NovelEnglishShirley was so caught up in her nostalgia that she failed to notice the growing difort on Abner's face. By the tshe realized it, he had already let go of her hand and was making his way towards the exit.
"Abner?" she called out, snapping back to reality, but Abner only quickened his pace and soon disappeared through the front door. Shirley hurried to follow him. "Abner!" she shouted, but just as she took a step, Mark grabbed her wrist.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Shirley, does this mean you agree?” he asked.
Shirley shook off his grip, her brows furrowed. "Agree to what?" "To get back together." "I didn't agree to anything. I just think you're right about one thing high school was great. But we're college graduates now; we can't live in the past forever." With that, she took off in the direction Abner had gone. It was her oversight. She had noticed his unease, how the presence of her father, and especially Mark, seemed to trigger feelings of abandonment in Abner.
By the tshe got outside, Abner was nowhere to be seen. Mark, left standing alone, looked increasingly grim, as if he had made ssignificant, unsettling decision.
Shirley got into her car and tried calling Abner, but he didn't pick up. That kid, showing a bit of temper now. She drove around but couldn't find any trace of Abner.
She searched till midnight and, not finding him, headed back to her apartmentplex in defeat. That's when she saw Abner, looking forlorn, sitting at the entrance.
His knees were drawn up to his chest, making the tall figure seem like a lost child. Relieved, she quickly got out of the car and approached him. Seeing him looking so deserted broke her heart. After all, he had been so dedicated at school, it was unlikely he made many friends. And here in Greenfield, without his family, where could he go? Probably just wandered around before ending up back here.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShirley had intended to scold him, but at that moment, she found she couldn't. "You're grown up, aren't you?" Abner looked up at her, then buried his head in his arms. Shirley sighed, rubbing her temples. "Abner, are you worried that if Mark and I got back together, I'd neglect you? Look, we're not getting back together, and even if we did, I wouldn't ignore you." The words 'not getting back together' seemed to lift his spirits instantly. Shirley noticed his tear-streaked face.
"Really?" he asked.
She couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and irritation. "Get up." Standing up, Abner followed her, his voice filled with a newfound hope as he asked, "Really not getting back together?" Shirley shook her head, “No, and don't run off without a word next time." Abner breathed a sigh of relief and apologized. Shirley didn't mind; in fact, she felt a sense of aplishment. She preferred this slightly temperamental Abner to the one who always held back.
Back home, she went through a list of reminders with him. After all, she was leaving the country the next morning for two months. By the tshe returned, he'd be starting his senior year.
Abner felt content watching her fuss around, and before going to his room, he couldn't resist hugging Shirley Shirley stiffened, then patted his back, "Alright, it's good to show sbackbone, but don't act like you never grew up." On the first day of his senior year, Abner sensed something off. People looked at him strangely. Though he was never much for chatting, this felt distinctly different.
"Abner, you... you should talk to Mr.
et James. Someone posted about your family situation on the school forum-about your parents. It's all over the school now. Sparents from our class are even asking for you to be moved to a different class." mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1
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