Death of a Fantasy

Chapter 11

(Annette's POV)

    I faked a smile everywhere I went, trying to lead everyone into the lie that I was fine. David seemed to believe it most of all, not seeing the truth hiding under the surface. Slowly, the smile started to become real, showing up in rare moments of utter happiness. My feelings for David never swayed, causing me a tremendous amount of pain. He ignored them, always shushing me when I brought up anything close to the truth. His main solution to get me to be silent was turning me on, which always worked. I had started getting used to our situation until one warm April day something new was revealed.

    I sat in my fourth class of the day, talking to a friend when my phone buzzed.

    (David) Hey I have something to tell you.

    (Me) What is it?

    (David) I have a girlfriend.

    My heart shattered with each word I read, making me struggle to keep my cheery composure. I fought the tears back and faked a smile at my friend, quickly typing out a happy response.

    (Me) Oh that's great! What's her name?

    (David) Marie.

    (Me) That's a pretty name.

    (David) Yeah, it is.

    I lost the battle against myself and put my phone down, putting my head against the hard surface of my desk, taking deep breaths to fight away the pain entering my chest. I sat up straight and smiled at my friend, regaining my self-control.

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    David drifted from me slowly over the next month, no longer hanging out with me after school. Little by little, I began to get over him, relapsing a little when we stopped talking the last few weeks of school. The silence between us lasted longer than I would've liked, only ceasing when he checked up on me after school got out.

    I sat in my room, hiding from the world and letting the sad melody float from my speakers, when all of a sudden my phone vibrated. I took my time reaching for it, expecting it to be an app, my heart pounding as I saw a name that sent hope through me.

    (David) Hey.

    The one worded text gave me more joy than I would've liked, making me text back immediately.

    (Me) Hi. How are you?

    (David) I'm good, and you?

    (Me) I'm okay.

    (David) Just okay?

    Contemplating a reply, I breathed in deeply and sent a one worded reply.

    (Me) Yep.

    (David) What's wrong?

    (Me) Nothing.

    (David) Don't lie to me, little lady.

    I smiled at the old nickname and quickly wiped it from my face, ignoring the demand.

    (Me) How's Marie?

    (David) She's great.

    My mind sent images of the two happily going out and hanging out at his house and I blinked the tears away, trying to ignore the ache in my heart.

    (Me) That's wonderful.

    The phone stopped vibrating after that, making me jump when the screen brightened again.

    (David) I miss you.

    Hands shaking, I ran my hands through my hair before texting back slowly.

    (Me) I miss you too.

    (David) Please come over.

    I jumped up and got dressed quickly, yelling at my mom that I was going out before running out of the house. Walking the long distance to the house I knew as well as my own, I thought about what I was doing, feeling a little to eager to see the man who broke my heart. Anticipating seeing his face, I knocked on the door now looming in front of me, feeling a smile appear across my face when he appeared in the doorway. He smiled back and pulled me into the house. His arms wrapped around me tightly and I wrapped mine around him, not wanting to move from that spot. I pulled back and looked up at him, opening my mouth to say something but not being able to when his lips touched mine.

    Pulling back quickly, I shook my head and looked at him confusedly, "What are you doing?"

    He looked down and sighed, "I told you I miss you. It just felt right."

    "You have a girlfriend!"

    "I know, I know, but I still love you."

    "And you love her?"

    He nodded and breathed in shakily, making me sigh sadly, "You can't have both of us."

    I kissed him softly and turned to the door, watching the ground move under me as I left the love of my life alone.

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    I went back to David numerous times over the Summer, all while he was still attached to Marie, making me feel guilty with every second I found pleasure in his embrace. By the last week of the short season, I had started to accept that he wasn't gonna choose me.

    (Unknown #) Hey, come over.

    (Me) No, I'm not doing this anymore. I refuse to keep hurting the people around us and not even be fully happy. Whatever this is between us is over.

    (Unknown #) Okay.

    Tears filled my eyes as I read the short reply, throwing my phone down and sobbing into my hands as my heart shattered all over again, the pieces flying off in the wind.

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    Weeks later, the pain became to much. I wasn't getting any better, everywhere I looked, I was reminded of the man who had rejected me for the last time. The day I saw him out with Marie was the last straw, pushing me into the decision I had been struggling with for to long.

    My eyes drifted closed as I entered the sleep I would never wake up from. Breathing became harder and harder as I finally drifted off, knowing I would finally be happy somewhere else.