In the end, it's only us - Kate Martin

25. Ruined

October 21st, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa

Flashback: Sometime in 2017 & 2018; San Diego, California

Chapter 25

Narrative + Flashback

Quite a time skip😭

Olivia's POV:

I ruined everything with Kate. And for what? Because I give a shit what others think of me too much? Because I don't know who I am? Because the one person I loved a lot put me through the worst imaginable pain ever.

Kate was sweet, she truly was. She treated me amazing, but I suppose, to me that wasn't enough. I knew myself not to rush things with her but I still did. I knew in some way, I was messed up in the head. That relationship with my ex messed me up.

It messed me up in a way that whenever I look at myself, I stare in disgust. I ask myself as to why I let it come this far, why I let Kate into my life knowing one way or another, something was going wrong. Hell, not even half a year into our relationship I lay myself down for her.

I was slowly losing myself, I never came from a broken home. Far from that. My parents were loving, I had amazing sisters. I still do, at least one of them. But for some reason, I always felt like something inside me was empty.

6 times. That's how many times it took me to finally let go of him. Part of me wanted it to work out, but another part of me knew that if I stayed, I wouldn't have made it out alive. Whether I'd die by his hand or my own. And yet here I am, still suffering from the pain all those years ago. That pain is being inflicted on somebody else who doesn't deserve it.

I still remember when I first met Michael. It all seemed like a nightmare now, one I couldn't escape from. One that I was hoping to get away from but I just couldn't run. Like my wings were clipped or my feet were chained.

November 2nd, 2017
A loud bang was heard across the hallway as some idiot banged on the bleachers, goofing off with his friends. What a bunch of losers. Even though many seemed to think otherwise. Oh but how handsome one of them was.

His name was Michael, I've had a crush on him since the 7th grade, especially since he handed me a pencil. He had a beautiful smile, wonderful hair as well, blonde hair that shined in the light and not to mention, he was apart of the football team.

It sounds like such a cliche movie or whatever when I put it this way, but he was truly such a gentleman. We'd message each other, sometimes even call each other and stay up for hours. But when it came to socializing at school, it was nonexistent.

Just one glance from him or a smile and I was over the moon. We lived not too far from each other, he was always there for me to lift up my mood. Even when I wasn't upset, he was there.

February 14th, 2018
It was my first Valentines with a boyfriend, who was Michael. Oh how I adored him, he was so sweet to me. Brought me a bouquet of flowers and some of my favorite snacks.

Not only that, but we were later going out to a restaurant! I was quite excited for this moment, I've been waiting for years for this. He was slowly capturing my heart and keeping it with him. I couldn't wait to see how the future will look for us.

July 5th, 2018
I felt a sharp sting on my cheek as my ears couldn't decipher what Michael was saying as he shouted directly at my face. His hot breath hitting me, the smell of alcohol on his breath as his face turned slightly red with rage.

My body was in shock, he's never hit me before. Never acted this way with me. And I truly hoped it was the last time ever. He wasn't like this, I just knew he wasn't. Or maybe that's what I thought.