El Último Adiós de Stella narra la emotiva historia de amor entre dos jóvenes que enfrentan la despedida en el momento más crucial de sus vidas. Un amor que, aunque intenso y profundo, se ve marcado por la tragedia de la separación. A lo largo de esta conmovedora historia, los personajes luchan contra las circunstancias y se enfrentan a los desafíos de una despedida que cambiará sus destinos para siempre. ¡Acompáñalos en este viaje lleno de emociones y sentimientos encontrados!
#ElÚltimoAdiósDeStella #DramaRomántico #HistoriaDeAmor #Despedida #RelaciónDePareja #AmorYTragedia #AmorImposible #SentimientoProfundo #DramaEmocional #AmorJuvenil #HistoriaDeAdolescentes #AmorADistancia #SeriesVirales #DramaModerno #HistoriaConmovedora #RomanceJuvenil #DespedidaTriste #AmorProhibido
#ElÚltimoAdiósDeStella #DramaRomántico #HistoriaDeAmor #Despedida #RelaciónDePareja #AmorYTragedia #AmorImposible #SentimientoProfundo #DramaEmocional #AmorJuvenil #HistoriaDeAdolescentes #AmorADistancia #SeriesVirales #DramaModerno #HistoriaConmovedora #RomanceJuvenil #DespedidaTriste #AmorProhibido
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Short filmTranscript
00:06The summer I turned 18, Asher made me cross a line I could never take back.
00:10I bit my lip through the ache, glowing secretly all night,
00:13convinced that six long years of loving him from a distance had finally, finally paid off.
00:18Then the next morning, I heard his friend laughing outside the classroom door.
00:22Okay, okay, got the nerd to give it up, huh?
00:26My face burned, and I turned to slip away before anyone saw me.
00:29I'm trying to get with Chloe, but she'd think I was too inexperienced.
00:33So I used Stella to get some practice in first.
00:35I didn't say a single word.
00:36I just quietly changed my college application from NYU to a school thousand miles away in California.
00:43His words hit me like a thunderclap out of a cloudless summer sky.
00:46No warning at all.
00:48My mind went completely blank.
00:49It was a scorching July afternoon, but I felt like ice was spreading through every inch of my body.
00:54The guys inside kept talking, pausing only for a half second before someone else piped up.
01:01Classic Ashen, even Stella was just a warm-up for him.
01:04Everyone knows how hard it is to get into her pants.
01:09So what does that make her, like a practice dully?
01:13Asher just laughed it off.
01:16Relax, she got something out of it too.
01:18I mean, Stella's cute and all, but compared to Chloe, yeah, no contest.
01:23Right.
01:24Asher threw a textbook at him to shut him up.
01:27It was just a vibe, okay?
01:28The moment happened, and honestly, she seemed like she was enjoying herself.
01:33The guys all exchanged knowing looks and started roasting him.
01:36Who knew the book bird was that freaky under all those cardigans?
01:40Bro, Asher's just built different.
01:42Why leave free food on the table, right?
01:44She's been chasing him for years.
01:46Technically, she got what she wanted.
01:47The laughter inside the room got noticeably louder.
01:51I pressed my teeth into my lower lips so hard I tasted copper.
01:54Both hands balled into white-knuckled fists.
01:57It took every single ounce of willpower I had to stay upright,
02:00to not just crumple right there in the doorway.
02:02Footsteps echoed down the hall toward me.
02:04I snapped back to reality and bolted,
02:07shoving my way blindly through the corridor.
02:09In my panic, I threw myself into the nearest bathroom stall
02:12and locked the door behind me.
02:18The tears came like a dam breaking, grief and humiliation pouring out all at once.
02:23Asher's words played on a loop inside my head, every single syllable.
02:27They shredded what little self-worth I had left.
02:29If I hadn't heard it with my own ears,
02:32I never could have believed that the guy talking in there
02:34was the same one who had held me like I was something precious just last night.
02:38Turns out you don't actually need to love someone to do that with them.
02:42Turns out you can look a girl dead in the eyes,
02:44make her feel everything,
02:46and still be lying through every single second of it.
02:49The thing I thought was my happily ever after
02:51was just a punchline someone else got to laugh at.
02:54The more I cried, the worse it got.
02:56But I couldn't make a sound.
02:58My whole body was shaking so hard I could barely breathe.
03:01A long time passed.
03:03My phone buzzed.
03:04It was Asher.
03:05Just grab an Uber back.
03:06My crew's got a party tonight, and it'd be awkward to bring you.
03:09I didn't reply.
03:10He sent a follow-up.
03:11Also, pick up a morning after pill yourself.
03:14I'm busy today.
03:15Don't forget to take it.
03:16Good girl.
03:16I stared at those two texts for a very, very long time without moving.
03:21From dusk until nearly sunrise,
03:23Asher had been relentless, like he had a point to prove.
03:26By the end, we were both completely wrecked,
03:28and right before he drifted off with his arms around me,
03:31he'd murmured the same thing twice.
03:33We weren't really prepared for your first time.
03:38I'll get you the pill first thing tomorrow morning.
03:41He'd even given me this little lecture about how girls needed to take care of themselves,
03:45said the morning after pill was really important,
03:48and that skipping it could mess up my body.
03:50And I had actually thought,
03:52This is it.
03:52He's the one.
03:53He's being so responsible.
03:55I finally got my person.
03:57And now, the clarity hit me like a slap.
04:00I dug my nails into my own palm until the pain forced the tears to stop.
04:04I wiped my face, straightened my glasses,
04:07and walked out of that bathroom like nothing had happened.
04:10I was too embarrassed to go to a real pharmacy,
04:12so I ordered the pill online instead.
