Xavier

As we sat on the bench, licking our ice cream, I couldn't help but steal glances at Alice. She had a smudge of ice cream on her face, and I gently wiped it off with my thumb.

"Is there anything you're forgetting?" she asked, looking up at me, her eyes searching.

"What is that?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

She sighed deeply and said, "You aren't going to tell me why you left. You aren't going to say anything about that. Xavier!"

I felt a pang of guilt and shook my head.

"I'm really sorry," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm sorry for causing all this towards you. I...