Well, I guess they were a second late. 

 I took my phone from my dressing table, my drunkenness completely evaporating out of my body as if the previous night and the previous year ceased to exist. I picked up my phone and texted Amy.

Hey 😉

I waited five seconds and…

This account has blocked you.

I smiled.

…

I met Amy at lunch when school started.

“I’m not going to hear an I told you so,” Amy said.

I grinned at her. “I…”

“No, no,” Amy said. “I’m not going to hear it.”

She covered her ears. I laughed at her.

“Maybe if I stop being a stubborn, selfish jackass I’ll get out of here,” I said in a mocking voice.

“Shurrup shurrup shurrup.”

“I really need to work on myself,” I said. “Then maybe I’ll get out of here.”

Amy stamped a foot down. “I’m not going to take your insults. Maybe I did something wrong this time around. I was too slow. Yeah, that’s it. I need to start doing things faster. Be more honest and upfront about what I need.”

“Denial is the first stage of grief,” I said.

“You shut up and watch me,” Amy said, walking off into the distance. “I’ll show you and wipe that smug ass grin right off your face.”

…

Amy was a bit more upfront this time. She dropped the toxic people in her life with more gusto and passion, she raised her hands a lot more in class and even got into an art competition instead of just improving her skills. She applied to an art university, got great grades and at the end of the year she gave me a call.

“See you next year,” Amy said. “Not.”

She burst into a fit of laughter. I hung up and waited for the clock to strike 12 and…