Against All Odds

Chapter 5

"Josh, please slow down." I plead, half jogging, half running catching up to his fuming stature storming away from me in a rapid pace.

The whole party was distant as Josh and I were now at the football field. Even the ground stop shaking under us. All I could hear was just some faint beats and Josh's thunderous marching.

"Fine." he stop to his tracks and face me with harden features. His arms are folded in front of his chest and just from where I am I can feel him seething.

"Josh, please I'm so sorry I stood you up at the gate. I was just wrapped up-"

"-with your friend, Zack?" he spits, with such aggression, that I had to take a step back.

"Josh, how many times do-"

"You know, all I wanted do was just surprise my girlfriend on our third frickin' anniversary by telling her that I'm enrolling in the the same bloody college she's in just to be closer to her. But who knew what I'll be getting back is a slap in the face by Lady Reality herself with a pinch of heartache. Who knew my girlfriend was a cheating-"

"Josh, I didn't cheat on you!" I erupt.

"Yeah, right. Seeing you with that Zack guy. Pfft!" he scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Please, Josh-"

"Thanks for awesome gift, Madison. So much for getting me something. Yeah, a break up."

NO. NO. NO!

"Please Josh! Just hear me out! I have your-" I declare, raising my voice a notch higher, my vision disrupted thanks to the tears that just form.

"NO!" Josh bellows, his eyes wide, his chest heaving.

I can't lie, I'm really taken aback by his demeanour. But, I feel quite hurt and angry that he wouldn't let me have my say. But, I was more desperate to keep our relationship going. I couldn't just let him go. 

But-

NO! WE ARE NOT OVER JUST YET!

I quickly banish my negative thoughts and hoped for the best.

"I'll do anything." I add, this time my voice almost a whisper. This time tear run down my cheek.

"It's over, Madison." he say regretfully. I could just see the hurt in his eyes, before he walked away from me.

This time I didn't follow suit. I didn't catch up to him. I feel numb to the core. I feel like time stopped and all my mind could do was repeat those two fateful words.

It's over.

No, we can't be over just like that. I did nothing wrong! I didn't cheat on him! I just went to a party. That's all.

I exhale. I just realized that through out the fight I was holding my breath.

I feel like was hit with a bus, countless of times. My chest ache so bad. It's as if someone rip my heart out of my chest and ran it over with a truck.

Is this what heart break feels like?

"Madison!" a voice pipe up behind me.

Soon, I realized that the pain in my chest was spreading torment on every being of my body, but impacting most my head. My head starts to ache and my vision starts to be blurry, I could feel my knees starting to buckle under me. 

I could still see Josh's silhouette, getting minuscule as the seconds tick by.

The next thing I know, I am engulfed by the darkness around me.

*~*~*~*

I pry my eyes open and it was a blurry Zack, looming over me. I blink a couple of times to get my vision back. I scan the room and  realized that we were in our dorm.

"Madison, what happened? You passed out, just so you know."

I didn't really get it at first.

What is he talking about?

But all the moments came to me like flashes of memories.

When I pleaded my case to him. When he refused to listen to me.

When he called it off.

I can't help but be overcome by sadness. I couldn't help but burst into tears.

"As you know, Josh instructed me to wait at the gate. But I totally forgot all about it. Not only is he's pissed that he got stood up but he's furious that I went the party. He called it off."

"And to make things worse, he actually went through all the hassle to enroll here to be closer to me." I add, as a second wave of tears engulf me.

"That's really sweet. But, you didn't do anything wrong at the party, Madison. We didn't even made it to the dance floor."

"Exactly!" I blurt out, delighted that someone actually sees this situation through my eyes.

A moment passed, where my sobs resonate the room.

"Maybe he's just wrapped up with the whole situation to actually think rationally. He's acting too quickly, if you ask me. You two just need to talk it out tomorrow." Zack, pipes up.

"I know. But what if-"

"Positive thoughts, Madison. All is well. Come on, say it with me."

If I was in my usual state, I would stare at him with a are-you-kidding-me look, 'cause what he just said could just be what Dora The Explorer said. Don't get me wrong, I love Dora. But I don't think I'm well suited for her now.

I just stare at him and he seems to be serious.

"All is well," I repeat after him.

"Good, now lets get some good nights sleep, Its' been a long night. I bet tomorrow's gonna be a greater day than this." he states, optimistic.

I know he's just trying to lighten up the room but I don't think it's working.

But...

Yeah, I hope.

*~*~*~*~*~*

At around 3 am, I wake up. I checked my phone for the time, if you're wondering how I know what time it was.

I don't really know why but all I  could think about was our fight. It's as if it was on loop on my head. It's all that I ever think about.

I look to my left and Zack is fast asleep, judging by his calm features and rhythmic breathing.

I got off my bed and tiptoed to the collage that I made customarily for Josh. I sit on the floor and reminisce on every moment; from the first photo downright to the last one on the board.

All of our memories are here.

Our first kiss on top of the Ferris wheel, at the annual carnival.

The first photo we took at a photo booth.

The last  picture taken before I had to go to college.

Oh, Josh! Why did you have to call it over?

A tear escape my already wet eyes and fall on a picture, making a small transparent pool. I found myself sobbing not long soon enough.

"Mmmmmm," I could hear  Zack moan, sleepily behind me.

I cup my mouth and try with all my might to restrain the sob for Zack's sake.

I shouldn't stand in his way of getting a good night's sleep.

I slowly made my way to my bed and slip into it. I rest my head against my pillow, my face drenched with tears.

I pulled my duvet over me, making sure it cocooned me from the outside word before drowning my sorrows away on my loyal purple pillow.

I cried the most that night than any given night.