Chapter 1
"Its not you. Its me. And because of my mental health, lets break up, Ann"
-Him <3.
My hand trembled as i grabbed my phone like it was my only tie to the world. I held my phone tighter as i hovered over the keyboard.
He broke up with me.
Whatdoisaywhatdoidoshouldiaskhimifhesokayshouldiaskhimwhyshouldiblockhimshouldi-
thwack.
The phone fell onto the carpet, right infront of me. I stared at it. I couldnt move. 7 months of relationship...just gone. Just like that. Just with the text.
I heard a door opening and as hands cradled me to turn, i realised it was my bestfriend. My roomate. Wren. My constant.
I dont know how long i stayed there, sobbing my heart out to her and all she did was console me, hold me and somehow in the middle, i had fallen asleep.
-Next Morning-
The sunshine stabbed at my eyes as i stirred and sat up on my bed. By habit, i turned to grab my phone and text him but his last text stayed unanswered. The memories hit me once again and i broke down in my bed once more. Finally, i gathered the courage to stand up and wash my face. I had college today. I could not look shit.
The routine i always followed felt more like a burden. I rinsed myself, did my hair, casual makeup and wore my uniform.
Fighting back tears, i entered the college, knowing I'd see him. Wren entered with me and encouraged me to 'forget that bastard and move on'
Easier said than done.
I sat in class and scrolled through my novel. Indeed, fictional men were better than real men.
A tap on my shoulder made me turn. My breakfast lurched in my stomach as i saw who it was.
Him. Keith. My boy- My ex-boyfriend.
I tried to compose my expression but the pain must have shown cuz his eyes turned pitiful.
"Ann....can we talk?" He said softly as if his words and texts hadnt turned my whole world upside down.
I dont know why i nodded and followed me out of class to the side of school. Maybe a part of me was hoping he'd say aprils fool even though it was october.
He exhaled deeply and turned to me. The sun casted a ray on him, making him look ethereal. Gosh he was beautiful. His brown eyes looked golden in the sunshine and his hair a perfect- for fucks sake.
I shoved the thoughts away and crossed my arms.
"Well?", i said, forcing my tone to be harsh.
He softly smiled. "I know that you probably dont want to even see or hear me but i just wanted to ask you- can we still be friends?"
My chest tightened as my eyes fought back tears. Desperately, i nodded. I could not say no. How could i say no to the love of my life?
My gaze locked onto his and it felt like yesterday hadnt happened. He looked like he loved me. He always looked like he did. Even before we dated, his casual flirts, his longing glances, his compliments that were so specific. the way his hand would intentionally graze mine.
Gosh, i could not be thinking of this.
I shook my head and before i could say anything, he said some excuse about some student council and left.
Once again, he left me.
Could we stay as friends? Could i control myself and all the feelings i had for him.
.
The sun was setting casting a deep orange blanket over the sky as i exited the college and started to walk home.
Life doesnt stop even when something happens. The same people, the same cars, the same noises. It all continued as i walked home.
My headphones blasted some Olivia Rodriguo song- even spotify knew i needed something to burst my heart out. My phone pinged with a text but i ignored it. If it wasnt his text, it wasnt worth checking and HE wouldnt text me, i knew it.
I entered my apartment. Looked like Wren was out for the night. Unlike me, Wren was a party animal. She went out, did one night stands, was famous in every bar near our place and the complete opposite of me. Maybe i should become like her.
I settled on the couch and finally turned on my phone.
It was a text. From Theo.
Theo, Keith's bestfriend.
"Can I finally have a chance Ann?" - Theo
The world stilled once again.
