From that day on, I let Frank go completely. I focused on planning the move to the coast with my parents. I wrapped up my work
and started researching how to manage a dance studio and what professional courses I could take.
By the time I received an invitation to a class reunion, my dad had already sold our old suburban house and had enough money for
a down payment on a new place.
The classmate organizing the reunion was well–connected and popular, so I knew a lot of people would be there.
Including, of course, Frank.
Without hesitation, I replied in the group chat: [Hannah will be there.]
After all, there were still many things I didn’t know, and this was a good opportunity to ask for advice.
I dressed as I normally would and went to the party. Unsurprisingly, I saw Frank and Angela. To avoid trouble, I sat in the farthest corner from them. Maybe the lighting was too dim, but when Frank started chatting animatedly with the table behind me, he didn’t
seem to notice me at all.
“Frank! Man, I can’t believe you actually landed Angela!”
“But what’s up with you and your little childhood sweetheart? You’ve been ditching your bros for a girl. Haven’t seen you for a drink
in over half a month…”
“You broke up? Just like that?”
I heard Frank’s nonchalant “mm–hmm” and felt a strange calm. I continued my conversation with the senior woman next to me,
we exchanged contact information.
and
“Do you guys remember when we bet on how long it would take Frank to win over the ‘campus flower‘? I think it was… a week?”
“Tsk, tsk, so many guys were after Hannah. Talented, beautiful, and she wouldn’t give anyone the time of day. But then Frank mak- es his move, and bam, a week later, she’s his!”
I listened to their drunken, boisterous teasing and tightened my grip on my wine bottle.
After five seconds, Frank spoke softly. “Not even close.”
His voice was quiet, but it landed with a thud. “Five days.”
I suddenly felt all the strength drain out of me.
Finally, I heard him say, “Now that you mention it… I kind of miss her.”
