"Your hair's gotten longer."
Charlotte tugs at the copper-coloured ends. Her smile is genuine, this time.
"When do you leave?" adds Max.
"In the morning. Full scholarship and everything."
The look he gives her is full of awe. She cups her hands around the glass and peers out to sea. Her mother is taking a call from work, but catches her eye with a knowing look.
"Can I give you a piece of advice?"
Immediately, she brightens. "Of course."
"If there's one thing I've learned…" Max looks askance, pulls at the hem of his shirt with unease. "In all my years, I've learned that you have to forgive yourself. You have to. You can't wait for anybody else to do that for you."
Suddenly all Charlotte wants to do is cry.
"Ahem… uh, I have something for you," says Max, "if you want it."
She quirks a brow. "What is it?"
"This one's special," he tells her. "It was meant to be for, uh… but I want you to have it. It's one of a kind."
He hands her the little leather box. The pendant is simple, a saltwater pearl hanging from a thin, silver chain. It is pretty and irregular, shining softly in the afternoon light. It's perfect.
"Max," she breathes. "I can't accept this!"
"Sure you can." He winks. "Consider it a graduation present."
"Thank you." Charlotte scrubs at her eyes with the back of her hand. "She's still here, you know," she says, so quietly she is sure Max won't hear her.
"I know," he murmurs. "She's here, all the time."