4

As evening fell, the institute's pickup vehicle was already waiting at the crossroads on the edge of town.

When they saw me dragging my suitcase, my friends from the geology club came right over.

My best friend, Lola, quickly took the heavy case off my hands.

Megan, the club president, hugged me, her eyes red.

"Catherine, are you really joining the team now? I heard that once you're in, you can't contact anyone for a long time."

I gently hugged Megan back.

"A chance like this doesn't come around often. I've already confirmed that I'm going."

Judy, an underclassman, looked toward my house and hesitated.

"What about Liam and the others..."

I gave her a small smile.

"It's all over."

Then my advisor stepped out of the vehicle and loaded my luggage into the back.

"Catherine, I need to remind you of something.

"The confidentiality protocol starts as soon as you get in. Is there anyone you still want to contact?"

At the same moment, a notification popped up on my phone.

At some point, the group chat I'd shared with Liam and the others had been renamed the Ivy League Five.

Selena's latest message was a photo of several people from behind.

The four guys were cooking in Liam's kitchen.

Then Selena posted the photo on Instagram with a caption.

"It's just the five of us from now on. Hope everything goes well for Catherine in Alaska."

Ethan was the first to comment. "Good luck with your research up north, Catherine."

Owen followed with a string of laughing emojis.

I left the group chat I'd been in for years. Then I deleted Ethan, Noah, and Owen from my contacts, one by one.

Finally, I came to my chat with Liam.

Just then, Liam texted me, as bossy as ever.

"Come over tonight. We're throwing Selena a celebration party. And remember to bring your camera so you can take a group photo for us."

He still thought I'd do as I was told and show up.

But this time, I didn't reply. I just deleted him.

My advisor checked his watch and handed me a sealable bag.

"It's about time. Catherine, please turn off your phone and put it in the bag."

I nodded and pressed the power button.

From then on, I had nothing to do with any of them.

I climbed into a seat at the back, and the black bus slowly pulled away from the curb.

Outside the window, Megan, Judy, and Lola stood waving at me.

With tears in my eyes, I nodded to them.

Something in my pocket was still digging into me.

It was the necklace Liam and the others had given me.

I'd left it on the entryway table that night, but Selena hadn't dared to take it.

Somehow, it had ended up back in my pocket.

As the bus crossed the bridge, I opened my palm and looked at the necklace engraved with all five of our initials.

Then I quietly slid the window open and threw it as hard as I could.

The necklace splashed into the icy river and disappeared in an instant.

The bond I'd shared with Liam and the others for all those years was gone too.

There was no going back.