Goodbye, Let's Not Meet Again

Hazel's grip on my arm made my wound reopen. Blood slowly seeped through my sleeve, staining my pajamas red.

But she acted like she didn't even notice.

"That computer... That computer had five years' worth of my data and research—all the work I've poured into it! And he just destroyed everything! It's... it's all gone!"

I was so upset that I was shaking all over, and my voice was as cold as ice in the dead of winter.

"That's basically my life, and it's gone! All I'm asking for is an apology. Is that really too much to ask?"

But instead of understanding, Hazel just glared at me, her face full of fury.

"So what if it's a few research files? What, you think you're going to become some big-shot scientist? Oh, give me a break!"

"And you hurt Callum on purpose—he's been nice enough not to demand an apology from you!"

"Henderson, come on, you're his brother. Act like it for once and stop being so damn petty!"

And with that, she didn't spare me a single glance before running out after Callum and her sister.

I felt the blood trickling down my arm, dripping onto the floor and staining it with dark red blossoms.

She actually expected me to apologize to him.

He used my computer without my permission, and now I, the one who got screwed over, am supposed to say sorry?!

Damn. That hurt my chest like hell. But screw it. I might as well just start picking up the wreck that bastard left behind.

I couldn't help but look up at the calendar on the wall—only five more days until I'm out of here.

Damn. This feels like the longest week of my life!

That night, as I was packing, I got a call from an unknown number. A clear, calm voice came through the line.

"Hi. This is Verity Albright, the project lead. You have six days left. Use the time to say your goodbyes. If anything comes up, call me."

"Yeah, alright. I'll be ready to go on time."

At some point, Violet and Hazel came back without me realizing.

They overheard me saying "go," which got their attention.

"Where are you going?"

I kept my voice steady. "Just a business trip."

Their minds were clearly on Callum now, so my vague answer didn't bother them in the least.

They used to worry every time I went on a trip—always anxious that I'd have trouble eating or sleeping while I was gone. One of them would even usually clear their schedule to tag along.

Now, all I got was a quick, disinterested nod.

"Callum's feeling really sorry about today. You should try to comfort him when you get the chance."

I'd already lost count of how many times they'd disappointed me, but somehow, it still hurt every damn time.

I pulled out our childhood photo albums, every picture with the dates and memories I'd carefully written down. Back then, I thought one day we'd look back at them together when we were older. Now they just felt like a bad joke.

One by one, I just threw them all into the fire.

Day 3 of the countdown.

I went to the rooftop restaurant downtown.

On my 18th birthday, the Harland sisters set up a fireworks show that lit up the whole city, making sure everyone knew I was under their protection and that nobody could mess with me.

That night, they competed over who could pile more food onto my plate, stacking gifts in front of me until I could barely see over them. I'd never smiled so wide in my life.

Tonight, I ordered the same dishes, but everything tasted bitter.

Day 2 of the countdown.

I went back to the amusement park.

The day Dad suddenly jumped from that rooftop, my mother didn't waste a second. She had him cremated the same day and walked straight out with the death certificate to marry Callum's father.