.

It was still loud. Still bright. Still full of people celebrating.

But for Amy, everything felt slightly out of sync now. Like she was standing a few seconds behind everyone else.

Dave stayed close for a while after that.

He tried to keep things normal.

He told her another story about his friends from college. He asked her about school. He made her laugh once, and it landed like it always did, but it did not stay.

It faded too fast.

Amy noticed herself watching him more than listening.

Not because she wanted to.

Because she could not stop.

At one point, Dave checked his phone again.

Amy saw it clearly this time.

Not a quick glance.

A pause.

A focus.

He frowned slightly.

What is it Amy asked

Nothing he said

That word again

Amy crossed her arms

You keep saying that

Dave exhaled

It is just people being weird in the group chat

What kind of weird

He hesitated

Then locked his phone and put it away
Forget it

Amy did not like that answer

But she let it go

For now

Sarah appeared again a few minutes later

She did not sit this time

She just stood beside Amy

You good she asked

Amy did not look at her

I do not know

Sarah nodded slowly like that was the answer she expected

Dave noticed the shift immediately

He looked between them

Am I missing something he asked

No Amy said

Sarah said nothing

That silence did more damage than words

Dave rubbed the back of his neck

I feel like I am walking into something I do not understand right now

You are not Amy said quickly

But even she did not believe how fast she said it

Tara showed up again after that

Of course she did

She walked past the group then stopped when she saw Dave

Hey she said casually

Hey Dave replied

Tara smiled

You coming to the little mix thing later

Amy looked up

What

It is just like a small thing Tara said lightly

For incoming students and grads

Dave blinked

I did not know about that

It is fine Tara said

No pressure

But everyone is going

There was a beat of silence

Amy watched Dave carefully

He looked unsure

I do not think I can he said

Why not Tara asked

Amy is here he said simply

That answer should have ended it

But it did not

Tara smiled like she expected it

That is sweet she said

Then she looked at Amy

You are lucky

Something about the way she said lucky made Amy uncomfortable

Tara turned back to Dave

We are all going anyway she said

You can come for a bit

Amy spoke before she could stop herself

It is okay you can go

Dave turned to her immediately

Are you sure

Amy forced a smile

Yeah it is fine

I will just be here

Dave hesitated longer than he should have

Then nodded

Okay

But he did not look convinced

Tara clapped lightly

Perfect she said

See you there

She walked away again

Like she always did

Leaving something behind without staying long enough to explain it

Dave looked at Amy

You really okay

Amy nodded

Yeah

He leaned in and kissed her forehead

I will be back soon

Amy watched him walk away with Tara and a few others

Sarah stayed beside her

You should not have said that Sarah said quietly

Amy did not respond

Because she was not sure anymore

Not sure about the party

Not sure about Tara

Not sure about Sarah

And definitely not sure about how quickly everything was starting to feel different

Her phone buzzed

A notification

Tara posted a story

Amy opened it without thinking

It was a group photo

Dave was in it

Standing near Tara

Close enough that it looked like they belonged in the same space

Amy stared at it longer than she meant to

Then locked her phone

Sarah watched her face

That is what I meant she said softly

Amy finally looked up

What

Sarah hesitated

Nothing

But Amy could feel it now

Something she had ignored all night was finally starting to settle into place

Not loud

Not obvious

Just there

And it did not feel good

Across the room Dave laughed at something Tara said

And Amy could not hear it

But she suddenly wanted to know what it was

End of Part 1

Part 1B Graduation Night Begins to Shift

The ballroom felt louder as the night went on.

People stopped posing for photos and started just living in the moment. Chairs were pushed back. Music got turned up. Someone knocked over a stack of napkins and nobody really cared enough to fix it.

Amy stayed close to Dave most of the time.

Not because she had to.

Because it felt natural.

Dave was telling a story about one of his professors when his phone buzzed.

He glanced at it then slipped it back into his pocket.

Amy noticed.

