Graduation came and went in a blur of white dresses, gold medals, and polite applause. Keith and Roxanne looked perfect for the photos, she in her cream heels, he in his pressed barong, both smiling like the world hadn’t already started to split in half beneath them.
The next morning, Abbie found Roxanne sitting at the edge of her bed, still in her robe, staring at nothing.
“You’re not dressed,” Abbie said.
Roxanne didn’t answer.
Abbie noticed the envelope beside her, pale blue, Keith’s handwriting across it. Her chest tightened. “What’s that?”
Roxanne smiled faintly, her lips trembling. “Goodbye.”
Abbie blinked. “What?”
“We decided it’s for the best,” Roxanne said quietly. “He’s leaving tomorrow. Back to Vermont. His family’s waiting.”
Abbie’s throat closed. “You decided? Why woul
