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The boys are graduating next week. It's the last weekend before summer and Harry is throwing a bash at his house.
I haven't spoken to Calum in thirteen days. I haven't exchanged more than one word replies with my parents for nine—nine days ago being when they brought up the divorce again. Some childish part of me keeps hoping that if I don't acknowledge it then maybe it won't happen.
Michelle and I have been pretty cut off from the boys for the past two weeks, and we really felt their absence whenever we had to walk anywhere or take our bicycles. Sometimes her mom would force Michael to drive us places.
The party is in full swing when we get there. Harry quickly finds me and shoves a drink in my hand.
"Chandler, you made it!" he beams. "How boring is school going to be next year when I'm gone?"
"I don't know what we'll do without you, Harry," I smile. "How will we deal with all the girls that are going to stay virgins? They'll take over."
"My services are needed elsewhere."
"Send me a postcard, yeah?"
"I'm going to miss you, Chandler," he says. "Sorry we didn't work out in the end."
"Don't worry about it. I'll let you get back to partying." I lean up on my toes and press a kiss to his cheek. "Don't you dare forget about me."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
We're separated and I venture off around the house. I have a few drinks and go to use the bathroom once. The air inside keeps getting stuffier and I find myself outside on the patio out back. I have a few minutes to breathe for myself, until I turn to see Calum stumbling outside in the middle of lighting a cigarette. He notices me and the flame goes out.
"Oh. You're here."
"Yeah, I'm here."
He forgets about the cigarette. "Why are you here?"
"I needed some air."
"I mean at the party, Chandler. It's for the year graduating. These are my friends."
"I was invited," I say.
"I don't give a shit. Leave."
"I'm not doing this with you right now, Calum." I start down the patio stairs, walking down the path toward the dock. I hear him follow me.
"You can't just do stupid shit and then hang around me."
"Im not hanging around you," I bite back. "I'm here to party, Calum. You slept with Michelle and now you're so upset I bruised your ego that you're letting the whole friend group suffer."
"Bruised ego?" He reaches for my arm. I pull it away and back down the dock. "You slept with my best friend! You ripped my heart out of my chest, Chandler!"