04:14When the delivery guy left the package at my door,
04:17I waited another long stretch before I could even bring myself to go get it.
04:21I swallowed it with a mouthful of my own tears,
04:23and then I just sat down on the floor,
04:26staring at nothing, completely empty.
04:31Ever since Asher's family had moved next door to mine,
04:34I'd trailed after him like a shadow,
04:36and that had been 10 years of my life.
04:38I had genuinely never stopped to think about what a world without him would even look like.
04:43I couldn't picture it,
04:44but starting right now,
04:45I was going to have to figure it out alone.
04:47Outside the floor-to-ceiling window,
04:49the neighborhood lights blinked on,
04:51one by one,
04:52and then off again.
04:53At some point,
04:54I really didn't know how long I'd been sitting there,
04:57Mia called me on FaceTime.
05:11In the dark corner of the VIP booth,
05:14Asher and Chloe were sitting so close together,
05:16their thighs were touching.
05:17Chloe had worn a crop top,
05:19and a curve-hugging mini-skirt,
05:21long tan legs,
05:22tiny waist.
05:23Even the way they were talking looked more like whispering secrets than having a conversation.
05:28I could feel the charged energy between them through the screen,
05:31something in my chest locked up.
05:33He'd only said he wanted to chase her this afternoon,
05:35and apparently,
05:37tonight was all the time he needed.
05:39The game switched to truth or dare,
05:40and Chloe drew a card that said,
05:45Do a push-up challenge with a guy hovering over me.
05:50Predictably,
05:51Asher got in tears before anyone else could open their mouth.
05:54Chloe blushed bright pink and lay back against the couch cushions.
05:57Asher planted his hands on either side of her.
06:00He was controlled the whole time,
06:02deliberately keeping his body from making contact with hers,
06:05until the very last one.
06:07His arms gave out,
06:08and his entire weight came down directly on top of her.
06:12The room erupted.
06:13Everyone screaming so loud,
06:15the walls practically shook.
06:16Asher's and Chloe's faces went even redder.
06:19With the whole crowd going absolutely feral around them,
06:22Asher just tilted his head down and kissed her.
06:24Not a quick peck,
06:25a full, deep,
06:27for the whole room to see kiss.
06:29Three full minutes before they finally pulled apart.
06:31For all three of those minutes,
06:33I sat completely frozen.
06:34Eyes locked on the screen,
06:36barely remembering to breathe.
06:38I wanted to cry so badly.
06:41Oh my God,
06:42Stella,
06:43did you see that?
06:44He literally kissed her in front of everyone.
06:46He is so into her.
06:49Mia shook her head and stepped out of the booth,
06:51turning the camera as she went.
06:52Don't be mad at me.
06:54If I hadn't shown you,
06:55you never would have let yourself move on.
06:57I'm not mad at you.
06:58I'm only mad at myself for wasting so many years.
07:02I had always assumed that the spot beside Asher was mine,
07:05that it would always be mine.
07:07I am so done with him,
07:08Stella.
07:08Who does he think he is,
07:10watching you love him for years,
07:11acting all innocent like he had no idea,
07:12just letting you fall deeper and deeper?
07:14You saw what I showed you.
07:16I'm not giving myself the chance.
07:18Mia,
07:19I've already decided I'm going to California with you,
07:22but you have to promise me you'll keep it quiet for now.
07:25Right after I said it,
07:26I flipped open my laptop right in front of her.
07:29Without a single second of hesitation,
07:30I changed my first choice school to the one in California,
07:34one minute before the deadline.
07:36Mia basically levitated off the ground.
07:38She'd been begging me for months to apply to the same school as her.
07:42But back when we started high school,
07:44Asher and I had made this pact.
07:45We'd work hard together
07:47and go to his dream school up in Boston after graduation.
07:50It had his aerospace engineering program,
07:52the one he'd been obsessed with since we were kids.
07:55So even though I didn't particularly love the idea of brutal winters,
07:58and even though that school was a technical institute
08:01that didn't even have my major,
08:03I'd spent three years treating it like my only option.
08:06Our families had lived next door to each other for so long
08:09that both sets of parents thought it was basically a done deal
08:12we'd end up at the same school.
08:13Everyone, including me,
08:15assumed Asher and I would just naturally become official
08:18once we got to college.
08:19But right now,
08:20I couldn't think of a single reason to still go to Boston.
08:23Because honestly,
08:24after today,
08:25if I kept following Asher around the way I always had,
08:28I would never be able to look myself in the mirror again.
08:31I just needed to go somewhere far away.
08:33It didn't even matter where,
08:35as long as he wasn't there.
08:36He was going east,
08:37so I was going west.
08:39Before bed,
08:40I filled the entire bathtub.
08:42I needed to scrub every inch of myself clean.
08:45But when I took off my clothes,
08:47the bruises on my skin were still so vivid,
08:49it made me flinch.
08:51The memories from last night rushed back before I could stop them.
08:54The burning heat of his skin pressed against mine.
08:57The sound of his breath ragged and warm against my ear.
09:01The ghost of it all still seemed to linger in the air around me.
09:04I shook my head hard,
09:06physically trying to shake myself free of it.
09:08Then,
09:08I grabbed the roughest loofah I owned
09:10and scrubbed myself raw,
09:12over and over,
09:14until my whole body was flushed pink from singing.
09:17I was trying,
09:18clumsily,
09:19desperately,
09:20to erase what was officially
09:21the worst night of my entire life.
09:24The result was that the pain kept me awake the whole night anyway.
09:28Asher didn't text.
09:29For the first time in six years,
09:31ever since we both got phones,
09:33we didn't say goodnight to each other.
09:35That was fine.
