~ Shipper's Pain ~ Book 2 ~

Chapter 22 ~ Heartbreak

Tul POV:

The last time I talked to Mew was May 25, 2023, and the last time I knew Max talked to Mew was June 1, 2023. As of Max's birthday, June 9, 2023, our love affair ended with a simple letter and material things being returned.

Max tries to hide how he feels. I have always figured it out, though. I might be away, but he doesn't fool me. He might not have told me, but he greatly blames himself.

It was my burden because I didn't believe in a long-distance relationship and didn't want to hurt Mew. In the end, though, that's exactly what happened.

I can't explain the pain I feel inside knowing things could be different, things could be better.

Hearing the letter Mew wrote to Max and me, I had a complete breakdown over the phone. I could tell he gave up and let the ships win. I heard the rumors online that fans were unhappy about the Mewtul ship, but I went into denial that it could affect us personally.

No one can be mad at Mew for letting go, for walking away from the continued aloneness and pain. It is not his fault. He tried to talk to us; he tried talking sense, but you can't talk to a broken wall and expect better results when the wall doesn't change.

It is June 23, 2023, now, and it's the day of my graduation. Max is here but off-camera, so I will see him in a bit. My mom is also off-camera since fans will take pictures and videos.

I know Max and I agreed we would work things out, but I can't help but wonder if things would be different if we could work things out with Mew, too.

I miss Mew tons; I love Max, but there was always something different, magnetic like with Mew that I know I will never find again.

I know it was selfish, but when you have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities you won't ever get again, you can't pass them up or hold anyone back. That is what I feel happened with Mew. I didn't believe in long-distance relationships and didn't want to hold him back.

I can't imagine facing Mew now after everything, and I can't imagine the hurt he must feel. Though it hurt for us, to me, it must have been more painful for him.
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Mew, Max, and Tul are in a lot of heartbreak and mental pain. They each blame themselves for all that happened.

Behind the scenes, though, Max is working with Mew's mom, sister, and Tul's Mom to get the three together, including a surprise dinner with everyone.

Your mind can play tricks on you when you are alone. You can also trick yourself into thinking it's best when the ones you love cannot be in front of you. Choices that seem so right at the time come to be the worst once those loved ones come back to face you, wanting answers about why you didn't include them just because they weren't in front of you.

Sometimes, making difficult choices is easier when you don't have to face those loved ones in person. Not seeing their piercing eyes looking at your soul, correcting your ways as you go along life together can make you feel alone and resentful.
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Later that night, after Graduation.

Max POV:

They have no idea what we have set up, none. It is so scary because we have not been in the same room since February or March, and it's already the end of June.

We have it all planned. Tul has his favorite restaurant we will go to, and I already have the address sent to Mew's mom and sister. They will arrive 20 minutes later on purpose so Tul can not run.