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Imani stepped out of Jude's apartment and into the cool morning air, trying to clear her mind. The streets were busy with people going about their day, but all she could think about was Trent and the argument they'd had the night before. She wrapped her arms around herself as she walked, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her.
Eventually, she found a small park and sat down on an empty bench, staring at her phone. She knew Trent would want to talk, but she wasn't sure she was ready for that. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she saw another message from
IMESSAGES Trent 💕
Trent 💕 We need to talk. Can we meet up? read 8.30am Trent💕 Imani don't ignore me. We need to talk.
I'm at the park near Jude's place. I'll wait here.
It wasn't long before she saw Trent walking toward her. His face was tense, his eyes dark with something she couldn't quite read. She stood up as he approached, bracing herself for whatever was about to happen.
"Imani," he said, stopping in front of her. There was a sharpness to his voice, a tension that made her heart race.
"Trent," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
There was a long pause as they looked at each other, the silence between them growing heavier by the second. Finally, Trent spoke, his voice cold. "Why were you at Jude's place last night?"
Imani felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "I was upset after our fight, and I just...I didn't know where else to go."
"So you went to him?" Trent's tone was accusing, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "Of all people, you went to Jude?"
"It wasn't like that, Trent," she insisted, her voice trembling. "I didn't know what to do. I just needed someone to talk to."
"Talk? Or something else?" Trent's words were sharp, cutting through her defenses. "Did you sleep with him?"
Imani's eyes widened, shocked by the accusation. "What? No, of course not! How could you even think that?"
Trent let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "How could I think that? I don't know, Imani. You're upset, you run to another guy, and now you're telling me you spent the night at his place. What am I supposed to think?"
"You're supposed to trust me!" Imani shot back, anger flaring up inside her. "I made a mistake going there, but nothing happened. I would never do that to you."
Trent's jaw clenched, his eyes hard as he stared at her. "I don't know if I can trust you anymore, Imani. This whole thing with Jude, with Jobe—none of it makes any sense. You keep saying you didn't mean to hurt anyone, but look at where we are."
Imani felt tears sting her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I know I messed up, but I didn't cheat on you, Trent. I love you."
"If you loved me, you wouldn't have gone to him," Trent shot back, his voice cold and unforgiving.
Imani's heart broke at his words. She had never imagined it would come to this, that Trent would look at her with such doubt and anger. "Trent, please," she whispered, reaching out to him.
But Trent stepped back, avoiding her touch. "I think we need some time apart," he said, his voice flat. "I can't do this anymore."
Imani felt like the ground was falling out from under her. "You're breaking up with me?"
Trent looked away, his expression unreadable. "I don't know what else to do. This...this isn't working."
She stood there, frozen, as Trent turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the park. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over, and she sank back down onto the bench, her body shaking with sobs.
Everything had fallen apart, and she didn't know how to put it back together. All she could do was sit there, feeling the emptiness that Trent's departure had left behind.
A/N: There are all my drafts posted. I will try and be consistent with the next chapters but I'm starting college on Thursday so may be hard.
