In the days that followed, Amber hastened the process of packing her belongings. The mansion's trash bins filled quickly with old clothes, discarded trinkets and unused items. Every corner of the house bore the evidence of her quiet departure.
One evening, after a long day of work, Calvin returned home only to trip over a stack of neatly packed cardboard boxes near the door. Curious, he opened one, pulling out a few of Amber's personal items: crocheted carrots, potted succulents and Pikachu figurines.
"What's all this?" he asked, his voice casual but laced with an underlying tension.
Amber froze, her hand still poised mid-motion as she set the table. The briefest pause followed before she quickly came up with an explanation.
"I'm getting the studio ready for its opening. I thought some of my stuff would make it feel more like home," she said, trying to sound casual.
"Your stuff? How's that going to feel like home?" Calvin mused, crouching down to inspect one of the succulents. An involuntary smile tugged at his lips, though he was likely unaware of it.
Amber, eager to divert his attention, responded quickly, "Let's eat first. Florence made your favorite, sweet-and-sour ribs."
Calvin nodded, his attention momentarily diverted by the change in topic. He didn't press the matter further.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Amber asked, her voice calm and steady. "I was thinking we could visit our old high school. Together."
It was a simple request, but to Amber, it was important. She believed in endings with grace, that even the close of a chapter deserved its proper closure. Their relationship had begun in high school and it seemed fitting that it should end there, too.
Calvin didn't hesitate. "Sure, I don't mind."
The next morning, Amber woke to find the pillow beside her cold. Her routine felt oddly empty, as though something vital had slipped away. After washing up, she ate the wontons Florence had made for her and wrapped herself in a scarf.
She grabbed her canvas bag, dialing Calvin's number repeatedly, but his phone wouldn't connect. Frustration crept in as she tried again.
"Where are you? We agreed on this," she said, her voice trembling with quiet disappointment. She didn't finish the sentence, the hurt too raw to put into words.
"Sorry, Amber," Calvin's voice came through, distant and detached. "I promised Iris I'd go fishing with her today. She suddenly took a liking to fishing, of all things. I'll bring back some fish and make soup for you later."
In the background, Amber could hear Iris's cheerful voice, "Calvin, help me! I caught a big fish! You're going to love it today!"
Calvin's response was brief, almost dismissive. "Go to the high school by yourself. I can't make it."
Before Amber could protest, he hung up. She stood in the cold wind outside their old high school, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, her chest tightening. She wanted to scream, to demand that he see her, but instead, she swallowed her bitterness. She wouldn't ask for his attention anymore. Not after everything.
"It's fine," she whispered to herself. "I'm leaving soon anyway. I don't need your fish."
Her tears fell, but Amber wiped them away quickly. She had no more time for this, no more time for waiting. She pulled her suitcase behind her and walked towards the school gates.
At the entrance, she stopped a security guard. "Hello, sir. I graduated here and I'll be leaving Newark soon. Can I go in for one last look?"
The guard shook his head. "Sorry, miss. We don't allow outsiders on campus."
"Is there any way you could make an exception?" Amber asked, standing on tiptoe to peer through the small window in the gate.
The guard turned away without a word, leaving Amber with no choice but to leave.
Her shoulders sagged as she turned away from the gates. Another ending left incomplete. Another dream left unfulfilled. From any angle, their relationship had been doomed from the start. The beginning had been perfect, but that was all.
With a resigned sigh, she made her way to their old university. The security there was more lenient. She left her suitcase at the office and walked onto the campus, feeling the weight of memories heavy around her.
Amber wandered to the same burger stand where she used to go with Calvin during their university days. Back then, when she was infatuated with him, she had dreamed of sharing even something as simple as a burger with him. She had packed a meal just for him, but Calvin never cared for it. The meal she'd lovingly prepared ended up being fed to the school's stray cats.
