The Slow Parting

 

Through a very fortuitous friend of a friend connection, Lexa found Clarke the perfect apartment. It was on the opposite side of town in an up and coming neighborhood, and most importantly, it was only a few minutes walk to the gallery.

 

The summer passed quickly, and before she knew it, Lexa was a few weeks into her master's program. Coursework was more substantial than ever, and with Clarke’s soccer and school schedule, finding the time for each other grew more and more difficult.

 

Lexa didn’t know when it happened or exactly how, but days would pass without them seeing each other. Days stretched into weeks, and when the text messages and phone calls dwindled too, they knew it was time.

 

They cried, apologized, and kissed, but they were young and had dreams to achieve. Lexa watched Clarke graduate, and four years later, Lexa was shaking the dean’s hand and receiving her second diploma.