After that day, I heard almost nothing about Charlie and Shirley.
My days were consumed by research, deadlines, and life in Professor Standford's lab.
Time passed quickly...
A year and a half later, the day before my wedding.
I was hurrying back to my apartment when a familiar voice called out behind me.
"Hey, dummy. Why are you in such a hurry?"
I froze.
My vision blurred with tears.
I turned to my fiancé, who was with me at the time.
"Go upstairs first," I said softly. "I'll be there in a minute."
He nodded without asking questions and disappeared into the building.
Only then did I turn around.
Shirley sat on the bench outside the entrance, smiling as she smoked a cigarette.
For a moment, it felt as though we'd gone back in time.
When we were teenagers, she used to sit on t