09:35It was going to happen eventually anyway.
09:37Tonight was as good a time as any to start letting go.
09:40I didn't fall asleep until just before sunrise,
09:43drifting in and out of exhaustion.
09:45Early the next morning,
09:47while I was still buried in sleep,
09:48I felt,
09:49in that foggy space between dream and awake,
09:52the soft press of lips against my forehead.
09:55I jolted awake.
09:56The first thing my eyes landed on
09:58was a jaw I knew too well,
10:00and the soft dip of a throat right above me.
10:02The scent hit me next.
10:04Cedarwood.
10:04That cologne he always wore.
10:06And underneath it,
10:07the faintest trace of something new.
10:09Something citrusy that wasn't his.
10:12Right.
10:12I'd completely forgotten that Asher still knew my front door code.
10:16Seeing me awake,
10:17he shifted lower,
10:18and tilted his face down toward my lips.
10:20I shoved him back with both hands
10:22and scrambled to the far edge of the bed.
10:24He blinked,
10:24then let out a short laugh like I'd surprised him.
10:29Since when are you shy?
10:31I didn't answer.
10:32I just yanked the blanket over my head
10:34and disappeared under it.
10:35Asher started talking.
10:39Stella, seriously.
10:40You didn't say goodnight,
10:41you turned your phone off,
10:42and now you're hiding under a blanket?
10:45Still avoiding me?
10:46Then he just lifted the blanket
10:48and slid himself right in.
10:51Hey, how many times have I told you?
10:53You can't skip breakfast.
10:55I ran half a mile to get you those croissants
10:58from your favorite place,
10:59and I stood in line forever.
11:01Want to get up and eat now?
11:03Or get eaten?
11:07Reality crashed back in,
11:09and I fought like my life depended on it.
11:11But I'm 5'2 in sneakers,
11:12and Asher is literally 6'2 of solid muscle.
11:16I honestly could not figure out what game he was playing.
11:18He had Chloe now,
11:20so what was he even doing in my bed?
11:22I tried to push him away,
11:23only to be held even tighter.
11:25Let go of me!
11:27After what felt like forever of thrashing around,
11:29I was panting and had accomplished nothing
11:32except being held even tighter.
11:34What's the tantrum about?
11:36You're mad because I didn't bring you to the party last night?
11:39Over something that small?
11:41I said nothing.
11:41He buried his face in the curve of my neck
11:44and actually laughed.
11:45Let me guess.
11:47Mia told you something?
11:48It was a party game, Stella.
11:50Is it really worth getting jealous over?
11:52You're doing that thing you always do.
11:55I get slightly close to another girl,
11:57and you go all silent and sulky.
11:59I was so furious,
12:01I couldn't even form a sentence.
12:02I dredged up something from a self-defense unit in gym class,
12:06snapped my knee up hard between us,
12:07and the second he doubled over,
12:09I launched myself out of that bed.
12:11Stella.
12:12Asher's jaw went tight,
12:13his whole face going red.
12:15I grabbed a hoodie off the floor
12:16and yanked it on over my pajamas.
12:19I did not want to be in any room with him.
12:22And especially not my bedroom.
12:33Hey, you took that pill yesterday, right?
12:36Because I really don't need that kind of drama,
12:37and I definitely don't want to have that conversation with your parents.
12:48Come on, be reasonable.
12:50Eat something before you pick a fight.
12:54You know your stomach's sensitive.
13:04What is actually going on?
13:07Stella, even a tantrum needs a reason.
13:09There have to be some limits here.
13:11I kept my voice ice cold and set it flat.
13:14I don't deserve to have any say.
13:17Asher snapped.
13:18He slammed the cup down on the coffee table so hard it cracked.
13:21The plastic split and the smoothie spilled out in a wave,
13:25soaking into the rug.
13:43His voice had a viciousness to it I had never heard before.
13:47The second he finished speaking, my eyes flooded.
13:50No warning, no buildup, just instant tears.
13:54Yesterday's humiliation came crashing back, hitting me all over again like a fresh wound.
13:59Asher clearly hadn't expected me to cry this hard this fast.
14:02He looked genuinely thrown, scrambling for what to do.
14:05He crouched down and said he was sorry.
14:08I'm sorry.
14:09I drank too much last night and I was out of line just now.
14:12He reached out to wipe my face, but I twisted away, putting distance between us.
14:16His hand froze in midair, hovering there.
14:18He opened his mouth to keep trying, but his phone buzzed.
14:21He glanced at the screen once, and his entire expression shifted,
14:25and he stood up and moved toward the door.
14:27I've got something urgent.
14:28Take a minute to calm down.
14:30We're going to college soon.
14:32You can't keep throwing fits like a little kid who's going to put up with that.
14:42He hadn't been gone 30 minutes when Mia sent me a screenshot.
14:46Chloe's Instagram story just said,
14:48I'm hungry, and breakfast appeared like magic.
14:51Pretty sure this is mutual now, with a little heart.
14:53The photo was of the exact same croissants that were sitting on my kitchen counter.
14:58I didn't respond.
14:59I just quietly wiped my eyes, got on my hands and knees,
15:02and started cleaning up the smoothie Asher had spilled.
15:05I scrubbed for a long time before I accepted, with a hollow feeling in my chest,
15:10that the stain had soaked all the way through the wool rug and wasn't coming out.
15:14So, I just threw the whole rug in the trash.
15:16It didn't matter anyway.
15:17That rug was something Asher and his parents had spent an entire afternoon picking out on a family trip,
15:23and he'd lugged it home in his carry-on himself.
15:25Then, I went through everything else.
15:27Every single thing Asher had ever left at my place.