You can check it she said

It is nothing he said

That is not an answer

He pulled it out and looked again

Just group chat stuff he said

Amy nodded but something in her chest tightened anyway

Sarah appeared beside them holding a drink she was not really drinking

You two are cute she said

Amy raised an eyebrow

That sounded fake

It was not Sarah said

Dave laughed a little

Thanks I guess

Sarah looked at Dave for a second too long then turned back to Amy

I am going to grab food I will be right back

She walked away

Amy watched her go

Dave leaned closer

Your friend is intense

I know

Is she always like that

Pretty much

Dave nodded like he was filing that away somewhere

Another hour passed like that

Talking laughing small moments that felt easy enough to forget the world outside

Then Dave stepped away to take a call

Amy stayed at the table scrolling through nothing on her phone

Tara sat down across from her

Amy looked up surprised

Oh hey

Hey Tara said

Tara smiled but it was different now

Less polite more relaxed

You guys look serious she said

Amy blinked

What

You and Dave

Oh Amy said I guess

Tara nodded slowly

Long distance is hard

Yeah

Silence

Tara tilted her head

Do you trust him

Amy frowned

Why is everyone asking me that

Tara shrugged

Just wondering

Amy stood up a little straighter

Yeah I trust him

Tara smiled again

Good

Then she got up and walked away like she had only come over to drop something in the air and leave it there

Amy watched her go

Dave came back a minute later

Everything okay he asked

Yeah Amy said too fast

He noticed

You sure

I am fine

He studied her face for a second then nodded

Okay

But he did not sound convinced

Later the music shifted and people started dancing in small groups

Someone pulled Dave toward the center of the room

He looked back at Amy

I will be right here he said

Go Amy said smiling

He hesitated

You coming

In a bit she said

He nodded and walked off

Amy stayed near the edge of the room

Sarah came back with food and sat beside her

You look like you are thinking too hard Sarah said

I am not

You are

Amy sighed

Do you ever feel like people are watching things you are not seeing

Sarah paused

Sometimes

That is not helpful Amy said

I am being honest Sarah said

Amy looked toward the dance floor

Dave was there laughing moving with the group not paying attention to anything else

Then Tara appeared near him

Not touching him just close enough to be in the same space

Amy felt her stomach tighten again

Sarah followed her gaze

Oh Sarah said quietly

What Amy asked

Nothing Sarah said

But she did not look away

Dave stepped out of the group and walked toward Amy

Hey he said slightly out of breath

Hey

You okay you look off

I am fine Amy said again

He frowned

You keep saying that

Amy did not answer

His phone buzzed again

He pulled it out

Amy watched him this time more closely

He looked at it and sighed

I need to call you back later he said

Who was that Amy asked

Just my mom he said

Amy nodded slowly

He reached for her hand

I am still here okay

I know she said

But her voice did not sound like she meant it

Across the room Tara was talking to someone else now laughing like nothing had happened

Sarah leaned in slightly

I am not saying anything Sarah said

But

Amy cut her off

I know

Dave came closer again

What is going on he asked quietly

Amy looked at him

Nothing

He did not believe her

Neither did she

And somewhere in the noise of the ballroom something small started to shift without anyone naming it yet

Part 1A Graduation Day The Moment Everything Started Shifting

Amy woke up before her alarm.

Not because she wanted to. Because her stomach felt tight in a way she could not explain.

Today was graduation day.

Not hers.

Dave’s.

She lay there for a second staring at the ceiling listening to the quiet hum of the house. Her phone was already in her hand before she fully sat up.

One message.

Dave
You up yet?

She smiled instantly.

Amy
Yeah. I am awake. Nervous?

Dave
Me? Nah. You should see my mom. She is crying already.

Amy laughed under her breath.

Amy
Tell her it is not the end of the world.

Dave
I did. Did not work.

She got up slowly moving around her room while they texted. Clothes on the bed. Shoes by the door. Her mind half in the conversation half in the fact that today felt important in a way she did not fully understand yet.

