𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 |𝟏𝟖+|

46

Etta Valentine's POV

"W-what?" Surely I heard him wrong, because he would never say-

"I'm breaking it off Etta. I'm sorry."

My ears rang out and all I could do was stare at him like I'd never seen him before.

His lip trembled with the force of what he was trying to hold together, and even though he'd just said what he said, the sight of him in such undeniable pain broke my heart more than any words ever could.

"Migs, what's going on? Are you okay? We can talk through this, just tell me what I can do to help you."

He vigorously shook his head, spiralling into whatever pit made him do this tonight. "No. I'm sorry Etts. But we can't be together."

I frowned. This was such an abrupt shock that I couldn't process it. "If this is a joke, it's really not funny Miggy."

He forced himself to look at me as my dinner threatened to show itself. I felt sick to my stomach.

"It's not a joke Etta. We can't be together." The first of the tears broke though my eyes and I grabbed his hand only for him to pull away. "This...us. It was all a mistake."

Silence.

I froze on that couch, physically feeling as if my heart had just shattered into a million little pieces.

"A mistake?" I whispered, feeling pain like I'd never felt before. Is this why he was so distant today?

Miguel winced and looked away to gather himself but inevitably failed. Tears were streaming down his face, his body rigid with the weight of his sudden admission and his leg was bouncing with pent up anxiety.

"Yeah. I should've just ignored you that day in the cafe."

A whimper escaped me. I couldn't hear anymore. Where the hell was this coming from?

"It's been fun, but I...I'm bored now."

Why was he saying this? Please, someone make it stop.

After all he's done for me, all he's done to earn my affection for what? To throw it all away and give me no good reason?

Why try to be so horrible when I could see in his face he didn't mean what he was saying?

You can't fake the type of love he has for me. Can't fake the way his body speaks to mine as mine does for him.

One soul in two bodies is what I thought we were.

But how could he sit here and be so cruel?

"I'd like you to leave please."

The quietness of my tone must've hit a nerve because he sat there as still as a statue, staring at me like he might reach for me.

But in the end, Miguel stood and hovered by the couch. "I hope you-"

"Get out." It felt like my soul had cleaved in two. Felt like I was going insane because surely my Miguel wasn't breaking up with me.