Andromeda sat on the porch-step of the large house, waiting to sum up the courage to ring his doorbell. The box of items rested, untouched, upon her thighs. She heard the door creak open slightly and a beautiful familiar voice whisper,

"Andi?" She gasped and jumped in shock.

"Bill, I was waiting to get the courage to knock on your door," She spoke quietly as her heart rate began decreasing again.

"Oh, well I guess you want to talk or something, maybe? Would you care to come in?" Andromeda sat, unblinking for a few seconds before answering.

"No, Bill, I don't want to come in," she stood up and handed him the fairly large cardboard box. "This is all your stuff, from my room and various other places."

"Andi, wait…" She cut him off.

"No, Bill, don't 'Andi' me. I can't talk about his right now; I don't think I can handle it." She stared solemnly at the ground as Bill sighed.

"Well, you're right. And I guess I deserved that. I'm sorry Andi; I never intended to hurt you."

"No one ever INTENDS to hurt me, Bill. It just happens, one way or another. You're no different than the rest of them." She turned around with her back towards him. "I just wish you would have told me sooner. I wouldn't have invested myself so much in you." She began walking down the paved driveway, her green converse kicking the asphalt in a steady tempo.

"Andromeda, please don't leave," He received silence in reply as he watched the love of his life slowly slip away from his grasp, singing quietly to himself as he shut the maple door.

*******

Tears lavishly tricked down the sides of her lovely cheeks. Again, her heart managed to be torn apart by the individual she cared for so illustriously. A text message flashed across the bright screen.

From: Bill
I know texting probably makes me seem
like a complete coward, but it's the only
way I think you'll actually listen to me.
I'm sorry for everything I did, but I felt
like it'd be easiest for you to handle this
way. I love you, Andromeda, forever
and always, just as I promised once, a
long time ago. And if you ever want to
talk to me again, I'm here; always. I love
you.

She set the messages to 'lock' and closed the phone. Before heading home, she stopped at the local park and sat underneath the extravagantly floral bridge where Bill promised her a lifetime, not so long ago. Tears poured down her olive cheeks, but no sound escaped her rosy lips. Footsteps echoed across the empty land and a familiar figure approached her.

"Andromeda?" The booming, tenor voice both comforted and frightened her all in the same.

"Gustav," she wiped the tears from her face. "Why are you here shouldn't you be practicing or something of the sort?"

"I heard you came by Bill's place." He crouched down next to her and soon after sat, cross-legged, by her side. "I figured that couldn't end well, and I know you well enough to know that you'd come here."

"Yeah, I guess you do," she chuckled. He placed his callused hand on her back and pulled her in close.

"I hope you know none of us had any idea he didn't tell you. We thought he had genuinely told you out front, and you were okay with it. I guess we were really wrong."

"Yeah, but that's Bill for you. He is incredibly manipulative if you haven't noticed."

"I know, Andi. However, I also know you're madly in love with him. You haven't fallen that hard for someone before."

"I know, and I REALLY don't want to lose him, but I can't handle this; not right now."

"I'm sorry, sis. I really am. Is there any way I can make it better? Absolutely anything you say, I'll try to make happen."

"Take me with you."