The salty breeze from the bay carried a coolness that didn’t match the burning tension between Steven and Nicole. The sunset was beautiful—its soft, golden light painting the world around them in shades of pink and orange. But to Steven, it felt cruel, mocking even.
How could something so perfect be happening while his whole world was about to crumble?Nicole stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the horizon, avoiding his gaze. It was always like this lately Silence. Distance. Everything about her felt like she was miles away, even though she was standing right next to him.
Steven couldn’t take it anymore.
Steven:
"Nicole, please... say something."
His voice cracked with the plea, the weight of desperation hanging in the air. Nicole shifted uncomfortably, but still, she didn’t look at him. Instead, her eyes were glued to the fading sunlight, as if it held all the answers she couldn’t give him.
Nicole:
"I don’t know what to say anymore, Steven."
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the wind. Steven took a step closer, his heart pounding in his chest, a lump forming in his throat.
Steven:
"How can you say that? How can you act like everything we’ve been through means nothing now?"
Nicole finally turned to face him, her eyes filled with tears she was trying so hard to hold back. It hurt to see her like that—like they were both trapped in something they couldn’t fix.
Nicole:
"It’s not that it means nothing, Steven. It’s just… it doesn’t feel the same anymore. I don’t feel the same anymore."
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Steven staggered back, blinking, trying to process what she was saying.
Steven:
"What are you saying? You don’t feel the same? So that’s it? You’re just… done?"
Nicole wiped at her eyes, shaking her head slowly.
Nicole:
"I didn’t want it to come to this, okay? I’ve been trying, Steven. But you can’t force something that’s not there anymore. We’re not the same people we used to be."
Steven clenched his fists at his sides, frustration bubbling up inside him. How could she say that? How could she give up on everything they’d built?
Steven:
"So that’s it? After everything, you’re just giving up? You’re just going to walk away because it’s not ‘the same’ anymore?"
Nicole looked down, biting her lip.
She hated this. She hated how much she was hurting him, but she hated even more that they were stuck in this never-ending cycle of trying to fix something that had been broken for a long time.
Nicole:
"I’m not walking away because I want to, Steven. I’m walking away because I have to. I’ve been fighting this for so long, but it’s not fair to either of us to keep pretending."
Steven took a step toward her, his eyes desperate, his hands trembling.
Steven:
"We can fix this, Nicole. We’ve always found a way. Just—just give me more time. We can figure this out. Please don’t leave me."
His voice broke at the end, and he hated how weak he sounded, how vulnerable he was in front of her. But he didn’t care. He just couldn’t lose her
.Nicole shook her head, her tears now flowing freely.
Nicole:
"I wish it were that simple, Steven. I wish I could make myself feel the way I used to. But I can’t. And I don’t want to keep lying to you, pretending everything’s okay when it’s not."
Steven’s heart sank, the finality of her words sinking in. He had been fighting alone all this time, and now, he realized there was nothing left to fight for. She had already made her choice.
Steven:
"So, what? You’re just… done with us?"
Nicole bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nicole:
"Yeah. I think I am."
Steven staggered back, his world spinning around him. He had never felt pain like this before—like someone had reached into his chest and ripped his heart out.
Steven:
"Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why did you let me keep fighting when you already gave up?"
Nicole’s eyes softened, filled with regret.
Nicole:
"Because I wanted to believe it would get better. I wanted to believe I’d feel the same again. But Steven, it hasn’t. It’s not fair to either of us to keep holding on to something that’s already gone."
Steven swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check, but it was no use. Tears filled his eyes, and he couldn’t stop them from falling.
Steven:
"So, that’s it? We’re over?"
Nicole wiped at her eyes, nodding slowly.
Nicole:
"We’ve been over for a while, Steven. We just didn’t want to admit it."
The truth of her words hit him like a wave, and suddenly, Steven felt like he couldn’t breathe. He had been holding on so tightly, but now, it was all slipping away, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Steven:
"I just… I don’t understand. I thought love was enough. I thought we could get through anything."
Nicole stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm, but the touch felt cold, distant.
Nicole:
"Sometimes, love changes. And sometimes, it’s not enough."
Steven let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. He had been fighting for so long, but now, standing here with her, he realized it was time to let go.
Steven:
"Yeah… I guess you’re right."
They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of their breakup hanging heavily in the air.
Steven could feel his heart breaking, piece by piece, but he knew there was no going back now.
Nicole looked at him one last time, her eyes full of sadness.
Nicole:
"I’m sorry, Steven. I really am."
Steven nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He watched as Nicole turned and walked away, her figure growing smaller and smaller until she disappeared into the distance.
And just like that, it was over.
He stood there for what felt like hours, staring at the spot where she had vanished.
The sun had set completely now, and the stars were beginning to twinkle above him, but they offered no comfort.Steven took a deep breath, wiping at his tear-streaked face, his heart aching in a way he had never known before. He had loved her—truly, deeply—but sometimes, love wasn’t enough.
In the end, Steven realized that love doesn’t always conquer all. No matter how hard one person fights, it takes two to keep the fire burning. He had been holding on to something that no longer existed, and in the end, he had to let go, not because he wanted to, but because it was the only way to stop hurting.
"Sometimes, you have to let go, not because you don’t love them anymore, but because holding on is hurting you more than letting go ever will."
THE END.
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Iya Writes (One Shot Stories)
RomanceI'm Ivy, and I'm a lazy story writer. But that doesn't mean I can't spin a good yarn! In "Iya Writes (One Shot Stories)," I'll share my imaginative adventures, crafting complete stories in a single sitting. From heartwarming romances to thrilling...