Sarah called while she was brushing her hair.

Amy answered on speaker.

Do not tell me you are already texting him Sarah said.

I am literally just waking up.

That means yes.

Amy smiled. You are dramatic.

I am observant.

A pause.

Then Sarah’s voice shifted a little. Less joking.

You excited?

Yeah Amy said. It is just graduation. Why would not I be?

Sarah did not answer right away.

Amy did not notice that silence the way she should have.

The gym was louder than Amy expected.

Balloons tied to railings. People packed into folding chairs. Cameras clicking nonstop like background noise that never stopped.

Amy sat with Sarah near the middle rows.

You are going to get a cramp from smiling too much Sarah said.

I am not smiling too much

You literally smiled at a chair earlier

Amy pushed her lightly. Shut up

But she was smiling

Because Dave had texted again

Dave
Almost time. I will look for you after I walk

Amy
Do not trip on stage

Dave
No promises

She lowered her phone right as the lights dimmed.

The ceremony started.

Names. Applause. Names. Applause.

It all blurred together until

Sarah nudged her.

That is him

Amy looked up.

And there he was.

Blue gown. Slightly messy hair. That same expression like he was trying not to smile too hard but failing anyway.

He walked across the stage like it was nothing.

But Amy knew him better than that.

His parents stood up somewhere behind her cheering loud enough to echo.

Amy clapped until her hands hurt.

After it ended the gym spilled open like a bottle uncorked.

Families everywhere. Voices bouncing off walls. People yelling names across the chaos.

Amy stood on her toes scanning.

Over there Sarah said.

Amy followed her gaze.

Dave.

He saw her at the same time.

Everything around them got louder and quieter at once.

He started walking toward her.

Fast.

Then stopped like he remembered something.

Amy laughed. What

He pointed at his gown. I cannot hug you like this

Amy looked him up and down. You look like a walking tablecloth

Wow thank you

You are welcome

He stepped closer anyway.

So he said. I graduated

I noticed

He smiled. Did you cry

No

That is a lie

I might have almost

He nodded like that was acceptable evidence.

A pause settled between them. Not awkward. Just full.

Then Amy said quieter It feels weird

What does

This she said gesturing at everything. You not being here every day anymore

Yeah he said. It is weird for me too

You are still going to come back right

Obviously

And I will visit

You better

They both smiled again.

It should have felt normal.

It did not.

Not entirely.

Because something about the way people moved around them felt like a countdown nobody else could hear.

The photos started soon after.

Everyone wanted pictures.

Parents. Friends. Teachers.

Amy stood next to Dave for one.

Then another.

Then Sarah snapped one without asking.

You are posting that Amy said

I already did Sarah said

Amy groaned

Dave leaned closer to Amy. I think your friend is scary

She is

I heard that Sarah called

Dave laughed

Then Amy felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned.

A girl stood there holding her phone.

Tara.

Amy recognized her from school instantly. Always composed. Always watching more than she talked.

Hey Tara said smiling

Hey Amy replied

Tara tilted her head slightly. Do you mind if I grab a quick picture with just the seniors

Amy blinked

Oh. Yeah. Sure

Dave looked between them. We can all

It is fine Amy said quickly

Something about Tara’s tone made it feel like saying no was not really an option

Dave stepped back a little

Tara moved closer to the group of seniors nearby

Amy handed over the phone then stepped out of frame

Click

Click

Tara checked the screen and smiled. Perfect

Cool Amy said

Tara handed the phone back brushing past Dave slightly as she did

Not enough for anyone to comment on

But enough that Amy noticed Dave shift his weight afterward

Tara walked away

And did not look back

The party was at a hotel ballroom that felt too nice for how chaotic everything was inside it

Music. Food. Laughter.