15:31Every gift he'd given me over the years.
15:33Every photo of the two of us.
15:35Every small souvenir and keepsake.
15:37It took the rest of the day, but I packed every last bit of it up and threw it all
15:41out.
15:45I doubted he'd want any of it back anyway.
15:47After he left that day, the silence stretched.
15:50Days went by, and he didn't reach out at all.
15:52Things with Chloe were probably going great.
15:54Or maybe he was waiting for me to be the one who caved first.
15:57In every fight we'd ever had, I was always the one who broke first.
16:01Every single time.
16:03No exceptions.
16:04But this time, I didn't go looking for him.
16:06And I didn't have any reason to.
16:07I blocked him on everything.
16:09Texts, all social media, changed my front door code, and deleted every account he might use to find me.
16:15After that, I called my parents, who were both traveling for work.
16:18I told them I wanted to spend the summer visiting my aunt on the other side of the country.
16:22My plan was to stay there until school started, then head straight to California with Mia instead of coming home.
16:28Other than Mia, no one else knew yet that I'd changed my application.
16:32This plan should work perfectly.
16:34There was basically zero chance I'd run into Asher if I pulled this off right.
16:38My mom actually laughed over the phone.
16:42Ooh, so you and Ashler are taking a vacation together?
16:46I made up a quick excuse and didn't go into detail.
16:48I just told her I wanted to visit my aunt and grandma.
16:51I begged my dad to book me the first available flight, and I was ready to leave that same night.
16:56Of course, because the universe has no chill, I ran into Asher's mom right at our front door on my
17:02way out.
17:03She grabbed my arm warmly and started chattering.
17:06Stella, honey, where's Asher? He's not going to pick you up?
17:09Didn't he say he was taking you on that ski trip?
17:13Go have fun. I am 100% behind you two.
17:18I was confused.
17:19I had mentioned once during senior year that I'd always wanted to try skiing in Colorado, just offhand.
17:26But given everything that had happened between us, the idea of going on a trip together seemed completely impossible.
17:32I was running out of time, though, so I said something vague and noncommittal and slipped away.
17:37What I never expected was that at the airport, I would come face to face with Asher.
17:44He was with a group of friends.
17:46Chloe was there, too.
17:47Asher had her designer bag in one hand and his other arm slung around her shoulder.
17:51They were trailing at the back of the group.
17:53Every so often, Chloe would lean her head toward him to say something.
17:57And every single time, without any hesitation, he would bend down to listen.
18:02He never did that with me.
18:03Asher had always been taller than me, and the gap had only gotten bigger over the years.
18:08When it was the two of us, I was always the one bouncing on my toes, craning my neck up
18:12just to catch his eyes.
18:14Turns out, for the right person, he would be the one who bends.
18:18I breathed in slowly.
18:19I told myself I needed to have some dignity about this.
18:23Whatever he did was none of my business.
18:25If I let myself overthink it, I deserved to be slapped.
18:28But there seemed to be only one path to the gate.
18:31All I could do was stay far enough behind that he wouldn't notice me.
18:34By some miracle, we eventually reached a fork in the terminal where the path split.
18:39Asher seemed to get distracted around then.
18:41He made a bunch of calls, none of which seemed to go through, and then spent a long time staring
18:46at his phone.
18:47Eventually, he borrowed someone else's phone, his face dark and unreadable, and disappeared into a nearby bathroom.
18:53A moment later, my phone rang.
18:55Unknown number.
18:57So you've got a real attitude on you this time.
19:00You're just not going to come to me first?
19:03You actually blocked me?
19:05Fine, keep it up.
19:07See how great you do when we're both in Boston, and you don't know anyone, and there's no one to
19:10look out for you.
19:11Asher came out swinging, rattling off complaints in one long, irritated breath.
19:16I had absolutely nothing to say to any of that, but Asher seemed to get angrier at my silence.
19:22I'm done talking about this, just unblock me.
19:25I'm heading out of the country for a couple days with some friends.
19:28Probably won't have great reception.
19:32Don't get all weepy about it.
19:34I couldn't even be bothered to say a single word back.
19:37I hung up and turned my phone off.
19:39From across the terminal, I watched Asher stalk back to his group, his expression stormy.
19:44He grabbed Chloe's hand, didn't hesitate for a second, and walked toward the left gate.
19:49I let out a long breath, turned around, and headed right.
19:54With my family, I performed happiness.
19:56And honestly, I got pretty good at it.
19:59I deliberately kept myself slammed with plans, filling every gap in the day so I had no room to spiral.
20:05I definitely didn't add Asher back the way he'd demanded.
20:08But Mia and some others kept me updated on his life anyway.
20:11Asher and his friends had apparently been swimming in Colorado for days.
20:15For some reason, he was suddenly posting on social media every single day.
20:19Which was completely unlike the version of him who used to go months without posting anything.
20:24Sometimes it was slow motion clips of him carving down the slopes.
20:28Sometimes it was food and late night parties.
20:30But mostly, it was big group shots of everyone clowning around in the snow.
20:34Even though I genuinely didn't want to see it.
20:37Somehow, people kept sending it to me unprompted.
20:39Everyone was very casually curious about why I hadn't gone with Asher.
20:43I didn't know what to say, so I just told people I had family stuff going on.
20:48Mia was the only one who openly called him a trash human.
20:51Everyone else around me seemed to be constantly stopping themselves from saying something.
20:55I knew, they'd probably figured out something was wrong.
20:59In every single group photo Asher posted, he and Chloe were glued together, inseparable.
21:04But that spot beside him had been mine for years, just mine.
21:08Every time I saw one of those photos, my face stayed completely neutral.
21:12But something deep in my chest would clench.
