The Key to Oz

Chapter 6- The breakup

That party had reminded Oz why she was no longer allowed behind the velvet rope, specifically the last time she crossed it—the night she ended things with Pyke. Also the night she had vowed to never let another man into her heart again.

Last year

It was a lavish party held at the Hastings residence. Pyke rarely hosted gatherings at his home; his father wouldn't tolerate such shenanigans. However, this time had an exception—his father was out of town on business for a few days.

Oz had been distant with Pyke for the past couple of weeks, and he couldn't figure out why. She wasn't her usual self—less bubbly, less sarcastic. Instead, she'd become more withdrawn, keeping her distance in a way that felt deliberate, but left him confused and unsure of what had changed or what he had done. She had always been independent, but this felt different, more final, and he sensed it. Still, when she showed up at the party, he was thrilled, thinking it was a sign of reconciliation.

The Hastings' mansion was glowing with twinkling lights, the sound of laughter and music spilling out into the manicured gardens. Inside, the marble floors glistened with crystal chandeliers, and the walls lined with priceless art. When she spotted Pyke across the room, his face lit up with a hopeful smile, she felt a twitch of guilt but steeled herself. This needed to be done.

"Hey, I wasn't sure if you would show," He said with surprise and relief in his voice as he leaned in to kiss her forehead when she approached.

She gave him a small, strained smile. "I'm not staying," she said softly,"I just need to talk to you for a moment."

His smile faltered, concern drawing lines on his forehead. "Sure, let's find somewhere quiet," he says guiding her through the crowd. They weaved past clusters of people laughing and dancing as he led her to a secluded corner of the balcony, where the city lights twinkled like distant stars. The sounds of the party faded into the background, replaced by a soft hum of traffic and rustling leaves. Pyke reached for her hand, his touch warm and familiar. She took a deep breath, pulling her hand away gently. His face fell, and he braced himself for what he sensed was coming.

"I want to break up," she said quickly.

His shoulders dropped as he searched her eyes, a light, hopeful smile playing on his lips as if he hadn't heard her correctly. "Why?"

"There are a lot of reasons, but none of them are that I don't love you," she replied.

"I need a better explanation than that," he sighed.

"I can't give you one,"

He just stared into her eyes desperately searching for a glimpse of the girl he knew, the one that would never break his heart like this, but she seemed so far away, unreachable, like the warmth and spark he'd always loved was buried deep behind those distant, empty eyes.

"Please don't look at me like that Pyke. You knew this would end eventually," she said, her voice breaking slightly as she tried to stay composed.

His frown deepened. "What?"

"We both knew this wouldn't last, we've just been pretending it could. Our lives are too different. WE are too different."

Pyke's frown deepened. "I don't care about any of that, Oz. What does it have to do with anything?"

It had nothing to do with why she was breaking up with him, but she had to lie—she could'not tell him the truth. This was the best excuse she could come up with, the only way to protect him and herself from the pain of revealing what really happened.

"I can't just keep pretending that I fit into your world. Tonight, at this party, it's just a reminder of how out of place I am, I don't belong,"

Pyke reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek. "You belong wherever you want to belong, Oz. You're what I want, none of this means anything to me, the party, the drugs, the drinking, it all ends tonight if you say so, you don't have to leave,"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled away from his touch. "Yes, I do."

"What do you want? Anything you want of me, whatever you ask. I'll do it."

She shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I already told you; I want to break up."

He stared at her for a long moment, his heart breaking. "I just don't understand," he whispered, his voice barely heard over the distant sounds of the party.

"I know," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry,"

With that, she turned and walked away. He stood rooted to the spot, watching her retreating figure until she was no longer visible. He turned back to the balcony railing, gripping it tightly. The distant city lights blurred through the tears he wouldn't let fall. He was confused and angry, but most of all heartbroken, something he had never truly experienced until now.