"Where are you going?" Fifteen year old Aphmau asked from the top of her stairs as Adrian has the front door wide open. "It's almost midnight and you're not in bed."

"Oh," He coughs, "I'm picking up... tampons."

"You're a 15 year old with no car and it's 11:38 pm."

"Mom hasn't been feeling her best and I wanted to surprise her in the morning." He laughs and rubs the back of his neck.

"Adrian, I know when you're lying. Does this have something to do with you and dad's fight? Or did mom do something? Did I? Just talk to me." She starts coming down the stairs but Adrian stops her.

"You did nothing wrong," He sighs as he grips her shoulder. "Mom and Dad don't want me around you anymore."

Aphmau stood there frozen. "W...Why? What did you do wrong?"

He sighs again, "Did Dad ever teach you that in this world, you eat or get eaten?" Aphmau nods, "I chose the wrong choice. Mom and dad want me gone by midnight. I honestly think it's best for us both."

"Adrian, what is going on?"

"I got expelled," He answers. "You know Johnson and Craig are stupid. Apparently, so am I." He says.

"B..But where are you going?"

"Up north with uncle Mike. He's been pretty lonely ever since the divorce with Theresa. But listen to me." Aphmau pays full attention to him. "I love you more than anyone else in this cruel world."

"How are you getting there? Why are you leaving now? Do mom and dad know where you're going? Adrian-"

"I'll come back. On my feet. Uncle Mike's outside and I'm trying to leave without ruckus."

"Just promise me you'll stay in touch." Aphmau goes in to hug him. He frowns and hugs her back.

"I'll try." He responds, "Now I really have to go." He lets go.

"Be careful." She says as Adrian walks out and towards the car. The man from the car waves out to Aphmau and she waves back. Adrian gets in the back seat and buckles his seatbelt.

Before they leave, he waves to Aphmau again. She watches the car until it turns off the street.

This was the day Aphmau could truly say her heart was broken. She just... let him leave. No fights, no arguments, nothing.

Because she wanted him safe.

Next few weeks, Sylvana and Zach spent their days looking for Adrian. Aphmau didn't say a word. All she could do waslook for something that wasn't there.

•○●A Purplla Publish●○•

Compared to that day, this was nothing. But Aphmau just stood there as Jenny pulled away from Aaron with a smile. "Oh! Aphmau! I'm so sorry you walked in on that." She chuckles as she looks back at Aaron.

He pushes her out of the way, "A-Aphmau! I can explain! This isn't what it looks like!"

"Stop." She says, "I know what I saw and I know when I'm not wanted." She turns around and leaves the office.

"Aphmau! Aphmau stop!" Aaron tries to run after her, but Jenny grabs his arm. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"There's no point! She's gone!" She says, "As long as she has us locking lips on loop in her mind, she'll be gone for a while."

"Get off of me!" He flings her hands off his arm. Once he leaves the office, he scans the little mini offices in the middle of the floor.

No sight of Aphmau.

"Has anyone seen Aphmau?" He asks around until someone gives him an answer.

"Ran to the elevator. She's probably headed home early."

"Thank you!" Aaron runs towards the stairs because he knew he wouldn't make it in time if he took the elevator.

Flight after flight, he ran. When he made it to the bottom, he caught Aphmau walking out of the door with her computer bag. "Aphmau! Wait!" He runs outside.

She tries running but Aaron steps in front of her, "Aphmau wait a minute!"

"I know what I saw, I'm not stupid. Let me go by!" She tries pushing him out of the way, but he just continues to walk in front of her.

"I didn't kiss Jenny, she kissed me!"

"I don't even know why I'm jealous! It's not like we're together!" She groans and sits down on a bench. "Since you won't move."

Aaron crotches down in front of her, "Aph."

"Stop it. That won't change what I saw." She crosses her legs and arms, sticking her head up, "You claim to like me so much, so why did you kiss her?"

"She kissed me. I didn't lead her on, she just came out to my desk and kissed me."

She couldn't believe that. She knows what she saw and he couldn't lie his way out of this one.

"I'm sorry, Aaron. I just don't believe that. All I believe is what I saw." She stands up and pulls her car keys from the computer bag.

"Aphmau, please." He stands up as she starts walking towards her car. She unlocks it and steps in, closing and locking the door so Aaron can't get in. "Aph, I love you!"

She starts the car up. "Aphmau, listen to me. I am in love with you, not Jenny. I know we're not offical, but I would never do anything to hurt you because I love you!"

She pulls the driver stick to reverse, "Aphmau. Please."  She backs the car out of the parking space, puts the car in drive, and rolls away.

The farther she got away, the more hurt Aaron got.

The more he really wanted Jenny gone.

~~~

Aphmau opens the front door and slams it, "Home already?" Katelyn looks away from the TV, but Aphmau doesn't look up. She walks up the stairs to her door and shuts the door.

She kicks her shoes off her feet and flops onto her bed. "Ugh. Boys suck." She checks her phone.

1:18 pm

6 missed calls from Aaron❤

One voicemail from Aaron ❤

She put the phone to the side and looked up at the ceiling. "Where are you when I need you?" 

She sits up and picks up a box that has purple wrapping paper and a big golden bow on it. She knows she has to wait until Christmas morning, but she'd rather open it now. With no hesitation, she tears open the wrapping paper and opens the box. Inside lies a white and gold music box and a letter. Before she picks up the music box, she opens the letter.

Dearest Aphmau, 

It took me a few months, but I eventually found something that I know you'd really like. Looks like the one you had as a child, eh? I'm sorry I can't be in town for the holidays, but I really do hope you love the gift. Remember, I love you and I hope I get to see you again real soon.

Love, Adrian 

She pulls the music box out and opens it. Two dancers, a male and a female, start spinning to the rhythm of the classical music. Aphmau smiles and picks the box up. "I love you too, A." She sets the box down on the night stand and lays back down. Before she knew it, she'd fallen asleep. Just then, her phone vibrated and the home screen appeared.

Aaron: I love you Aphmau. I love you

•○●A Purplla Publish●○•

Until next decade,

~JollyPurplla 💚