Goodbye to Yesterday's Love

Both of them stared at me, and I felt the weight of their curiosity pressing in. Even Demi’s attention turned sharply toward me, a flash of irritation crossing her face at the thought of the attention shifting my way.

Trying to deflect their suspicion, I answered with a casual smile, “Well, it’s nothing major. There’s a jewelry show abroad, and they sent me an invitation. He just wanted to know if I could make it, so I have got to take care of the travel details right away.”

I glanced pointedly at Nate and Morgan, skipping Demi. But their expressions told me they were not entirely satisfied with that explanation, so I offered more.

“Oh, for the wedding, it just so happens that my friend overseas is also getting married, so after the jewelry show, I'm going straight to her wedding. Would you two like to come along?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light, though I knew they would likely refuse.

As expected, both of them shook their heads, exchanging a glance. “No, we will pass,” Nate said quickly, not even considering it.

Morgan nodded, his tone apologetic but firm. “Thanks, Ariel, but I think we should not go if Demi could not go.”

Of course, Demi did not hide her smirk, clearly pleased that they had chosen her over me.

My chest tightened, but I kept a calm face. “Alright then,” I said, forcing a small, disappointed sigh. “Just thought I would ask.”

Relieved that their interest was satisfied, they quickly lost focus on me and returned to whatever they found fun, their backs turned as they resumed their laughter and conversation with Demi.

Forcing down the sting of hurt, I headed back to my room, the once-familiar warmth of their presence replaced with an isolating chill.

As I stepped into my room, I closed the door and leaned against it, feeling the silent weight of everything I had lost pressing in on me.

They did not even care enough to ask why I wanted to leave or if I was alright. With a resigned sigh, I continued packing, mentally preparing for my final days there in Stanmore.

**

The next morning, I made my way to the kitchen, hoping for a quiet breakfast.

But as I entered, I froze and my eyes widening at the mess of dishes and flour scattered everywhere.

Demi, Nate, and Morgan were crowded around the kitchen counter, laughing and joking as they worked together, clearly in the middle of baking.

Hearing me open the refrigerator, Nate turned with a playful grin. “Well, well, Sleeping Beauty is finally awake!”

Morgan chuckled, joining in. “Never thought I would see the day when Ariel sleeps in! Back in college, you were the one always up early, getting us out of bed.”

I managed a tight smile, saying nothing. Their laughter continued as if I were just a passing guest in my own home, not the person who once shared those moments with them.

Demi, ever the opportunist, seized the moment to take a jab. “Ariel always wakes up late now. I think the two of you were just too noisy and woke her up.” She laughed, her tone mocking.

Nate and Morgan both chuckled and gave a half-hearted apology. “Oh, sorry about that,” Nate said, not sounding sorry at all.

“But since you’re up,” Nate continued, holding up a plate, “come on and try this cake we made! Since Demi’s birthday party was canceled, we decided to celebrate it with a cake, but Demi’s got a real knack for baking; it’s amazing.”

Morgan nodded enthusiastically. “You will love it. Honestly, if I had known she was this good, we should have asked Demi for baking tips back when we were making those failed cookies.”

A pang of sadness hit me. Baking had been one of our favorite things to do together. We did not care if we failed or succeeded; it was just about spending time together.

At that moment, it was as if those memories had faded, as if those moments were just trivial parts of the past, replaced by Demi.

Demi cut a slice of cake and held it out to me with a sweet smile. “Here you go, Ariel,” she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. “Hope you like it.”

I looked at the cake, suspicious of Demi’s sudden kindness. “No, thanks. I’m on a gluten-free diet,” I replied smoothly, trying to avoid it without causing a scene.

But Nate rolled his eyes. “Come on, Ariel. Stop being so stingy and give Demi’s cake a chance. She worked hard on it!”

Morgan added with a grin, “Yeah, a little piece won’t kill you, Ariel.”

Reluctantly, I picked up a fork and took a small bite, mostly to get them to stop pressuring me.

The moment the cake touched my tongue, a familiar, sickly-sweet taste hit me, and my stomach dropped.

As the taste of mango fulfilled my throat, it tightened, and my skin began to itch almost immediately.

I dropped the fork, feeling panic rise as I tossed the plate aside, unable to hold back my reaction.

But as the plate clattered to the floor, Nate’s and Morgan’s eyes widened, and Demi let out an exaggerated gasp, dropping to her knees to clean up her supposedly ruined cake.

“What is your problem, Ariel?” Nate snapped, a hint of anger in his tone. “Demi worked so hard on this, and you just threw it away?”

Demi’s voice trembled, her eyes filling with tears as she glanced up at me. “Is my cake really that bad?” She sniffed, her face twisted in an expression of hurt that anyone would believe.

Morgan glared at me; his tone filled with disappointment. “Could you not just pretend to like it, Ariel? You did not have to humiliate her like that.”

But I could not focus on their scolding, since the allergic reaction was already kicking in.

My throat was tightening, and my vision started to blur. My hands even shook as I reached into my pocket for my phone, struggling to dial emergency services.

My ears were also buzzing, muffling their voices as they continued to clean up the mess, oblivious to my distress.

“Hello?” I rasped into the phone, trying to stay calm as the operator answered. “I need an ambulance. It is an allergic reaction…” My voice was faint, but I managed to give them my address before my hand dropped to my side, barely able to stay on my feet.