The University of the South

Distance (3 of 7)

"Daisy, wait, hold on." Alessio says as I turn away from him.

I had to break it off now before it was too late.

Oh how I loved him, but I couldn't hold him back.

I ignore him, walking towards the practice gyms before I feel him tug on my arm, turning me to him.

"Bunny, tell me what this is about. Let's talk about this please." Alessio says as I shake my head, wiping at my tears.

His hands reach down to cup my cheeks, wiping my tears away for me as I shake my head, pulling away from his hold.

It was hard to let go when I was used to being next to him for years.

"There's nothing to talk about, Alessio. Just leave me alone." I tell him, trying not to look at his face.

It was too painful for me to do that. I knew that one look at his face and I'd fold.

Suddenly Alessio falls to his knees in front of me.

Fuck.

"I'm not leaving you, bunny. Hey, whatever it is we'll get through it. Don't leave me. I fucking love you." He says as I frown at those words, as my heart aches.

Be strong, Daisy. You needed to let him go.

I shake my head as I pull my arm away from him.

"Say it back, bunny. You always do." He says as my eyes shut.

I shake my head and frown at him.

You could do this.

"Get up, Alessio." I say as he does, looking down at me.

Do it for him, for his future.

"Look, Alessio. I don't love you anymore. This relationship won't work without love. I just... I just don't love you like I did in the past." I say, staring at the floor the whole time.

Alessio goes completely silent as he shakes his head.

Fuck, now I had done it.

"Say that again." He simply says as I sigh.

Did he really have to make me repeat those words?

"I... I don't love you anymore." I say as I muster up the courage to look into his eyes.

I instantly regret doing so as his eyes hold this broken look on his face.

I was a horrible person.

Fuck! I was starting to cry again.

I shake my head as I leave him there, not being able to be with him at the moment.

It had to be this way.

And fuck of course I didn't mean what I had said, I still loved him with all my heart.

I loved him so fucking much.

Fate just wasn't on our side.

I head over to practice and instantly spot Gracie as she eyes my tear stricken face.

She sighs, knowing what had just happened since I had explained it to her beforehand.

"Oh honey, come here." She says as I run into her arms, as she hugs me close to her.

Gracie soothes me as I cry into her shoulder.

"Everything's going to be okay. Come on, let's ditch practice." She whispers as she hugs me to her.

. . .

A few days earlier...

"Daisy girl, are you alright? You seemed a little out of it at practice." Gracie asks as I nod, catching my breath.