Shirley was so caught up in her nostalgia that she failed to notice the growing discomfort on Abner's face. By the time she realized it, he had already let go of her hand and was making his way towards the exit. "Abner?" she called out, snapping back to reality, but Abner only quickened his pace and soon disappeared through the front door.

Shirley hurried to follow him. "Abner!" she shouted, but just as she took a step, Mark grabbed her wrist.

"Shirley, does this mean you agree?" he asked.

Shirley shook off his grip, her brows furrowed. "Agree to what?”

"To get back together."

"I didn't agree to anything. I just think you're right about one thing-high school was great. But we're college graduates now; we can't live in the past forever."

With that, she took off in the direction Abner had gone. It was her oversight. She had noticed his unease, how the presence of her father, and especially Mark, seemed to trigger feelings of abandonment in Abner.

made some significant, unsettling decision. Shirley got into her car and tried calling Abner, but he didn't pick up. That kid, showing a bit of temper now. She drove around but couldn't find any trace of Abner. She searched till midnight and, not finding him, headed back to her apartment complex in defeat. That's when she saw Abner, looking forlorn, sitting

like a lost child. Relieved, she quickly got out of the car and approached him. Seeing him looking so deserted broke her heart. After all, he had been so dedicated

intended to scold him, but at that moment, she found she couldn't. "You're grown up,

temples. "Abner, are you worried that if Mark and I got back together, I'd neglect you? Look, we're not getting back together, and even if

his spirits instantly. Shirley noticed his

feel a mix of

with a newfound hope

don't

felt a sense of accomplishment. She preferred this slightly temperamental Abner

country the next morning for two months.

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