21:14He was the first person I ever fell for.
21:16Someone I had genuinely, completely, embarrassingly loved for such a long time.
21:21In the middle of the night, alone, I would fall apart a little.
21:24And sometimes I felt this stubborn, stupid feeling that I wasn't ready to let go.
21:29But every time that feeling started rising, I'd replay his words and give myself a mental slap.
21:34I'd repeat it to myself over and over.
21:37Stella, don't be pathetic.
21:38That's the fastest way to make yourself even less worth respecting.
21:42Just hold on a little longer.
21:43Once the detox period was over, everything would be fine.
21:47We went a full month without any contact.
21:49The longest we'd ever gone since the day we met.
21:51Distance and time turned out to be the best medicine.
21:54I ground through the worst of it and came out the other side.
21:57Just when I'd reached the point where I didn't think about him every hour of every day,
22:01he switched to a new number and called me from across the country.
22:07So you're just that bold?
22:09Running off without me and staying this long?
22:13Summer's almost over, Stella.
22:16Did you forget you promised to go on a trip with me?
22:18Maybe it was because we'd gone so long without talking.
22:21But underneath all the complaints, his voice had this edge to it.
22:25Almost careful.
22:26I still didn't want to talk to him.
22:27I was about to hang up when his mom snatched the phone.
22:30Stella!
22:31Sweetheart!
22:32Are you having fun out there?
22:34This boy won't tell me anything.
22:36I only just found out you two had a fight.
22:39Don't be too hard on him, honey.
22:41When you come back, I'll make him apologize to your face.
22:45Oh, and Ashler just got his acceptance letter today.
22:48Yours should come soon, too.
22:50Have you thought about when you'll come home for your going away party?
22:54I've got a little surprise planned.
22:56Asher's mom had been like a second family to me since I was little.
22:59I couldn't bring myself to hang up on her, so I stayed on and let her talk.
23:03I'm not really planning to have a party.
23:05My parents are always traveling,
23:07and honestly, we can just do a video call thing with family.
23:11I probably won't be back before school starts anyway.
23:13I'll just come home right before move in.
23:15I didn't even finish the sentence before Asher took the phone back.
23:19His breathing was heavy.
23:20I could feel the anger coming through from 3,000 miles away.
23:26Stella, I'm literally the one reaching out first here.
23:28How much longer are you going to keep this up?
23:31If you don't come back, don't expect me to wait for you.
23:34I'll head to Boston without you.
23:36He delivered the threat in this cold, flat voice.
23:40Waited and waited without getting the answer he wanted.
23:43My acceptance letter had already arrived at home.
23:46When they saw the school name on the letter,
23:48my parents finally found out I'd changed my application.
23:51My mom video called me.
23:52Hi, baby.
23:54Why didn't you talk to us before changing your application?
23:57Does Asher know?
23:59His mom called this morning asking if your letter had come yet.
24:03I had no words.
24:07Baby, how are we supposed to feel okay about you going all the way to California alone?
24:11Aren't you the kid who's terrified of bugs and can't handle heat?
24:15You really think you can manage?
24:17Don't call me to come deal with it for you.
24:19That school has a lot to offer, and Mia will be going there too.
24:23You don't have to worry.
24:25Is this about a fight with Asher?
24:27Because that's not a reason to switch schools across the country.
24:32What if you change your mind in a week and want him back?
24:35Then what?
24:36It's hard at your caption.
24:38I just decided to say it straight.
24:42Asher has a girlfriend.
24:43Mom, Dad, I have my own life, and I don't want to just orbit around his forever.
24:50So please support my choice, and please keep it between us for now.
24:55My parents looked at each other for a long time without speaking.
24:59The only thing they asked was that I come home sooner rather than later.
25:03School was starting soon, and they wanted time with me.
25:06My mom mentioned that Asher had gone off on another trip with friends
25:09the very next day after getting his acceptance letter.
25:12He'd been gone for days.
25:14His mom was apparently calling my mom regularly, asking when I was flying back.
25:18On the day I landed, my parents showed up at the airport,
25:21dressed like they were going somewhere formal.
25:23I woke up from my nap on the drive.
25:25I realized they'd pulled up to a five-star hotel.
25:29I was still half asleep when my mom grabbed my arm and steered me through the lobby.
25:33And right there, standing in the middle of it, was Asher, who I hadn't seen in months.
25:38My feet stopped moving on their own.
25:41Asher was in a perfectly fitted black suit, leaning casually beside the lobby fountain,
25:46like something out of a magazine spread.
25:48Just one summer was all it took.
25:50The boyish edge had faded, and he looked exactly like the version of him I used to imagine
25:55when I tried to picture him grown up.
25:57Something complicated twisted in my chest.
25:59I'd avoided this moment for months, and now here it was, sprung on me with no warning.
26:05Stella, it's Ashler's going away party.
26:07We figured we'd pick you up and bring you straight here.
26:10You said you didn't want a party of your own, right?
26:13Ashley asked his parents to set the date for the day you got back,
26:17so you can kind of both celebrate together.
26:19Asher seemed to sense something, because right then, he casually glanced over,
26:23and his gaze landed directly on mine.
26:25My heart lurched sideways, still felt like the floor dropped out.
26:29But Asher moved first.
26:31He took one step toward us, and then Chloe appeared out of nowhere and slipped her arm through his.
26:36She pulled him along with her, smiling wide, and walked right over to us.
26:40Oh my gosh, Stella, you're back!
26:44I've been wanting to properly meet you forever.
26:47I always saw you around with Asher.
26:51I'm from the AP track, so we never officially met, and I'm genuinely sad about that.
26:58Yeah, Asher looked vaguely uncomfortable.
