Chapter 20
There’s this saying about breakups – women grieve immediately but heal in a month, while men might take ages to realize what they’ve lost. Then comes the desperate backpedaling.
Aiden’s backpedaling came late after six months of playing the field and a quiet winter break, he suddenly became a constant presence in my life.
I never figured out what excuse he gave Columbia for missing classes, but he kept showing up in California. Designer gifts appeared at my door – I returned them all. He’d wait outside my dorm for hours, refusing to leave. When he caught me, he’d trail me to class, to the dining hall, everywhere.
Jake was beside himself, torn between amusement and irritation. “You know, most girls don’t have their exes fly across the country to stalk them,” he’d joke, but I could hear the worry beneath.
Mrs. Carter called constantly, frantic that Aiden was risking academic probation, begging me to talk sense into him. The irony wasn’t lost on me – the perfect son throwing everything away for the girl he’d once taken for granted.
Finally, I confronted him by the bay.
Aiden immediately lost it. “Why can Jake pursue you but I can’t? He’s known you for what, five minutes? I’ve known you my whole life. Nobody knows you like I do, nobody’s better for you than me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Really, Aiden? Have you forgotten everything you did? Did you ever take my feelings seriously? You just loved having someone worship you, knowing I’d always be there no matter how badly you treated me.”
Hit with the truth, he cracked. “Yes, I messed up. I was young and stupid, thought the whole world was waiting for me. I didn’t want to be tied down. I owe you a real apology – I’m sorry, Brooklyn.”
–
His voice softened. “But even if you see me as a stranger now, don’t I deserve a chance to win you back? Since you’ve been gone, I can’t adjust to life without you. I can’t imagine not sharing everything with you anymore.”
The evening wind off the bay whipped around us as I considered my words carefully.
“You know what I learned after leaving? Real love shouldn’t feel like walking on eggshells. I can be myself now, my happiness doesn’t depend on someone else’s mood. Maybe what I felt for you wasn’t love – maybe it was just teenage naivety.”
He looked like I’d struck him. When he finally spoke, his voice was small. “But we had plans – college together, grad school, traveling the world. Are you breaking all those promises too?”
18.1%
Chapter 20
“You broke them first,” I said gently, “And I’ve found someone I actually want to do those things with
now.”
His composure finally broke, eyes reddening. “Stop, please just stop.”
Seeing his pain, I offered one last piece of advice: “Maybe you don’t really love me. Maybe you just can’t stand losing. Aiden, it’s time for you to move on too.”
I didn’t wait for his response. Jake was waiting across the street, and I ran to him.
He immediately laced his fingers through mine. “Finally got rid of your ex? Did you tell him I’m your official spider–killer now?”
I laughed through threatening tears.
Looking back one last time, I saw Aiden still frozen by the water.
Some people stay in your life forever. Others are just chapters in your story.
Ours had finally reached its end.