Amy stood near the drinks table when Sarah came up again

You good Sarah asked

Yeah

You keep saying that

Amy sighed. What do you want me to say

Sarah leaned in slightly

I do not know. I just do not want you blindsided later

Amy frowned. By what

Sarah hesitated

Then she said Jamie was not expecting it either

Amy went still

Who is Jamie again

Sarah exhaled

Her boyfriend was perfect too. Everyone thought so

Amy did not like where this was going

What happened

Sarah lowered her voice

He sent her a Live Photo. Acting like he was alone

Amy’s stomach tightened

And

Sarah’s eyes flicked away

There was another girl in the background when she held it down

Amy did not respond right away

Because across the room Dave was laughing with a group of people

Normal. Easy. Unaware

Sarah touched Amy’s arm gently

I am not saying anything about him she said. I just do not want you to be the one who finds out too late

Amy forced a small laugh

Dave is not like that

I hope not Sarah said

Amy found Dave near the edge of the ballroom later

Hey he said

Hey

You okay You have been quiet

Amy hesitated

Then she said it

Would you ever cheat on me

Dave blinked

What

Amy looked down. I just never mind

He stepped closer

Amy Where is this coming from

She did not answer fast enough

He reached for her hands anyway

If we do not have trust he said quietly then we do not have anything

Amy looked up

The noise of the party faded again

He squeezed her hands

I love you

And for a second everything in her chest loosened

I love you too she said

They hugged

Across the room Tara watched

Working in fragrance

Hieveryone! it’s ellie again. i’m 16 years old and i’m totally blind. i’ve been blind since birth, and for the longest time i struggled with figuring out what i wanted to do later in life.

but recently i’ve realized something really important to me: fragrance is what i want to work with.

if you look through my post history, you’ll probably see it pretty quickly 😭 i’m really active in the bath & body works and victoria’s secret community, and i talk about scent a lot because it’s something i genuinely love.

to me, fragrance feels really elevated and personal, especially when people share “scent of the day” posts or layering combos. it’s something i actually understand in a deeper way.

last year i took chemistry, and i honestly found it really interesting. we didn’t really learn about “body chemistry” in the fragrance sense, but i was learning about science at the same time i was getting into perfumes. since i use a screen reader, i started reading the ingredients and notes on bottles, and i kept recognizing words from chemistry class. that part was actually really cool to me because it connected school with something i already loved.

i also really enjoy layering scents. i wasn’t always good at it, but over time i’ve built up a collection of around 100 body mists total. fragrance is something i genuinely wear for myself and not for anyone else.

i do own one perfume, and my mom has a few as well that i sometimes try, but overall i’m really drawn to body mists and everyday scents.

lately i’ve been thinking a lot about what it would look like to do something in fragrance professionally. i don’t really know where to start, and i’m not even sure if my parents would fully understand or support it yet, but i still want to try figuring it out.

sometimes i feel like my taste is “simple” because i love drugstore scents, especially sweet, warm, and comforting ones. but at the same time, those scents are the ones that feel the most meaningful to me.

i’ve also been thinking about creating something one day, like a body mist line or a signature scent inspired by memories and experiences. scents are really tied to memories for me, and i feel like a lot of people relate to that too, especially in different cultures. i love hearing about other people’s favorite smells or traditional treats and wanting to try them too.

i don’t know if this is too big of a dream or if i should start looking into how to actually get help or guidance in fragrance, but i really want to start somewhere. even just learning more about how perfumes are made or how people get into the industry.

i also feel like i’m pretty good at layering scents now, and i just posted a layering post recently, so this is something i’ve been really deep in 😭

if anyone has advice on how to get started in fragrance or who i could reach out to, i would really appreciate it.