27:01Why would you want to get to know her?
27:03She's just a drama queen who throws fits.
27:07I honestly thought she'd stayed in her aunt's state forever.
27:10The world will keep on turning, and your name will be forgotten.
27:13I had nothing to say to that.
27:15There was genuinely no response.
27:17Chloe's silver bodycon dress was covered in tiny crystals that caught every bit of light in the room.
27:22I glanced down at myself.
27:23White tea, jeans, sneakers, hair that still had a slight slept-on wave from the plane.
27:28I looked like I'd made a wrong turn on the way to a convenience store.
27:32I brought a dress for you, baby.
27:33You can go change in the powder room.
27:34I nodded, then shook my head.
27:36There was no point.
27:38This wasn't my party.
27:39Asher kept staring at me with this unreadable expression.
27:42Chloe's eyes kept flicking back and forth between the two of us.
27:45Luckily, a few more guests arrived just then, and Chloe immediately pulled Asher over to greet them.
27:51Like she was already the hostess.
27:52Mom, let's go in.
27:53I'm a little hungry.
27:56It was a small gathering.
27:58Asher had only invited close family and a handful of friends.
28:01Every single person I knew looked visibly shocked when they saw me walk in.
28:05I just smiled and said hello and acted like I didn't notice, but nobody was subtle about their curiosity.
28:11The people watching energy was off the charts.
28:16I slipped out to the terrace for some air and could immediately hear a small group in the hallway cornering
28:21Asher for the gossip.
28:25Wait, didn't Stella fall out with you over the Chloe thing?
28:27Why is she here?
28:28Did she come crawling back?
28:30She's just quick-tempered and in a mood.
28:32She always comes around after a couple of days.
28:34We've known each other our whole lives.
28:35She's not actually going to cut me off.
28:37I mean, Stella's genuinely great.
28:38She's been ride or died for you for years.
28:40All of us are low-key jealous of how she treats you.
28:42But like, one is your childhood best friend.
28:44And honestly, Stella's amazing.
28:46But it also feels kind of limiting.
28:49I'm young.
28:50I don't want to only ever have one person.
28:52That's too predictable.
28:53I need to see what else is out there.
28:55But that doesn't mean anything has to end.
28:57As long as I know there's always a light on at home for me.
29:01You're such a player.
29:02I'd heard enough.
29:03I backed away as quietly as I could.
29:05The evening breeze hit my face and I felt my eyes go hot.
29:09I just hated myself for spending so many years being blind to who he actually was.
29:14I was in absolutely the worst mood of the entire summer.
29:19But Asher's mom was thrilled to see me and spent most of dinner doting on me,
29:24refusing to let go of my hand.
29:25Stella, Boston can get really dry in winter.
29:28Let Asher take you shopping tomorrow and stock up on some good moisturizers.
29:32Oh, it's fine.
29:33There are plenty of shops out there and online shopping is so easy.
29:36She nodded warmly and turned to my mom.
29:39I already picked out all the bedding for the dorms.
29:41I got a set for Asher and one for Stella at the same time, all four seasons covered.
29:46Boston winters are brutal.
29:47I went with really thick comforters and got a few winter coats for Stella too.
29:52Don't you worry about a thing.
29:53My mom made a face like she'd swallowed something.
29:56All of that would be completely useless in California.
29:58But she didn't want to embarrass anyone, so she thanked her graciously.
30:02Chloe, sitting nearby, looked like she was biting through her own cheek.
30:06Asher's mom didn't seem to notice.
30:08She kept right on talking, addressing both of us.
30:11Once you're both in Boston, you'll be each other's family.
30:15Asher, you better take good care of Stella and stop making her upset.
30:18You hear me?
30:19Asher threw a glance my way with zero expression.
30:23She doesn't need anyone to look after her.
30:25She's perfectly capable of flying on her own.
30:27The table got a little stiff, and that's when Chloe smoothly cut in.
30:31Oh, don't worry.
30:31My school is in Boston too.
30:33I'll be there to look after Asher.
30:34And Stella will be all the way in California anyway, so it's not really practical.
30:40Before she even finished the sentence, Asher and his parents' faces changed.
30:44California?
30:45Every single one of them looked at me and asked it at the same time.
30:51Asher, you didn't know?
30:52It's been on the school's honor board.
30:55Oh wait, you haven't been back to campus.
30:57Every pair of eyes at the table swiveled to me.
30:59Under the weight of all that attention, I quietly nodded.
31:03My mom stepped in to explain.
31:05Stella made a last minute decision to change her application.
31:09She's going to a great school in California, and it's actually the perfect program for her.
31:15Asher didn't believe it.
31:16He grabbed my hand and made me look at him.
31:19Stella, I literally watched you fill out that application.
31:23We were going to the same school.
31:25His grip was tight enough to actually hurt, and it pushed me over the edge.
31:29Yeah, I changed it.
31:31What does it have to do with you?
31:33Asher looked stunned for a second, then started laughing like I'd said something ridiculous.
31:37You're joking.
31:38You're literally the girl who jumps onto my back at the sight of a bug, and you're moving
31:43to California?
31:45And you're moving to California?
31:46I pulled out my phone, found the crystal clear photo of my acceptance letter, and held
31:51it up in his face.
31:52Asher took the phone, zoomed in, zoomed out, read it over and over, and finally let out
31:58a laugh that had no humor in it at all.
32:01In the middle of everyone's gasps, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the dining room.
32:07He pulled me into a side room and locked the door behind us.
32:10Asher planted himself against it, cutting off any escape, and came at me hard.
32:14Stella, I cannot believe you.
32:16You're so mad that you just forget our whole plan, go behind my back, and commit Mitt to
32:21a school across the country.
