The Heart Does Go On

For the next few weeks after the break-up I stayed out of Seto’s sight as much as I could. I spent a lot of time with either Duke or Joey, and spent a lot of nights at sleepovers at Yugi’s house with the gang.

I felt kind of guilty still living under Seto’s roof, even though we had no real connection anymore, except for him being my employer. It’s not like I was paying food, rent or bills so I felt like a bit of a user.

However the main reason was that to get over somebody, you have to cease contact with them for a while. Living with Seto was definitely not ceasing contact with someone. Therefore if I only ever came home to eat and sleep, I would rarely see Seto.

Even at work I tried to cease as much contact with Seto as possible. I was still free to work in whatever department I wanted to (I could tell once Seto stopped feeling guilty about falling out of love with me that would change, this was just a ‘honeymoon period’) however I tried to stick in Accounting and helped with problem solving, and made sure I was never the one to have to present information to Seto.

However, a big reason why I was also with the gang a lot was because in a few weeks time we were all going to be split up. Joey was going to west coast USA to compete in a few duel monsters tournaments, Duke was (hopefully) off to Berkeley and Tea was off to study dance in New York. It was sad this was all happening so soon, but I was going to make the most of it.

***

Today was my graduation day. Even though my exams finished 3 weeks ago, the school holds graduation day after school is out for the rest of the year levels, so that the graduation ceremony can be nice and peaceful, without being interrupted by the lower year levels.

I was in the car with Joey, Duke and Tristan. The others were getting there by themselves, and Serenity was going with her Dad to witness our event.

I did straighten my hair and wear a tiny bit of make-up, but I didn’t go all out in my looks. I was only wearing a pink polo Ralph Lauren shirt and a pair of straight-legged jeans. I was going to be wearing my robe and hat, so I wasn’t fussed with what I was wearing.

I was also nervous too. Not only were we receiving our high school diplomas today, we also got our exam results back and we also got our college acceptance letters.

Duke was probably the most nervous though. Getting into Berkeley meant the world to him, he said he’d be ‘okay’ with Domino University, but I could tell he was getting a little homesick, and he really had his heart set on Berkeley.

We stayed fairly silent on the drive over to the school. We just wanted today to be over with, so we could go home and cheer or go home and cry.

Once we pulled up to the school we immediately piled out and put on our robes and hats. We then made our way to the school hall, where everyone was chatting amongst their friends.

We found Yugi, Gramps, Tea and her parents, Tristan’s parents, Kathryn and her parents, Joey’s dad and Serenity. We all chatted amongst each other, and I met Tristan’s parents for the first time. I hadn’t seen Joey’s Dad since Joey and I broke up ages ago, but he was still nice to me.

It was then time for us to go in and be seated.

Our school captain and resident communist Slater got up and said a few words, but he was booed off stage and even bottled. I guess now that high school is over his status is too.

The principal then began to say a few speeches that fell upon deaf ears. Nobody really cared about the sentimental speeches, we accepted that High School is officially over a long time ago, we just want our diplomas, results and acceptance letters and then to get out of here.

Finally, after a long time of waiting, the diplomas and everything else were ready to be handed out. Our group made a pact that we’d wait until the assembly was over to read our results, as some would be getting everything before everyone else.

***

“I’m so scared!” I wailed, still holding my unopened envelopes in my hand.

Everyone else opened their letters one-by-one, so the group could celebrate their victories. Joey and Tristan were happy only because they passed, Kathryn was happy because she got into her hospitality course at Domino Uni, as did Yugi getting into his Domino Uni course. Tea and Duke were more than overjoyed because they both qualified for their dream courses.

There was just me left, whose envelopes remained untouched.

“Ella, just open it!” Joey whined.

“I’m scared. These two envelopes can affect my entire future!” I cried.

“Why don’t you just open up your exam results first? That way, it’ll soften the blow of the college acceptance letters.” Yugi suggested.

“Hey, that’s not a bad idea. Ok then, here we go.” I said, and slowly opened my exam results.

I gasped when I saw my results.

Accounting: A plus
Legal: A
Maths: B plus
English: A
Economics: B plus

“These are so good!” Tea said, as my results were passed around the group.

“Ah what the hell, I’m going to tear open my college acceptance letters!” I beamed, ripping open the final envelopment.

I read the two letters, and let out a large squeal, I got accepted into the two colleges I applied for!

“So did you get in?” Yugi asked me, smiling.

“Yep, both!” I beamed.

“Hey Ella, I think we should have a talk.” Duke said, putting his arm around my shoulder and leading me away from the group.

***

The next day, after coming back from visiting Duke’s house, I came home to see Seto sitting on my bed.

“S-Seto. Hey.” I said, a little shocked and wondering why he was in my room.

“Hi Ella.” Was all that he said.

“I didn’t see you at graduation yesterday…” I said, in an attempt to break the awkwardness and start a conversation.

“I didn’t go. I got my results and diploma mailed to me.” Seto replied.

“Oh. What about acceptance letters?” I asked him.

“I didn’t apply for any courses. I don’t need to. I have all the knowledge needed for Kaiba Corp, and do not see the use of obtaining a degree,” Seto shrugged “However that is why I am here. I am curious to see how you went.”

“Don’t worry Seto, I’m moving out soon. I’ll be out of your hair soon.” I smiled.

“Really? That’s not why I was curious. I just, kind of, really wanted to know how you went.” Seto said, sounding quite awkward and looking downwards.

“I did great. So great that I’m moving to Berkeley with Duke.” I beamed.

“You are?” Seto asked, his head jolting up.

“Sure am.” I smiled.

“When?” He asked, his professional demeanour leaving him.

“Next week we fly out, we booked the flights this morning. First Duke and I are going to stay with Dad in L.A. until we can find some jobs and accommodation over summer. If worst comes to worst, Duke’s dad said we can stay with him until we find anything, but it’s a bit of a hike from Duke’s dad’s mansion to the college.” I replied.

“That’s a little spontaneous of you, isn’t it Miss Campbell?” Seto smirked, knowing that I usually always go by plan.

“Maybe, but sometimes you need to do spontaneous things. We’ll easily be able to get a job and accommodation, if we get desperate there’s always on campus accommodation. And if you agree to let me use you as a reference, I can get any job I want.” I said, a small smile on my face.

“Permission granted. Wow, is it wrong for me to say I’m a little upset about you leaving so suddenly?” Seto asked.

“Maybe, but not really. Me leaving is the complete end of us, and there’s no chance we can get back together. Although we’re 100% over, it’s making me a little sad as well.” I replied.

“Can you do me a favour, once you leave?” Seto asked me, sounding completely serious.

“Since you’ve agreed to let me use you as a reference, anything.” I smiled.

“O-once you get over there, can you email me a few times? I want to know how you’ll be.” Seto stuttered.

“Gee Seto, guilt does not suit you well. Sure, I can do that. But stop feeling so guilty. We had a teenage romance, it didn’t work out. Life goes on. I’m not feeling bad, why should you?” I giggled, and Seto sent me a small smile, as he got off my bed.

“Well, Miss Campbell. It’s been nice talking to you, but I expect you to still turn up to work until the day before you leave. It’s your responsibility as my employee to give a week’s notice.” Seto smirked, as he began to head for the door.

“Sure thing, Mr. Kaiba. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” I smirked back, as he shut the door.

When one door closes, another one opens.