A Graduation Gift

Rufus had hardly entered the room when Amanda suddenly threw herself against his chest, too impatient to wait.

"You're finally here, Rufus!" she exclaimed while hugging Rufus tightly, her eyes closed and mouth curled into a happy smile.

Her face was scarlet all over.

"What's wrong with you? Are you okay? Hold on, I'm calling a doctor for you!" Rufus added his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

He managed to grab Amanda's arms and pushed away a bit.

He noticed that there was something wrong with her, but couldn't find out exactly what.

As far as he observed, Amanda was standing right in front of him, alive and kicking, which was weird that she didn't feel very well at the same time.

"Rufus, my heart is hurting…it's broken…" Amanda murmured.

Her eyes started to tear up as she looked at him pleadingly.

Her heart was in pain as if a sword stabbed it, when she saw how Cassandra and Rufus looked at each other's eyes so lovingly moments ago.

"Stop this, Amanda. I love Cassandra and she loves me. We'll get married soon," Rufus patiently explained.

The finality in his voice only added more pain to Amanda's wounded heart. She gasped to catch her breath.

"Why not me, Rufus? I don't see what's so special about her! It should've been me!"

Amanda refused to back down and accept his explanation. Tears were streaming down her cheeks at this point.

"She's so special to me, Amanda. You're a great girl, but I love her now and I just can't see a life without her. Don't you understand?"

Rufus knew that he needed to end this now, and if he showed the slightest note of hesitation, it would only make matters worse. Amanda had to accept the truth, that Rufus had no spare love for any other woman, only Cassandra.

"Rufus, I can't bring myself to listen to you right now. You know I'm ailing right now. Can't you at least pretend to make me feel better?"

Amanda raised her head a little to look into Rufus's eyes. Her mouth forced a sad smile.

"No, Amanda. This ends now. I won't lie to you even if you're sick,"

Rufus responded harshly. Deep in his heart, he was reluctant to admit the truth to her now, since she wasn't all that well; however his mind told him that he'd better end her expectations for her to move forward.

At that same moment, along the corridor, Cassandra was walking towards the room where Rufus and Amanda were in, which was at the end of the hallway. The soft carpet on the floor absorbed the sounds of her footsteps.

She passed one room after another.

After a few minutes, the room was finally in front of her. She could hear a conversation on the other side.

Two people were talking, one was Rufus and the other was apparently Amanda.

hurting me!

with sobs as she said the words, which was enough for

you'll find someone

had no idea how to calm a girl, especially if she was wailing right

together. It's killing me softly. How

voice came through the crack of the slightly ajar

back to the door, and from where Cassandra was standing, he was

flood within her

was suddenly a blur, and all she could hear was a constant ringing

That's what a boyfriend does. Since she's with me, I won't let her down!" Rufus tried hard to talk Amanda out

like a helpless, unruly child to

anything at all to you?"

eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, waiting with bated breath for his reply.

he thought hard about what to say

the best

were both happy and regrettable

was bittersweet, accompanying him through the difficult trainings

hoped that what he said could bring closure to Amanda.

Rufus said stunned her. She retreated a few steps slowly, then turned around and

that the time he spent with Amanda was the

even as pretty as a fairy that could only

like this would be perfect in

his true feeling, I must be merely just a responsibility that he needed taking

she couldn't live without him. Cassandra held her chin high, but was unable to smile for the

she reached the hotel exit. Walking out to let the fresh air hit her, Cassandra woke

deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you see that

you want you

crisp and cold voice of a woman.

in front of everyone tonight! What a pleasant

that Michelle standing beside her. She had no idea why she was there or if

been years since Rufus touched the keys of the piano. He learned how to

to see how Cassandra would react while she herself was apparently lost in her memories with her arms folded

are regretting that they should have fought hard for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more you miss the youthful days. Being the first love is like being

was now fully fixated on Cassandra, waiting

emotionless. Her eyes were empty and

a faint smile that seemed

fit. Amanda was Rufus's first love and she even taught him how to play the piano.

that she never really got to know Rufus,

the best thing that could happen to anyone. It's engraved on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in your life, it can never

head-splitting migraine as she took a deep breath. The air was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her emotions since she didn't want Michelle to see her cry.

Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before things get way out

bring him lots of troubles. Rufus had to clear the rumors around her, endure the Tang Family's abuse, and bear all the bad things that had nothing to do with him.