A boy from my past

The end of our story.

Taylor looked out the car window. Joe was driving the car, and it was raining outside. She should have told him, but she didn't know how.
-I'm so glad we went to this movie together. Tell me, is it good?- Joe said to her.
- Mm-hmm.
Taylor weighed everything in her head one last time. It was great. Neat, gentle, reliable, loved her, her parents liked him. But. He had such a quiet and measured life. She couldn't. Because her life was getting more public every month, show business and music were taking over, and Joe. He went to school with the regular kids while Taylor hung out with stars like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Katy Perry behind the scenes. She recalled how they were at a dinner party. It was all so new and unfamiliar to him. He didn't like many people there, he said they were phony hypocrites. And then the paparazzi filmed him on his way out with the rest of the guests and Taylor could see that he was uncomfortable. She liked it, though; she didn't feel much discomfort in front of these photographers. And when those pictures were printed in the newspapers, he got mad and said that they violated his personal boundaries and that what was going on between him and Taylor was theirs alone. It was, but what can you do? If you're a star, you don't get out, you're always in the public eye. Also, Taylor met the Jonas Brothers. And Joe, the other Joe, from the band. She liked him, and probably not as a friend but as a boyfriend. Joe (the one she was with now) was beautiful, but in some ways so right. That Taylor was surprised to hear her friends' stories about how the guys didn't call or show up for a date, because Joe called at exactly the right time and was never late. She must have wanted that sometimes, everything was so perfect that she felt like her feelings were fading. She looked at Joe who smiled at her. How hard it was. He would kiss her goodbye, but that wouldn't fix anything. The magic that was from their love, Taylor could barely feel it now. They had a beautiful but emotionless story. Later on, thinking back on those thoughts, Taylor would blame herself for not realizing how lucky she was to have a guy like that back then. Alone at the time, she was going to break up with him. It probably wasn't the best decision, leaving him in the evening after a busy day, but if she waited any longer it would be unbearable. Joe (from the band) had already started courting her, and she wanted to respond because she liked him, but cheating on a guy was the last thing she would do. So I guess that's what she has to do tonight. She sighed and clenched her hands into fists, trying to keep her hands from shaking.
- Joe, stop the car, please. Right now. I need to talk to you.
He parked near one of the houses and looked at her anxiously:
- Is something wrong Taylor?
- Yeah. That's not the best way to tell you. And it's very cruel, but I can't pretend like everything's okay anymore. We have to break up, Joe. I realized my feelings for you are gone, and it's not nice to lie to the people you love.
His face seemed stiff.
- Wait, are you serious right now? It's not a prank, because it's really not funny.
- No, Joe. I want to end our relationship because I don't love you as a boyfriend anymore. You're a close friend to me, but you're not the man I love. I know I hurt you, but I made it worse by lying to you.
- Taylor, I don't understand. I love you, and you told me you loved me. We just celebrated our anniversary! Taylor, if I did something wrong, please tell me where. Give me a second chance, and I'll make it right.
Taylor shook her head. She felt so sorry for him, he looked absolutely heartbroken and broken.
- Joe I can't. You're a great guy, and you're not a wingnut about anything, our relationship is the best I've ever had. It's not your fault, I just can't go out with a man I've run out of feelings for. I just can't. Let me go, Joe.
- Is that your final decision?
- I'm sorry, but yes.
He bit his lip until it bled. His face became cruel and his voice cold
- All right, Taylor. I understand. I have no right to hold you. This has been the best year of my life, and I'm glad I spent it with you. Good luck in the future.
She looked at him not knowing how it happened. And at the same time she didn't feel the relief she had hoped for. Taylor opened the door and got out of the car. It was raining like a bucket. Oh, yeah, she hadn't brought her umbrella. She hadn't even thought of that. After all, Joe had taken an umbrella and carried it so it wouldn't drip on Taylor. Joe held out his umbrella to her and said in a cold voice:
- Considering the weather, accept this as my parting gift. Goodbye, Taylor.
He closed the door and drove away. She didn't know where he was going, just stood in the pouring rain, clutching the umbrella in her hands that time with Joe's cologne and feeling the tears roll down her face with the drops