Short stories

What I Can't Forget

My eyes followed the droplets of rain that sped down the glass window as i listened to my best friend rant to me about the happenings at school.

"And then Marie had the nerve to tell me i was a cheep slut who was vying for the entire male population's attention. Like who does she think she is? SHE'S the one who had slept with half the school's men. INCLUDING the teachers!" She said, barely breathing between the words. But she stopped her rant short when she saw i wasn't paying attention. "Honey, you have to let him go. He let you go, now it's time you do the same."

A few weeks ago this would be enough for me to cry until i'm choking or until i'm sleeping. But not anymore. I have no more tears left to give. I couldn't shed a tear even if i wanted to. I sighed heavily and focused my drooping eyes on her figure.

"I want to move on but i can't," i reply simply. She shook her head and asked what's holding me back. My temple pressed against the cold glass, chilling me to my spine. "Memories. The memories of us hold me back," i began.

"There are so many things i want to go back and fix," i look at the pictures still tacked to my walls. "So many moments i want to relive." I chuckle darkly before i turn and burn my eyes into hers. "You know, Father Time is a real jerk. He made me fall in love with him in the blink of an eye. Yet, even after 4 months, he refuses to let me move on.

He gives me every night to remember it all. All the hurt. All the love. All the memories i have. Father Time gives me all the time in the world to think about those things but never gives me anytime to get some sleep. My eyes are now hollow, i have bags under my eyes and my cheeks are sunken in."

I get up and walk to the picture where he's holding me from behind and i'm wearing the necklace he gave me. It was his Zodiac sign intertwined with mine. He bought it for me claiming that the stars aligned to make the perfect match, us. I rip the photo down from its place on the wall and hold it in my now shaking hand.

"I should have kept the necklace," i choke out. "When i gave it back to him, he even insisted i keep it for sentimental reasons. I should've listened to his last words of advice." I slammed the picture in the desk and picked up my hair brush. I threw it across the room and it hit the wall, leaving its mark before it clattered to the ground. I screamed and pulled at my hair. I threw more objects. Vases, perfume, pill bottles, make up. My friend stood back in the corner of the room as my fit came to an end. She edged forward cautiously. Her hand make contact with my back and she pulled me into her shoulder.

"It'll get better. You'll see." She told me the same lie that everyone else had. I was sick and tired of hearing it to be honest.

"You know maybe it's a good thing i didn't keep the necklace." I said suddenly.

My friend looked puzzled for a moment, "And why is that?" I examined my room that now screamed of heartbreak, hurt, and old pictures.

"I have enough memories to keep me awake at night."