Him being in pain was worse than me being in pain. I didn’t mean to say it, but something inside me unleashed, came sprawling out in a torrent before I could think. “Idon’tthinkIwanttohavealong-distancerelationship.”

“What?”

I said it again, this time slower. “I don’t think I want to have a long-distance relationship.”

There were no secrets left. They were all out in the open.

He blanched. “I think—I’m just gonna—” Levi edged away, hand raking through his hair. His face was bleached of all color, except for the two bright patches of pink in his cheeks. He made it to his car without looking at me.

I wanted to follow, but my legs had jellied. I swallowed. “You don’t have to—” I tried, but it was no good.

“Can you get a ride back home with someone?”

I nodded. “Lucy’ll drive me.”

His key fumbled in the lock, but then he got it to slide in evenly, and with a quick twist, he was inside. The door slammed. He was my ride, but now he was leaving alone.

He stared at me through the glass for a long moment, then started the ignition. I wanted to tell him not to go, that I was sorry, but what came out was: “What about the exhibition?”

“The only person I really cared about showing my art to was you,” he said, and then he was reversing out of the parking space.

An infinity passed between our eyes. My chest felt raw, shaky. Everything hung in the balance. Would he still think about staying? The things I had counted on an hour ago now seemed elusive, out of reach.

He waited until I took a step back before peeling out of the parking lot. I watched the taillights until they faded, and only then did I remember to blink.

I didn’t know how long I was out there, leaning against Lucy’s car, struggling to process. Going back inside wasn’t an option. I didn’t want to be stared at, didn’t want to see Elodie again. Didn’t want her to try to win me back. Didn’t want her or anyone else to wonder where Levi had gone. I’d just wait for Lucy out here.

So this was it. Whatever remained of summer, here it was. This was how it all ended, in a dimly lit parking lot with my makeup running down my face. My eyes burned, and when I swiped at them, a black mascara smear rubbed off.

“You look like shit.”

I didn’t even have to look up. “Thanks, Penny. Really what I needed to hear right now.” I wiped at my nose.