𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

 8 years ago-

It was prom night. 

The dimmed overhead lights cast a warm, inviting atmosphere as the room buzzed with youthful enthusiasm. The excited voices and laughter of elegantly dressed teenagers reverberated through the hall. 

A simple stage at one end of the gym featured a live band playing a mix of popular tunes, setting the tone for the evening's festivities. The music, a blend of modern hits and timeless classics, enticed the attendees to take to the makeshift dance floor.

The gym's walls were decorated with understated drapes in deep, elegant colors, such as rich purples, deep blues, and silvery accents. Tables were tastefully set with centerpieces of fresh flowers and softly lit candles, offering an air of sophistication in the otherwise familiar setting. The air was scented with the subtle aroma of the blossoms, enhancing the ambiance of the event. Soft, pastel-colored linens and decorations complemented the overall decor, lending a touch of romance to the proceedings.

In the middle of the room stood Leah Cortright. She was a vision of beauty in her flowing green dress, a sight that left onlookers captivated by her presence. Her emerald gown, like the lush leaves of a forest, cascaded gracefully, accentuating her slender figure. The color complemented her olive skin, and the fabric seemed to dance with every step she took, as if it were imbued with the very essence of nature itself. Her dark, flowing hair framed her face, and her eyes sparkled like precious gems, mirroring the enchanting depths of the woodland. With a radiant smile that could rival the sun's warmth, she embodied the very spirit of elegance and grace, a living masterpiece in the heart of the natural world.

Leah turned to her boyfriend, Thomas Forster, who looked at her with a glum look on his face.  Leah looks at him in confusion. It was such a beautiful night, why was he morose? 

"Leah... Can we talk, somewhere... more private?" He asks, staring off into space with a guilty look on his face. "Of course."

He begins to walk away, expecting her to follow. Her elegant gown swaying with each step, to a quieter corner of the gymnasium. The buzz of the festivities served as a stark contrast to the gravity of the conversation they were about to have.

"So... What's on your mind?" she asks softly, holding his hands. Slowly and carefully, he pulls them away, making her smile disappear.

Their voices were hushed, almost drowned out by the distant strains of music. The boy's eyes, once filled with admiration, now held a mixture of regret and sadness.

"I... I've been thinking a lot, and I believe it's best for us to go our separate ways."

As her boyfriend's words cut through the air like an icy wind, the world around her seemed to freeze in an instant. She stood there, her heartache weighing heavy on her chest, her breath catching in her throat. Time itself appeared to halt, as if the universe had conspired to echo the sudden stillness within her. The laughter of the surrounding prom-goers and the rhythmic beat of the music faded into a distant murmur. It was as if the entire world had paused to acknowledge the shattering of her heart. The twinkling fairy lights overhead dimmed in sympathy, and the joyous chatter of the other couples faded to a whisper. In that suspended moment, she felt an overwhelming emptiness, and the world, once filled with vibrant colors and movement, now felt gray and motionless, mirroring the desolation within her soul.

"W-what? Why?"
"Look, this is hard for me but... There is someone else..."
"You're joking... right?"

Silence.

"How could you do this to me?"
Her voice, once clear and melodious, now bore the trace of sorrow and vulnerability. The tears had left their mark, like fragile ripples on the surface of a tranquil pond, causing a subtle quiver in her words. It carried the echoes of the emotions she had poured out, a delicate fragility that hinted at the depth of her feelings. Her sentences, now laced with a gentle tremor, spoke of resilience, for her voice may have wavered but it had not lost its strength. In the aftermath of tears, her voice bore the weight of her emotions, a testament to the raw beauty of her vulnerability.

"I'm sorry-"
"No, you're not."

There was silence one again. The tension grew thick as she stared at him while he tried not to make eye contact. Finally, he sighs, looking at her one last time.

"Goodbye, Leah."

As he turned to walk away, the boy's retreating figure seemed to carry with it a piece of her very being. The space between them grew, and with each step, it felt like an unbridgeable chasm had opened in her chest. She watched in silence, her heart aching, as he became a distant silhouette in the fading light. The footsteps that once harmonized with hers now echoed as a poignant reminder of their shared journey. The weight of the moment settled on her shoulders, and the world seemed to blur as tears welled in her eyes. With every inch he distanced himself, the heaviness of the goodbye settled deeper into her soul, leaving her with a profound sense of sadness that seemed to stretch on forever.

Author's Note:

Although I speak more than one, English is my first language, so I literally have no excuse. Grammar is my weakness so if there are any errors, please tell me.