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.

you doing this? You're hurting me! I hate

the words, which was enough for Cassandra

Amanda. I'm sure you'll find

girl, especially if she was wailing right in front

seeing you so close together. It's killing me softly. How could you be so evil? What's wrong with loving me?" Amanda choked.

incredibly still as their voice came through the crack of

Cassandra was standing, he was apparently

flood within her and almost consume

a blur, and all she could hear was a constant ringing in her ears. Their words were a distant

I are already together. Nothing can change that. She's my girlfriend and I need to take care of her! That's what a boyfriend

looked like a helpless, unruly child to

mean anything at all to you?" Amanda

eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears,

about what to

you was the best moments I

happy and

him through the difficult trainings at the Dark Night Group.

what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her first love in

held her breath outside. What Rufus said stunned her. She retreated

that the time he spent with Amanda was the best of his life? Amanda must've been

had everything in the world—her status, identity, talent, and she was even as pretty as a fairy

this would be perfect in everyone's

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

was preposterous of him to think that she couldn't live without him. Cassandra

to let the

that you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you see that he's alternating between two women?' she asked herself

he can give you want you want? Do

by the crisp and cold voice

expected Rufus would play piano in front

and saw that Michelle standing beside her. She had no idea

Rufus touched the keys of the piano. He learned how to play when he and Amanda were lovers. She was

turned her head in a sidelong glance to see how Cassandra would react while she herself was apparently lost in her memories with her arms folded across

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 on top of a unclimbable hill that not everyone can reach,

was now fully fixated on Cassandra, waiting for her

Her eyes were empty and tranquil.

that seemed to be isolated

fit. Amanda was Rufus's first love and she even taught him how to play the piano. What happened between them these days all made sense

know

people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in

breath. The air was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs.

your advice. I've come to realize that Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before things get way out

the rumors around her, endure the Tang