Forlot: The Car on the Side of the Road - Book Forty-Two

Chapter Six

I am breaking up with you. Jeez. Those six words that I was dreading to hear. No couple wants to hear them. It is sad - and a relief - to end things with your significant other, and I was no exception. How I wanted to rush to the restroom and sob. I never wanted to see Rick for as long as I live. I wanted to be in the safety of my room. I wanted to be surrounded by the things that I love.

I tried holding back tears. No way was I crying in front of Rick - otherwise known as a jerk. He treated me like dirt. I was a mat that he wiped his feet on. Rick did not care for me. He might have at the beginning. Or maybe he was using me. It explains why he let his friends pick on me and make inappropriate comments. A boyfriend should defend his girlfriend's honor and vice versa.

Now that I think about it, Rick and I breaking up is not the end of the world. In fact, it is the opposite. This is a new beginning. A fresh start for both me and Rick. But Rick will not get anywhere if he continues cheating.

"I...I cannot believe this," I said. I would have punched his face if I were tough. I wanted to give Rick a piece of my mind. "Actually, I can believe it. You do not cherish me anymore. You do not love me."

I was right all along. He was nothing but a moron. And I thought that I was the moron. But I was a nice moron compared to him. How could any girl date a narcissist? Why was I dating a narcissist? I should have broken up with him the moment that his friends flirted with me.

Rick opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my finger at him and continued. "I am relieved that you broke up with me. I am thrilled! I deserve a gentleman. I want a guy who loves me for me and treats me with respect."

His expression changed. It went from serious to sad. "I am not understanding where this is coming from, Ella. If I did not love you, I would break up with you."

A growl escaped my mouth. I threw up my hands. "You just broke up with me!"

He grabbed my hand. "It was a joke, Ella. I was joking. I am not really breaking up with you."

Now I was angrier. "You were playing a prank on me?! That is worse!"

"Calm down, Ella. Calm down. It was only a joke, not a crisis. You should not get worked up over a joke. It will be okay." He stroked my hand. "Take deep breaths, my love."

"I am not your love!" I jerked away my hand. "My man would never mess with my emotions."

Rick rested his hands on his waist. "I do not know why you are making a huge deal out of it. It is not like that I threatened you with a knife."

"You might as well have. You are so full of yourself that your head has hot air."

"Why are we even arguing? You should be grateful that you are my girlfriend. I shower you with presents. Ella, has it crossed your mind how expensive the gifts were? I would not be showering you with flowers and gifts if I did not love you."

"If you knew me - and loved me - you would know that I do not like flowers."

We heard oohs and aahs from those ladies. I wanted to hit them so hard that their faces fell off. Nobody would date them then. I tried to ignore them. I pretended like that they did not exist and kept my eyes on Rick. Now I wished that he was not kidding. I wished that he would break up with me. I did not know if it was best for him, but it was best for me. But I had to know something.

I narrowed my eyebrows and pointed at him. "Before I walk out of your life, I must ask you something."

Rick's eyes widened as he held up his hands and shook them left and right. "Whoa, Ella. Whoa. Do not go. We need to keep talking. Please. I do not want you to stroll out of my life. I do not want you to hold a grudge."

"I am not holding a grudge."

"Then you are jealous."

"Who the crub would I be jealous of?"

"Me and my friends." He squinted. "I see how you look at us. You look at us and wish that you were as popular as us. Yes, you wish that you had our popularity."

My bottom jaw would have touched said floor if it were possible. I was speechless. I did not know how to reply to such stupidity. It was at that moment that I realized that he had changed. Changed for the worst. No longer was he the boy that I chatted with five months ago. He was unrecognizable. I did not sign up for this. This was the perfect time to break up with him.

But before I could tell him, Rick said, "I am sorry, Ella. I apologize for snapping at you. I did not mean to." He took my hand once again and kissed it. "Honest. I wish that I could take it all back. Please accept my apology."

I pulled back my hand and massaged my wrist. "Rick, I accept your apology, but..."

"But what, Ella? Is it the flowers? I will stop giving you flowers. I promise."

"You will indeed stop giving me flowers...because I will not be your girlfriend anymore."

His eyes bulged from their sockets. His face was white. "I cannot believe what I am hearing."

"You had better believe it. We are finished. We need to end this relationship."

"You cannot break up with me."