Annette knew that the day would come that Nick would have to leave, but she didn’t want it to be so soon. She was going to miss him terribly. He had taught her to loosen up. Not to be so hard on herself. She was going to miss waking up in his arms. But, most of all, she was going to miss his looks that he gave her. She didn’t want him to leave. On their last day together, Nick asked her to meet him at the beach. When she got there, she saw him facing the water holding a single red rose. He turned to face her.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.” He said gently.
“I know.”
“This is for you.” He handed her the rose.
“Thanks. Nick listen…”
“No, wait. I’ve got something to say.”
“No, what I have to say is more important.”
“But…”
She put a finger to his lips. She wasn’t about to be interrupted.
“Nick, the moment you came into my life, I’ve never been happier and I don’t want to lose that. It’s just that a long-distance relationship is too hard and I don’t want us to end up hating each other because of the fact that you travel a lot. I think it would be better if we just stayed friends. What do you think?” She looked at him searchingly.
At these words, Nick’s face clouded.
“I—I can’t.” He managed to choke out.
“What?”
“I can’t. I’ve also never been happier since you came into my life. If we just stayed friends, my heart would break every time I talk to you. Can’t you see? I love you. Don’t you feel the same way?” He looked at her hopeful.
Annette couldn’t answer. She was too shocked. When he said those words, she knew that she loved him too. From the very bottom of her soul. That was how he looked at her. With love. But she also knew that if she told him then it would be worse in the long run. She knew what she had to do.
“No, I don’t.” She whispered.
“What?” Nick’s heart broke.
“I don’t love you. We had a lot of fun and I really like you but I don’t love you. This was just a fling. That’s all.” She tried to prevent the tears from coming.
“Well, thank you for telling me and for not leading me on.” He tried to put on a brave face.
He looked like his heart was ripped out of his chest and thrown in the garbage. He slowly turned around and ran the other way. Annette’s eyes stung with tears and when Nick was out of view she fell to her knees on the sand and began to cry.
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter
Home
