No More Time Together
After finishing my meal, I went to the cashier counter to settle the bill as usual.
It took me longer than usual because the signal was poor.
By the time I settled the bill, I could not find Corbin, my boyfriend, or Mabel, my best friend, anywhere inside or outside the restaurant.
I called over a dozen times before they finally answered.
“You were taking too long, so we just went ahead.
“We’re at the Perler bead craft store on the second floor. Hurry up and get over here.
The mall was packed and even more crowded than usual for the holiday.
The elevator came twice, and both times it was full. So, I gave up and took the escalator instead.
By the time I got to the store, every seat at the craft table was already taken.
Corbin and Mabel were sitting together, talking about starting at Northbridge University this September and planning out the next ten years of their lives, from graduate school all the way to their doctorates.
It was this grand plan for their future, and I had no place in it.
They had already made plans to enroll in prestigious universities as early as May.
I, however, failed my PSATs and was still considering repeating a year to catch up.
Seeing me standing frozen at the door, Corbin said in a helpless tone, “You’re always so slow. Just wait outside for now.”
I watched their backs, and a sudden exhaustion washed over me.
“Corbin, I’m done chasing you.”