Elise's POV
The night after everything collapsed, Carter and I sat at the small dining table in silence. The air between us wasn't tense anymore—just heavy and tired, like both of us had cried out every word left to say.
He leaned back on the chair, hands folded, watching the steam rise from his untouched cup of tea.
"Elise," he said after a long pause, "I meant what I said last night. I don't hate you. I won't."
He gave a faint smile—one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Let's never involve our families in this. There's no need for anyone else to know. What happened between us—should stay between us."
Everything after that became strangely normal.
Carter went back to his meetings with Mr. Jones, discussing the new building's progress and signing off documents with his usual calm professionalism.
I returned to the school office as if nothing had changed at all. The illusion of routine kept us both functioning—and maybe that was enough for now.
Mason's POV
Japan was everything it always had been—bright neon lights, crowded train stations, quiet temples peeking out between tall buildings—but to me, it all felt dull. No matter how far I went, my thoughts kept pulling back to one thing: to her.
At first, I messaged Elise every night, sending updates, small jokes, and photos of places I thought she'd like. I waited for the "read" mark to appear under my messages. It never came.
Time passed.
I tried calling. Once. Twice. Ten times.
Nothing.
So I called Luke.
"Bro, can you check on her for me?" I said quickly, pacing near the hotel balcony.
"She's probably just busy, but I need to know."
Luke sighed on the other end. "Mason, you need to slow down. She might just need space."
"I just want to make sure she's okay," I insisted. "Just talk to her once. Please."
He was quiet for a moment, then finally said, "Alright. I'll go to her."
When the call ended, I stood there for a long time, staring at the city lights—wondering why everything suddenly felt like it was slipping out of reach.
Elise's POV
The next day was quiet.
The teachers were busy finalizing their summer grades, the students too distracted with the thought of vacation to linger around.
My office felt emptier than ever—the papers stacked neatly, the nameplate on the desk glinting faintly under the afternoon light.
I was signing what might be my last document when someone knocked gently on the door.
"Come in," I said without looking up.
The door opened, and a familiar voice spoke.
"Good afternoon, Miss Morgan."
I looked up. "Luke," I said softly, setting down my pen. "I was wondering when you'd drop by."
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly as he stepped in. "Yeah, I figured you knew this was coming."
"Let me guess," I said, a sad smile tugging at my lips. "Mason asked you to come."
He nodded, sighing. "He's… kind of worried. Says you haven't replied to any of his messages or calls. He asked me to check on you—to see if something's wrong."
I stared at the desk for a moment, fighting the heaviness growing in my chest. "And what will you tell him?"
Luke frowned slightly. "That depends on what you want me to say."
I looked up and met his eyes. "Then let's talk as Luke and Elise. Not you doing a favor for your friend. Just two people who both… care about him."
He sank into the chair opposite mine and nodded quietly. "Okay. I'm listening."
I took a deep breath. "My practicum ends in two days. After that, I'll be leaving Silver Lake."
Luke blinked. "Wait—"
"Please don't tell him," I said before he could continue. "At least not until he's back."
He stared at me for a long second, clearly conflicted. "He'll lose it when he finds out, Elise. You know that, right?"
"I know," I said softly. "That's exactly why he can't know yet. If he does, he'll come back immediately, and I don't want him to. His family needs him. He needs to be there right now, not running back here for me."
Luke leaned back, exhaling hard. "You're really sure about this?" I nodded. "Yes. It's better this way—for both of us."
He rubbed the back of his neck again, looking down. "You're making it sound like you're disappearing for good."
I gave him a faint, sad smile. "Maybe I am."
He went quiet again, then finally spoke. "He's been different since you, you know? Happier, but also… restless. He does stupid things sometimes, but he's got a good heart."
"I know," I whispered, my throat tightening.
"That's what makes this harder."
Luke looked at me, his expression softening. "So, what do you want me to do?"
I took a white envelope from the corner of my desk and slid it toward him.
"When he gets back," I said quietly, "give this to him. It's a letter I wrote. He deserves an apology... and a proper goodbye. Even if I can't say it myself."
He picked it up gently, turning it over in his hands before tucking it into his jacket pocket. "He's not going to like this."
"I know," I said again, my voice trembling faintly. "But maybe one day, he'll understand."
Luke stood, exhaling.
"You're really not coming back, are you?"
I shook my head. "No. That chapter's done."
He hesitated for a moment, then met my gaze. "Elise… I'm not going to pretend to understand everything that happened between you two, but… I know he meant something to you. Maybe more than you'll ever admit."
I felt my eyes sting as I tried to hold his gaze.
"He did."
Luke managed a small, bittersweet smile.
"Then I'll keep your secret. But you better not make me lie too hard when he starts asking questions."
I let out a small laugh through the ache in my chest. "Just tell him I was busy. That's all. He'll believe you—for a while."
"Alright," he said, nodding solemnly. Then he paused at the door, glancing back one last time.
"He's really going to miss you, Elise."
I looked down at the papers in front of me—the last ones I'd ever sign here—and whispered, "I'll miss him too."
When the door closed behind him, the silence returned, deeper than before. The only sound left was the soft rustle of the curtains as the wind slipped through the half-open window, carrying away the faint scent of paper and the last traces of this place I once called home.
In two days, I'd be gone.
And Mason…
He wouldn't know until it's too late.