REFLECTING BACK | A.K ✔

I SPLIT

TW// CHEATING

It's surprisingly cold in California that afternoon when Awsten's plane lands. Awsten finds himself shivering and opting for a hoodie instead of just a t-shirt.

The Uber driver is nice and makes small talk with Awsten. General questions like "where are you coming from?" and "who are you seeing?". Awsten answers with excitement.

Truth be told, Awsten's nervous. He pats the velvet box in his pocket to make sure it's still there.

He's going to propose today.

Honestly, he really wanted to propose in some sort of fancy way at first. Then, he bought the ring and knew he immediately wanted to get engaged. There is no way Awsten can wait any longer to hear her say yes. Hopefully.

Awsten thanks the Uber driver and tips him. Once he grabs his luggage, he's on his way to his apartment. As his vans hit the tile floor, Awsten's nerves set in. He's really doing this. Showing up unannounced and proposing on the spot. He never thought this would happen. Granted, he never thought anything with Sunny would happen.

The night they first met put Awsten way out of his comfort zone. Sunny seems to do that. She draws out a side of him Awsten didn't even know existed. She's adventurous, mischievous, and a little bit evil (in the best way possible).

Awsten finally arrives at his floor. He smiles to himself. This is really happening.

Each step feels like an eternity. The moment he's at his door, he's reaching for his keys. That's when he notices that the door is already unlocked. He grins. Sunny must've known he was coming. She reads him far too well. He can never hide anything from her.

He turns the knob, peeking his head inside. The apartment is dark. He drops his bags at the door. Sunny is no where nearby from what Awsten can see.

Maybe she's asleep. Or maybe hiding and waiting to surprise him.

He hears a noise coming from his bedroom. He walks closer to the door, the noise getting louder and louder.

Things are never as they seem. Awsten didn't think their perfect life would come crashing down like this.

In his room, his own bed, Sunny is with another man. A man Awsten has never seen in his entire life. Awsten's mouth hangs agape at the sight. She's cheating.

The two realize he's there and immediately separate.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" the man asks. "Get out before I call the police!"

Sunny looks mortified.

"What the fuck do you mean? This is my damn apartment and that right there is my fucking girlfriend!" Awsten yells, rage filling his entire body.

"Wh- Sunny? You never told me you had a boyfriend."

"Uh-"

The man quickly collects his clothes and belonging, shouting a string of cuss words at Sunny as he does so.

"Just so you know, she played us both. I had no fucking clue. I'm so sorry. This has been going on for months now but she never said anything about a boyfriend," the man says.

"I... it's okay. Not your fault. You didn't know," Awsten mumbles.

The man nods before hurrying out the door, not before he yells at Sunny more and flips her off.

"Awsten, please," Sunny pleas, looking up at him. "It was stupid. He means nothing-"

"How dare you? How many nights did I stay awake with you, terrified and paranoid? How many times did you fucking promise that it would be okay? You promised," he seethes, tears streaming down his face.

"It was a mistake. I was drunk."

"You did it more than once, Sunny."

"Please, I love you," she says, throwing her arms around him.

"Fuck you, Sunny Olsen. You have ruined me too many times. I can't do this anymore. We're done." He pushes her off of him, curling his hands into fists. "Get out of my fucking apartment. Now."

They fight far longer than Awsten wants to. He's exhausted and he wants to cry and be alone in his cold and empty apartment. So, as soon as she is finally out the door, he does just that.