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Stephine thought that when she and Albert graduated they would enroll at Hillside university together, that is until Albert told her that he actually signed up to be in the military. They're goodbye was a bittersweet one, Stephine cried as Albert stood there, unsure of what to say, she cried even harder as the car pulled off, watching her boyfriend leave her life. Ten years is how long he would be away, ten years without her boyfriend sounded like torture.Months passed, Stephine got into Hillside university and majored in English. There would be ocasional days where Stephine and Albert would talk, but he always seemed so distant, the conversations were always cut short with him saying he was busy and had to go. It left Stephine empty inside.Just a few more years of empty, rushed coversations, a few more years until they could be together, face to face. Stephine yearned for the years to pass by faster.Three years later, Stephine got her masters in English, when she tried to tell Albert though, all she got was "Mhm" "Uh huh" "Sounds nice sweetie" and a quick excuse to hang up. Stephine started to suspect that Albert was falling out of love with her, but she forced those thoughts out of her mind, if he didn't love her, he would've told her by now, afterall he could just be moody.A few more years passed, finally Albert was set to come home, he told Stephine that he should be back by April 5th. She marked that date on her calander, eager to see her boyfriend. When the date finally arrived, she dressed in her bes spring dress, and biked all the way to the train station at 7am, finding a nice bench to sit on as she awaited the arrival of her boyfriend. A few hours passed by before the train finally arrived, the train station now bustling with people.She spotted Albert hopping off the train, as she got up to greet him, she spotted a girl rushing up to him, pulling him into a hug. Stephine stopped in her tracks, watching as they embraced each other. She turned away, ready to sprint from the train station."Stephine!" A voice called as she swiftly turned, watching as Albert approached her."Oh, hey Albert, funny seeing you here." she nervously picked at her skin, trying to make eye contact with him.Albert gave her a light-hearted laugh. "You knew I would be here, remember?""Mhm, look, I have to go, I have a errand to run, I'll catch you later though." her voice flat."Oh, okay, see ya Steph," Steph turned to leave, hearing Alberts foot steps fade slowly. Just as she got to the exit, she turned, spotting Albert and watching as he gave the girl a kiss. Steph turned back towards the exit, tears threatning to spill over as she walked out. She hopped on her bike, the wind picking up speed. Finally she allowed herself to cry, letting it all pour out of her.That's why he's been so distant, he's been entertaining her. Making her feel like the only girl in the world. The thought itself made Stephine sob more. She pulled her bike over to a coffee shop, chaining it up and going inside. She wiped away her tears as she headed up to the counter."Oh ma'am, the shop is actually closed right now" The cashier looks up at Stephine, her sad apperance seems to strike something in him. "Actually ma'am, have a seat please, I'll be right with you." He heads into the back area as Stephine sits at one of the many empty tables. She hears machines whirring and liquid pouring. After a while the cashier comes back holding a cup. He plops down next to her, pushing the cup closer. It's filled with hot chocolate. Stephine looks up at the cashier, pulling the cup closer to her and taking a long sip. The cashier watches as her face lights up a little."You're welcome," he says pridefully.Stephine giggles, looking at the cashier, "Thank you...Ethan."The cashier looks at her confused before she points at his name tag, he sighs in relief, letting out a chuckle. "Thought you were a mind reader for a second. Uhm, anyways, whats wrong with you, you seemed a little sad."Stephine looks down into her hot chocolate, watching the marshmallows float around. "My boyfriend." "Huh?""The reason I'm sad is my boyfriend, if I can even call him that anymore." her voice gets softer.Ethan wraps an arm around Steph and pull her in. "If I know anything about guys, I can tell you this, he's a big jerk who doesn't know what he's lost."Steph smiles a little. "We're not broken up yet, he just got back from the Army and well, I saw him kiss another girl at the train station, I just...I don't know what to do."Ethan nods, "I think you shold break up with him, leave without a trace.""Pfft, I wish"Stephine's phone rings, the screen reads Albert, Steph frowns, grabbing her phone and putting it up to her ear, Ethan leans in trying to hear the convo."Heyy Stephine! My parents are having a big dinner tonight wanna come over, I know you probably haven't been checking up on them like I asked."Stephine looks over at Ethan and he wildly shakes his head 'no'."Uh, sure I'll come over tonight, what time?""Maybe 8pm?""Okay, uh, see you at 8.""Okay, I love-"Stephine hangs up before he could finish off his sentence. Ethan looks at her, shaking his head."He even sounds like an asshole. Why'd you agree to go?""Because...I don't know, his parents never did anything to me, plus maybe tonight I could find the time to break up wit him."Ethan sighs, pulling a napkin from the napkin holder and taking a pen from his apron, he angrily scribbles something on the napkin before giving it to Steph."It's my number, update me on anything that happens, okay?""Okay stranger," Steph says grabbing the number and stuffing it in her pocket. "I'll be heading out now, glad i got to meet you Ethan!""Likewise Steph,"Now it was Stephines turn to give him a confused look."You're dickhead, almost ex boyfriend called you Steph.""Oh yeah," she playfully slaps her forehead, mouthing the words duh, before heading off, leaving Etahn alone in the shop.✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩Steph prepares herself to face Albert, she looks at herself in the mirror, taking deep breaths. "I got this.." she mutters over and over again. At seven, she heads out, rushing down the aparent stairs and unchaining her bike. She peddles fast, the wind whipping against her face and her heart thumping in her chest. When she finally arrived at Albert's house, she stood in the driveway, mentally prepping herself to go to the door. Albert spots her outside, he goes to the door, opening it and ushering her inside."Come come, my parents are excited to see you after such a long time."He ushered Stephine inside, as she made her way to the dining room where his parents and sister sat. Upon entering the room, his mother smiled, getting up and walking towards Steph. "It's been such a long time, how are you?" she said, pulling Stephine into a hug, Steph hugged her back and mummered 'I've been doing well'. They sat around the table, catching up, Stephine told his parents how she got her masters degrees just a few years back and how she plas on doing something big with her life. His mother stared at her awestruck but his dad just rolled his eyes, Stephine saw this gesture and decided to quiet down, letting them talk amongst themselves. When dinner was over Stephine went to the bathroom, splashing water on her face. She looked at herself and mummered 'I got this." over and over again while taking deep breathes. She turned and left the bathroom and was about to head back into the dining room when she heard voices."I like Steph, she's a good girl, perfect for our little Albert," his mom cooed as dishes clattered in the sink."She's good, but you know how Albert is, they shouldn't be together," his sister huffed.Silence ensued, Steph's heart dropped as she waited for them to say something, anything."I like his other girlfriend better, at least she isn't a show off," grumbled his dad.That was all the confirmation Steph needed, she grabbed the bathroom handle and tugged it to show she had just finished, as she rounded the corner, the family looked at her with shock. Wondering if she heard anything, or everything."Where's Albert? I have to go soon!" Stephine said in a sweet tone."He's upstairs dear," his mother gave her a coy smile. Stephine smiled back and turned, making her way upstairs and to Albert's room. Her fast pace steps came to a slow crawl as she finally neared his door, she lifted her fist to knock but stoppped short, hearing Albert's voice on the other side. Him laughging and...a girls voice. Steph took a deep breathe swinging open the door, her gaze falling on Albert and his new chick sititng on the bed.They quickly looked up as the door slammed against the wall."Babe, it's not what you think it is.." Albert said, getting from off the bed, trying to reason with Stephine."I want to break up."