32:22I lifted my head.
32:23I took a breath and made myself look him straight in the eye.
32:26I have my own plans.
32:28Since when do I have to build my entire future around what you want?
32:32Asher, be honest with yourself.
32:34Are you actually upset about the plan?
32:37Or are you upset because I'm not available to be your fallback girl anymore?
32:41The color drained from his face.
32:43What is that supposed to mean?
32:44Could you not phrase things like that?
32:46We're adults.
32:48That night was completely mutual.
32:49Are you seriously still bringing that up?
32:51I was embarrassed, but I held his gaze anyway.
32:54Asher, if you like someone else, you could have just said so.
32:56I'm not so shameless that I would have kept throwing myself at you.
32:59But you knew you didn't like me back, and you just watched me walk straight into the flame.
33:03That was fun for you, wasn't it?
33:04Even now, he still didn't get it.
33:06People don't say goodbye until they've completely run out of hope.
33:09He flushed.
33:10Something in what I said hit.
33:12His face went from white to red, and he visibly swayed.
33:15What do you even listen to what you're saying?
33:18You...
33:18He couldn't finish the sentence.
33:22Stella, we've known each other since we were eight years old, and we're 18 now.
33:26If you're choosing to walk away from what we have, then we don't have to be friends either.
33:30And with just that, he turned and walked out of the hotel.
33:41From that day until the day I left for school, I never saw Asher again.
33:44Mia sent me a screenshot of his official couple's post with Chloe.
33:48I deleted it without even opening it.
33:50Every mutual friend connected to him, I blocked.
33:53There was genuinely no point in following any of it anymore.
33:59The only exception was the day I flew out to California.
34:03Of course, because the universe has a terrible sense of humor,
34:06I walked straight into Asher at the airport again, with Chloe still glued to his side.
34:10When we passed each other, he said a stiff hello to my parents and kept walking,
34:15clearly still angry.
34:16He didn't look at me once.
34:17We scattered in different directions, and neither of us looked back.
34:21Right before I got to the security line, I glanced over and caught Asher at his gate,
34:25about to board.
34:26He gave me one cold, flat look, and then disappeared through the door without turning around.
34:31The person who had been part of every chapter of my growing up.
34:34We were finally completely done.
34:37Different destinations at last, and I hope yours goes well.
34:40I said it only to myself.
34:42After that, a long, long time passed, without either of us hearing a single thing about the other.
34:47I specifically asked my parents not to bring up anything related to Asher or his family in front of me.
34:54Over New Year's break, a girl from our high school came to visit.
34:57He's nothing like that cold, focused, straight-A guy he was in high school.
35:01He's completely different.
35:05Honestly, if you ran into him now, you might not even recognize him.
35:10I didn't say anything.
35:11Mia kicked her under the table and smoothly changed the subject, and the girl dropped it.
35:16We did the New Year's countdown by the water, and Mia told me to make a wish.
35:20Hope New Year, Syria Parent Healthy, Conkeeting Under the World.
35:24I realized it was the first wish I'd ever made that had absolutely nothing to do with him.
35:29For a full six years of my life, every single wish I made had involved Asher in some way.
35:36Mia, Happy New Year!
35:37I felt genuinely happy.
35:39I knew I had finally, actually, completely let go.
35:44The first winter break of college, I missed my parents so badly I couldn't stand it.
35:49The second my last exam was done, I was on the first flight home.
35:52What I didn't expect was that Asher had come to the airport with my parents to pick me up.
35:57After half a year apart, we had both changed.
36:00He was thinner, had dyed his hair, but was still, honestly, annoyingly good-looking.
36:05I've always had terrible judgment about people, but my taste has never been the problem.
36:10Why else would I have been trailing after him since we were five?
36:13Hey there, big bro Asher.
36:14He stared at me like I'd spoken a different language.
36:18We ran into him outside.
36:19He insisted on coming along to help.
36:21I smiled and waved her off.
36:23It was fine.
36:26In the car, I immediately launched into all the funny things that had happened at school,
36:30and my parents were the whole ride.
36:32No one was paying any attention to Asher.
36:36You've worked hard.
36:38Please send our regards to your parents.
36:39He seemed like he wanted to come inside when we got home,
36:42but all three of us politely turned him down together.
36:44My grandma and my aunt had both come back to celebrate the holidays that year.
36:48New Year's Eve was loud and packed with family.
36:51After the big dinner, the older relatives parked themselves in front of the TV,
36:55while the rest of us were teaching each other card games.
36:57That's when Asher showed up at the door with his parents, arms full of bags.
37:01Our house is too quiet tonight.
37:03Hope you don't mind us crashing your game.
37:09Our house is too quiet tonight.
37:11Hope you don't mind us crashing your game.
37:13Asher's mom laughed as she walked in.
37:15Every year growing up, the two families had spent the holiday together.
37:18This year, because of everything that had happened,
37:21my mom had turned down the invitation to share the big dinner.
37:24But you can't exactly turn people away once they're at your door.
37:28Asher settled himself naturally.
37:29My cousins had no idea about any of the drama and kept teasing us like they always had.
37:34I laughed it off.
37:37It's not what you think.
37:38Asher's expression went a little flat.
37:40When midnight came and we all went outside for sparklers,
37:45he caught my arm and looked like he was working up to say something.
37:48My phone rang.
37:49My face went a little warm.
37:51It was a guy from one of my clubs at school.
37:54Hi, Stella.
37:56I'm just a bit bored and wanted to say Happy New Year to you.
37:59A local California boy named Jake.
38:01He was good looking too.
38:02Not in that cold, aloof way.
