Graduation day was supposed to be happy.
Elora stood in front of the mirror for a long time, staring at her reflection as if she were waiting for someone to appear behind her. The room was filled with quiet excitement—her gown neatly pressed, her hair falling softly over her shoulders.
She checked her phone.
No message.
No missed calls.
Her heart sank, but she forced herself to breathe.
"He's busy," she whispered to herself. "Adam is always busy."
Still, she hoped.
Adam had always come back. No matter how long he disappeared, no matter how cold he sounded on the phone, he always returned. This time had to be the same.
Selina burst into the room without knocking.
"Elora! Hurry up! Everyone's already downstairs."
Elora smiled faintly. "Did he call?"
Selina paused, then shook her head gently.
Elora nodded like she expected it. Like it didn't hurt.
By evening, the celebration had moved to the beach.
They arrived late. The music was already loud, laughter floating in the salty air. Groups of students crowded around bonfires, drinks in hand, joy spilling freely as if the future held no pain at all.
Selina was immediately dragged away by Daniel, laughing loudly as he spun her around.
Elora was left standing alone for a moment, barefoot in the sand.
Then Mike appeared.
"Elora," he said carefully, smiling like he always did. "You came."
She hesitated. In the past, she would have brushed him off politely. Tonight, she didn't.
She was tired of waiting.
So she smiled back.
They talked—about school, about plans, about nothing important at all. Mike listened closely, like Elora was the only person on the beach. She noticed it, and for the first time, she didn't stop him.
Maybe I should give him a chance, she thought.
Maybe this is what moving on feels like.
"Bikini time!" someone shouted.
The girls rushed off together, laughing and pushing each other playfully.
Selina grabbed Elora's arm. "Come on! I don't want anyone stealing Daniel."
When they returned, conversations stopped.
Elora felt it immediately—the sudden stillness, the weight of eyes turning toward her.
She wore a simple bikini, nothing flashy, but confidence changed everything. She tied a light scarf loosely around her waist and walked back toward the group, unaware of how many people were staring.
From a distance, a black car stood quietly by the road.
Inside it, Adam watched.
His jaw tightened.
His hands clenched.
"She looks… different," Brian said carefully from the front seat.
Adam didn't answer.
He hated the way people looked at her. Hated the way men leaned closer. Hated the fact that she was no longer the girl who waited quietly for him.
"She's having fun," Brian added softly. "Maybe you should—"
"I said nothing," Adam snapped.
Someone brought out an empty bottle.
"Spin the bottle!" they shouted.
Everyone gathered into a loose circle, laughter echoing into the night.
The bottle spun.
It landed on Daniel and another girl.
Daniel immediately raised his hands. "No way. I have a girlfriend."
Selina smiled proudly.
They gave him another challenge instead.
The bottle spun again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then it slowed.
And stopped.
Elora's breath caught.
Mike was sitting across from her.
A cheer erupted around them.
"Kiss! Kiss!"
Elora froze.
She didn't move.
She didn't look at Mike.
She didn't see Adam stepping out of the car, his eyes dark, his patience gone.
Mike leaned in slightly, hesitant, waiting for her permission.
Elora swallowed.
I said I would move on, she told herself.
I said I would stop waiting.
Just as she lifted her gaze—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
"Elora."
Her name was sharp. Cold. Familiar.
The crowd fell silent.
Adam pulled her up without another word.
"Hey—!" Mike stood. "What are you doing?"
Adam didn't even look at him.
Elora stumbled as Adam dragged her away, her heart slamming against her chest.
"Adam, wait—!"
He didn't.
He lifted her effortlessly and carried her toward the car.
She looked back just long enough to see Selina staring in shock, then shaking her head as if to say go.
Adam shoved her into the back seat.
The door slammed shut.
"What was that?" Adam demanded as the car pulled away. "Were you really going to kiss him?"
Elora laughed bitterly. "Why not? You have a girlfriend. Why can't I have a boyfriend?"
"That's different."
"Different how?" she snapped. "You disappeared. You didn't come to my graduation. You don't answer my calls."
Adam stared at her, fury flashing in his eyes.
"You're still a child."
"I'm twenty," she shot back. "I'm not fifteen anymore."
He looked away, breathing hard.
"You're not… you're not ready."
She leaned back, smiling softly. "You're jealous."
Adam said nothing.
But his silence answered everything.
The car sped into the night.
And neither of them realized—
This was the moment everything truly broke.