Amber's locker was towards the back, where the mildew smelled the strongest. She'd placed a lilac freshener in her locker, but all it did was add another scent to her clothes. Amber stuffed her winter jacket away, pulled out her lab coat. She was giving her hair a quick brush when she heard Eric's footsteps; the only sound in the room, it echoed heavily. Taking a deep breath, Amber watched herself in the mirror. She looked cool, calm. Good. "I'm here," she said, shutting her locker door.

Again she crossed her arms, tried to not let her expression change when Eric finally found her. God. Still a bit closed off, he seemed more troubled now. Was he worried about meeting her secretly, or had he guessed what she'd done? Or maybe he was just tired of putting up with her.

Seeing him in person, Amber suddenly thought of all the things they'd never get to do-- she wouldn't take him home tonight, she wouldn't watch him play for the skins, she'd never wash him as she had this morning, carefully, bursting with affection. And so much more, moments she'd never have imagined. She'd lost them all. But she couldn't take back what she'd done. Even if she could, why bother? This would've happened eventually.

She'd do this quick, like an incision. "Thirteen knows about us." No, that wasn't enough. Amber had to let him know she'd done it on purpose. "I told her."