38:05More like the guy who's always laughing at everything
38:07and making you laugh right along with him.
38:09He never ran out of things to say
38:11and he had a way of making me completely lose it at the most random things.
38:15We talked for a while longer
38:16and when he finally hung up,
38:18Asher was standing right behind me with a face like a thundercloud.
38:23Boyfriend?
38:25Not yet, I guess.
38:30Not yet, I guess.
38:31I thought about it and answered honestly.
38:33I assumed he was done, but then he spoke again.
38:36Long distance guys aren't always reliable.
38:39You should find someone local, someone you actually know.
38:44I nodded.
38:46Something in that seemed to land somewhere tender.
38:48You're right.
38:48You really can't tell with people.
38:50I'll keep my guard up.
38:52Asher went quiet for a very long time.
38:54I assumed he was done.
38:56I didn't think too hard about it.
38:59Thanks for the advice, big bro.
39:00You should figure out your own situation too.
39:03He'd always been unpredictable like that.
39:05After that, I spent the rest of break bouncing around
39:07visiting relatives with my grandma and parents
39:10and then we did a little road trip.
39:11I was barely home.
39:13I didn't run into Asher once.
39:14The break was short and soon enough I was back at school.
39:17But the very next day after I arrived,
39:20Asher was standing outside my campus gate.
39:23Asher, what are you doing here?
39:26I wanted to see what your school looks like
39:29and check if you're actually doing okay out here.
39:32Really well, actually.
39:34The food here is amazing.
39:35You should look up some spots and try them.
39:37Stella,
39:38can't you come eat with me just once?
39:43Sorry about that, man.
39:44I've already got Stella booked.
39:46You'll have to get in line.
39:48Stella,
39:49you came back to school this early for him?
39:54Sorry, Asher.
39:55We're heading out to eat.
39:56I'll see you.
39:57Let's go.
39:58Didn't you say the place was far?
40:00Stop standing there.
40:01Asher was still standing at the campus gate watching us
40:04and under the shadow of the trees,
40:06he looked incredibly alone.
40:08He suddenly started showing up in my world constantly.
40:11I never found out what excuse he gave his school,
40:14but he kept appearing in California out of nowhere.
40:16He started showing up with gifts,
40:18flowers,
40:19bags,
40:19jewelry,
40:20and I turned every single one down.
40:22When there was nothing else to do,
40:24he'd just sit outside my dorm building
40:26and refuse to leave no matter how many times I asked.
40:29Whenever he managed to catch me,
40:31he'd fallen to step beside me to every single class,
40:34then follow me to the dining hall.
40:35Jake was visibly miserable about the whole thing.
40:38Asher's mom had been calling and messaging me
40:40from multiple angles.
40:41She begged me to please talk some sense into him.
40:44I was beyond done.
40:45I genuinely could not figure out
40:47what Asher thought he was doing.
40:50Stella,
40:51why does Jake get to pursue you,
40:52but I don't?
40:54Son of white,
40:55just ask.
40:56He's known you for what?
40:58A few months?
40:59How many years have I known you?
41:02No one in this world understands you the way I do,
41:05not even your parents,
41:06and no one is better for you than me.
41:13Ashler,
41:14do you genuinely not remember what you did?
41:18Ask yourself honestly,
41:20did you ever actually treat my feelings like they mattered?
41:25You just liked the ego boost of having me chase after you.
41:28You knew no matter what you did,
41:30I wouldn't leave,
41:31so you just did whatever you felt like with my heart.
41:35Yeah,
41:35I did some things wrong back then.
41:37I was young,
41:38I thought the whole world was waiting for me,
41:40and I didn't want to feel like I was tied to any one person.
41:44I owe you a real apology,
41:45Stella.
41:46I'm sorry.
41:48But even if you treat me like a stranger,
41:50can I at least have the chance to start over and earn it back?
41:53After you left,
41:54I realized I don't know how to live without you in it.
41:57I can't imagine going forward and not having anyone to share everything with.
42:01Honestly,
42:02since leaving you,
42:03I figured out that real,
42:04mutual feelings don't require you to shrink yourself down to nothing.
42:08I can just be myself.
42:09My mood doesn't have to orbit around someone else's,
42:12and when I realized that,
42:14I started to wonder if what I felt back then was ever real love,
42:17or just something a younger, more naive version of me invented.
42:23But,
42:24but,
42:26we made promises.
42:30We said we'd go to college together,
42:32study abroad together,
42:33travel the whole world together.
42:34Are you going to walk away from all of that too?
42:37Stella,
42:37are you going to leave all this behind too?
42:40You broke the promises first,
42:42and I've already found someone I want to do all of those things with.
42:48Stop,
42:49Stella,
42:49please,
42:50just stop.
42:55Maybe you're not actually in love with me.
42:58Maybe you just can't stand the idea of losing.
43:01Asher,
43:01honestly,
43:03it's time for you to move on too.
43:07I didn't wait for a response.
43:09Jake had been waiting across the street for a while.
43:11I jogged over,
43:12and he immediately reached down and took my hand.
43:17Finally shook the X?
43:20Did you tell him I've got full bug patrol rights now?
43:22He doesn't get a single one.
43:25Everyone is going through their own goodbyes.
43:28As for us,
43:30it's finally completely over.
43:33Fading away like the rain.
43:34Everyone in the middle of their own goodbye.
43:36And just like that,
43:38the two of us were finally,
43:39completely,
43:40over.
43:41Scattered like rain.
43:45All right.
43:45Let's take care of the public.
43:45You know you're a puereton.
43:45What you're talking about?
43:47let's see you.
43:47Let's say about a while.
43:47We're going to let you make the basics.
43:47Let's see you.
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