Hieveryone! it’s ellie again. i’m 16 years old and i’m totally blind. i’ve been blind since birth, and for the longest time i struggled with figuring out what i wanted to do later in life.

but recently i’ve realized something really important to me: fragrance is what i want to work with.

if you look through my post history, you’ll probably see it pretty quickly 😭 i’m really active in the bath & body works and victoria’s secret community, and i talk about scent a lot because it’s something i genuinely love.

to me, fragrance feels really elevated and personal, especially when people share “scent of the day” posts or layering combos. it’s something i actually understand in a deeper way.

last year i took chemistry, and i honestly found it really interesting. we didn’t really learn about “body chemistry” in the fragrance sense, but i was learning about science at the same time i was getting into perfumes. since i use a screen reader, i started reading the ingredients and notes on bottles, and i kept recognizing words from chemistry class. that part was actually really cool to me because it connected school with something i already loved.

i also really enjoy layering scents. i wasn’t always good at it, but over time i’ve built up a collection of around 100 body mists total. fragrance is something i genuinely wear for myself and not for anyone else.

i do own one perfume, and my mom has a few as well that i sometimes try, but overall i’m really drawn to body mists and everyday scents.

lately i’ve been thinking a lot about what it would look like to do something in fragrance professionally. i don’t really know where to start, and i’m not even sure if my parents would fully understand or support it yet, but i still want to try figuring it out.

sometimes i feel like my taste is “simple” because i love drugstore scents, especially sweet, warm, and comforting ones. but at the same time, those scents are the ones that feel the most meaningful to me.

i’ve also been thinking about creating something one day, like a body mist line or a signature scent inspired by memories and experiences. scents are really tied to memories for me, and i feel like a lot of people relate to that too, especially in different cultures. i love hearing about other people’s favorite smells or traditional treats and wanting to try them too.

i don’t know if this is too big of a dream or if i should start looking into how to actually get help or guidance in fragrance, but i really want to start somewhere. even just learning more about how perfumes are made or how people get into the industry.

i also feel like i’m pretty good at layering scents now, and i just posted a layering post recently, so this is something i’ve been really deep in 😭

if anyone has advice on how to get started in fragrance or who i could reach out to, i would really appreciate it.

hey everyone! it’s me, ellie, again! 😭 i haven’t posted on here in a few days, but i hope you all had a wonderful week! i also hope y’all had a great friday and, if you were working, i hope work treated you well.

today i wanted to try out a new series idea! i can’t take credit for it because i originally saw it in the form of a youtube short. one of my favorite creators, Release Shops, does something similar, and i thought it would be really fun to try here.

obviously saturday and sunday count too, but i wanted to test this out today since it kind of marks the end of the work week for a lot of people. if y’all enjoy it, i’ll start posting these on sundays instead!

anyways, let me know your scents of the week down below! i’d also love if y’all asked me questions about mine or my layering combos. i don’t always layer, but it’s definitely something i enjoy doing.

here were my scents of the week!

monday:
i wore cozy & creamy! i paired it with a baby powder deodorant that i absolutely love. i’m honestly not sure what brand it is, but if anyone wants to know i’ll definitely go check. i also used a body lotion that smells like a freshly bathed baby, so the whole combination was just clean, soft, comforting, and super cozy. i felt amazing that day.

tuesday:
i wore waffle cone from victoria’s secret! i’m honestly not sure if it’s from the victoria’s secret side or the pink side, but it’s still in stores, so definitely go smell it if you get the chance! i layered it with neapolitan ice cream, and i have to give a huge thank you to my girl SHANTE EV for putting me onto that combo because it is SO GOOD. i seriously wish i could tag her directly because she deserves all the credit for that one.

wednesday:
i wore waffle cone all by itself because i just wanted to smell like a warm, sweet pastry 😭 sometimes simple is all you need.

thursday:
thursday was a little different, so i decided to wear my valentino donna born in roma perfume. i was in the mood for something a little more elevated that day, and it was perfect.

friday:
today i layered bare vanilla from victoria’s secret with waffle cone, and y’all… this combination was AMAZING. it was sweet, warm, cozy, and honestly one of my favorite combinations i’ve worn in a while.

those were my scents of the week! 🩷

let me know what y’all wore this week, and feel free to ask me anything about these scents or the layering combos! if y’all like this series, i’ll definitely keep doing it and start posting it every sunday.