Another week passed without Clarisse returning. There were matters at the school in LA, and his advisor urged him to return immediately, so he had no choice but to leave. Since the torment he endured that first night back in her bed, he had moved back to their original shared place and had someone tidy it up; it felt less desolate now.
Just as he was leaving with his luggage, he saw her and Farah laughing as they got out of a taxi; apparently, they had returned today. They were deep in conversation, Farah animatedly gesturing while Clarisse giggled along. He felt a surge of anger, but they completely ignored his presence, except for a slight surprise on seeing him, after which Clarisse gave him a faint smile and followed Farah with her luggage towards Farah's house.
