How He Broke My Heart

even asking me, knowing that I feel someway towards him. I tell him that I'm leaving then he says that I'm not quitting. I take my s

one who remembers it. He said many things. He said I was interesting and mysterio

r hurt that Brandon has already forgotten about me. I should be relieved-I told him to never talk to me again and he's listening. So I take my seat up front and let him handle the two young boys who come in, forcing him

to mys

what if he's only talking to this girl to make me jealous. Oh, the things I could tell him to make him jealous. The things I could wear. Oh, the things I used to

I told her that the mistake was organic. I apologized to my Aunt and struggled to tell the truth. It was new to me-not lying. It wasn't all terrible, though. I did attend the part

d who I named-anyone but myself really. Even Lauren, maybe. Maybe even Marissa. Maybe the ten year-old-girl walk

the mistakes I did. To start over. Everyone would

, "unbox these transfers and sort the

head to the back and stare into the already opened box, taking the sealed packets and prying them open with my nails. The first are the Hawaiian flower transfers. When I'm done it's closing time, and I leave before Brandon as he always closes up when Sally isn't here. I

m off and place them one by one on the windowsill beside my past finds. The sun is preparing to set and I change my clothes, wearing my pajamas early-spec

leaving tomorrow. I hope you're staying for dinn

utside," I s

n when dinner

the growing waterline, I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around myself, staring out. The tears come quickly. They feel as if

chable, is that so much to ask for? Why

ive me a choice. It was my choice to say it or not, no

ut hitting him with the broom, shouting to let me be. On his break I watch him play volleyball and sunbathe with friends. At one point he walks into the water and cups it to

the counter, "you and Brandon get along, the place looks great,

picking up keychains

urday for the rush. Brandon won't be in Monday ne

can manage. Monday'

of it, it feels somewhat genuine. Sally shakes her head and lets out a soft chuckle as Brandon nea

o go on break, but my bag is in the back room, so I wait outside the door. Through the

w and sh

ut how mine is still dead and how everyone back home probably thinks I am too by now. I wonder if they're over my deat

ward to it I think. I don't know what else I'll do, but I

, I sit behind the counter and rest my head on the cool surface, my eyes

mm

re me is the last person I want

mile. "Hey. Uh, Lauren told me you're working here, so I

hi. It's been," I stand up, "a whole year. Lau

nd she told me that you're b

other, the one who will take Kaden's heartbroken leftovers into his arms. Not me though. That

y slowly. "I don't re

now Kaden is still torn up over how things ended." Lie.

ands shake so I shove them in the pockets

"What are you doing here?" Of course he know

. "Everyone is really happy that she's back. You're lu

otect myself at all costs. "Look, Austin, please don't tell Kad

lly sometime soon. I hope to see you around. I heard you went to Micheals Friday, you

no

, I'll see

nce he's gone. "So it was Kaden Lane," he amuses him

he mood, not after that. "I wasn't popular, not fo

wrong. Brandon can figure out that Austin and Kaden do not

hello to each other before Milo whisked me away, getting me a drink and telling me to try it. I sipped with his eyes boring into mine. His hand held mine as I did it, his fingers rubbing

lo knew it. He didn't call me his girlfriend, but I didn't need to hear it when he was telling me many other, more oddly satisfying things. He would always lean down to my ear and te

t feel like an entire year. My family wasn't home. My Aunt had taken my parents to her friend's

a dance recital from seven years ago that was stuck to the fridge. The lights were off, all of them but a few lamps here and there, giving a warm glow to the rather cool room. I remember it all. His fingers dragged along the counter

ng, his voice hushed

s from pulling it up. His eyes flashed up from my hands to my face, and I said, "I

nce. He followed me. That's when I lost my virginity. Every detail is burnt into my mind and I will never forget it

r. I laid in my bed and cried, naked. I was fine until he l