They Were the Stars, I Was Just in Their Orbit Chapter 05
I took a cab to the apartment I had shared with Ethan and packed up my valuables and important documents.
After living there for three years, I left with only one small suitcase.
When my parents learned I had resigned, they both took time off work and came home to cook me a big meal.
“We’ll support whatever you want to do from now on, sweetheart.”
After dinner, they took out a plane ticket as if they were presenting me with treasure.
It was a ticket to Asheville, North Carolina, and the flight was tomorrow.
“You’ve been talking about Asheville for years. Go clear your head. Come back whenever you want.”
I stared blankly at the ticket in front of me and at the support in my parents’ eyes.
My whole heart felt like it had been lowered into something warm, melting completely soft.
I threw myself into their arms with tears in my eyes, and every worry was left behind.
That night, I packed for my trip to North Carolina in my room.
My phone kept buzzing on the rug.
Ethan must have gotten off work and noticed that more than half my things were gone.
He sent message after message, asking what had happened.
Ethan: [April, did you go back to your parents’ place again? I brought you your favorite strawberry shortcake.]
Ethan: [Why did you take all your IDs and documents? Where are you going?]
I did not reply to a single one, so he called.
Ethan: [Pick up. What happened?]
Ethan: [I’m going to your parents’ house.]
I turned my phone face down and kept busy with what I was doing.
A sound suddenly came from the living room, followed by my mom’s voice.
“Sweetheart, Nina’s here!”
After two knocks on the door, Nina came in as if she knew the place by heart.
She was also carrying a strawberry shortcake, and her eyes were rimmed red.
“April, you’re too good to me.”
She pulled me into her arms. I frowned and said nothing.
She kept talking as she held out the cake and a fork, making as if to feed me.
“Ethan told me everything. You got suspended because you volunteered to take the blame for me.
At that, I froze completely.
So that was what he had told Nina.
Why? So she would not feel guilty?
Even though Ethan was the one responsible for everything, it was hard for me not to resent the person who had benefited from it.
So I pulled myself free from her and turned my head away, refusing the cake she tried to feed me.
“Nina, go home.”
“What? Are you still upset with Ethan? He clearly said you two had already made up.”
“No. We won’t make up.”
“You two are really… Wait. Why are you packing so much luggage? Where are you going?” Nina stared around at the luggage spread across my floor, and her voice suddenly rose.
I felt a surge of irritation in my chest, and for once, my tone turned sharp.
“On a trip. Leave. I’m in a bad mood, and I don’t want to see anyone.”
So she automatically blamed my behavior on the suspension.
“Okay, okay. I’ll go now. Eat the cake.”
Not long after she left, Ethan sent another message.
Ethan: [April, something urgent came up at the hospital. I can’t get away right now.]
An hour and a half later, he sent more.
Ethan: [Still mad? All right, baby. I’ll swallow my pride, okay? Giving you the silent treatment hasn’t been easy for me either.]
Ethan: [Nina said you’re going on a trip. That’s good. Be safe.]
Ethan: [I’ll pick you up when you come back.]
The next day, my parents drove me to the airport.
After I passed through security, I stood on tiptoe and waved to them.
Goodbye.