Broken

• Chapter 161 •

"I'm scared. Scared of graduating, scared of moving on, and scared of letting go..." The room goes silent, my eyebrows furrow in confusion as Eric clenches his jaw and lets out a shaky breath.

"But my best friend taught me an important lesson," Eric's eyes focus on me and my heart splits apart. He smiles softly before his eyes scan our classmates and land on Isabella, "That you make sacrifices for the ones you love."

I watch Isabella's eyebrows knit together in fear. Eric clears his throat and looks back at the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take a moment to applaud a fellow classmate. Isabella Fontanella has been offered entry into Harvard University."

People cheer her on for her massive achievement, but her eyes are fixated on Eric. My heart sinks slightly when I realize he's letting her go. Eric smiles sadly, "It would be selfish of anyone to keep you from taking this amazing opportunity. Isabella, you deserve the best."

They exchange pained expressions, followed by soft smiles. Tears stream down Isabella's face as she mouths that she loves him. Eric's face gleams with happiness and sadness all at once. He's sacrificing his happiness for hers.

"Thank you, everybody. I'm gonna miss you all. Congratulations, class of 2017!"

___________________

- ISABELLA -

"Siamo cosi fieri di te!" dad tells me as mom hugs me tightly. Translates to we're so proud of you!

"Grazie, papa," I look beyond them and my stomach flops when I see Eric coming out of the auditorium.

"Scusatemi per un minuto," I excuse myself to go talk to him, but I'm stopped by Ella.

"Isabella, dear! How are you?" she beams. I smile, "Hi, Ella. I'm doing good, and you?"

She shrugs, "Well, considering my first born just graduated, I'm great."

"We're just glad he's finally out of our hair," Daario quips.

Eric frowns at them and they laugh before excusing themselves.

"So..." I breathe.

Eric smiles down at me softly, "So..."

My heart aches terribly, "This is it, huh?"

He nods thoughtfully as tears well up in his eyes, "You're going to do amazing things, Bella."

I wrap my arms around him as a tear rolls down my cheek, "I love you, Eric."

He tightens his hold on me before tilting my face up and pressing our lips together in a passionate kiss, "I love you, too. Always," he breathes.

- CLEMENTINE -

"Clementine... Hey..." Arin's eyes pop, and everyone grows quiet as soon as I step out of the auditorium and into the courtyard. I feel all eyes on me, and I fake a smile.

"Hey guys. We finally graduated, huh?"

Ashu nods, "Yeah, I can finally sleep in and not get in trouble for it!" she says excitedly.

I try to laugh, but it sounds forced. I shake my head, "I'll see you guys later. Kay?"

Her, Arin and Adrien nod silently as I make my way towards the parking lot. Aya grabs a hold of my arm, "Clementine..." her voice and face reek of pity.

I blink. She shakes her head as her face pales, "How are you holding up, babe..?"

I smile, "I'm fine, Aya."

"Listen, I—"

I scoff a laugh, "Aya... Really, I'm fine," I look around, "I do have to find my mom, though. Catch you later?"

Aya's face falls in disappointment, but she nods anyway, "Oh... Yeah, sure..." she wraps her arms around me. I pat her back and pull away, continuing to push past people to try and find mom.

"Long year, huh?"

I turn around in surprise to face Eric. I smile, and it's not that fake. "How so?"

He laughs, and I join him. Soon enough, we're silent again. He studies me and I clear my throat, "That was cute, your speech."

He groans, "Yeah? Didn't find it too cheesy?"

I snort, "Oh, it was all types of cheesy. Gouda, Edam, mozzarella..."

He laughs and shoves me, "Oh, shut it."

I grin and shake my head, "How are you feeling..? The whole Isabella thing?"

He shrugs and smiles sadly, "I'll be fine. If Isabella and I are meant to be, then we'll find each other in the future. It just feels like the right thing to do... So, when are you moving away to New York?"

I clear my throat, "I don't know. I was planning to stay here the summer, go only a week or so before semester starts, but I..." I shake my head, "I don't know. Plans change. I might go earlier, just to get settled in and everything..."

His eyes bore into my skull, "Right. Maybe you should travel for a bit? Didn't you and Aya say you wanted to go to Amsterdam or something after graduation?"

I shrug dismissively, "Yeah, we'll see."

"You better visit me. Or are you going to be too fancy and classy for me at Columbia?" he mocks.

I roll my eyes, "Oh, I don't know. I'll be very busy with prestigious people, you know. I'll try to make time for a peasant such as yourself."

He laughs. "ERIC! We'll be late to your grandmother's dinner, come on!" Daario calls him.

Eric turns back, "Give me a minute!" He turns back to face me and smiles sheepishly, "Nana's throwing me a graduation dinner. Wanna come?"

I smile, "Nah... That's all right. You go have fun."

He nods thoughtfully, "I'll see you soon?"

"Sure."

He envelops me in his arms, kissing my cheek before smiling down at me, "I love you, Minty."

"Yeah yeah... Get outta here."