Orphans Keep Secrets

C.4

(Two Weeks Later)

Ever since I saw Marcos it feels like I got my heart broken all over again. I think about him all day, every day. Our breakup just replays in my mind and all the hurt comes back. What if he's moved back to Sabletown for good?

I wish and hope to see his name pop up on my phone. Asking to see me, asking if I'm okay.

I need a distraction. Since I couldn't settle on one thing to do, I decide just to go for a walk in the warm summer breeze. As I reach the door, I hear Austin yell out "I hope you don't think you can go on a depressed walk in the middle of the night without me" He rushes down the stairs and out the door before I can even object. "You coming or not" he says with a smirk as he turns and starts walking.

We walk down the sidewalk in a comfortable silence and I know he'll bring up Marcos soon so i quickly start a conversation.

I look up at him and say "I can take care of myself Austie"

"Yeah I know you can you doof. Doesn't mean I'll let you"

"Trust me, I know you won't"

We laugh together and I see the park in the distance. There's one tire swing and me and him always fight for it. I look up at him and he looks lost in thought. I think for a second and bolt. It only takes a few seconds for him to realize where I'm to and he starts coming after me. I squeal and bust out in laughter after I land in the seat. He plops into the normal swing next to me, pouting like a child.

We talk about the future, him leaving soon, and my past. The only topic I was never open to talk about was Marcos. Austin always asked about him but i never wanted to relive it. But since I saw him two weeks ago and I can't stop thinking about it, maybe I need to talk about it.  As soon as I was about to open my mouth I looked at Austin and he was staring straight past me. I turned to see what he was looking at and guess who I see walking slowly towards us in the distance? 

If you guessed Marcos then give yourself a little pat on the back.

As slowly stood up an looked right at him. Our eyes met and I saw so many emotions that he never showed. It was like pain,love, and regret all in one. Austin quickly jumped in front of me taking his role as best friend and stared straight at Marcos. I gladly stood behind Austin, with my hands clutching his shirt hoping and praying that once I opened my eyes again Marcos would be gone. But that wasn't the case. 

"Nell"

"Nell come on. I just want to talk to you"

"Chanelle just look at me! Please?"

After listening to him beg for me to talk to him, I slowly stepped out from behind Austin and looked him straight in the eyes. Clearing my throat I said "What do you want Marcos?"

"I just want to talk. Please, can we just talk?"

I turned to Austin and nodded, letting him know that he could go home. Maybe this is what I needed. Maybe I'll get an explanation. 

I walked to the swings and could hear Marcos following me. As soon as I choose a swing, he sits down beside me and clears his throat. I wait and wait for him to say something but he doesn't. finally he says "how have you been?"

I scoff and say " Really? after all this time, the first thing you choose to say is 'How have you been?' "

"Chane-"

"No Marcos! I waited, for months for an explanation. You left me. You said you didn't love me and then you left! I called you, I texted you, I looked for you and you were NOWHERE to be be found. You broke my heart and left me on a bridge." 

Sadly chuckling, I looked him dead in the eyes and said " Say whatever you need to say because this is the last time I want to talk to you"

He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Suddenly he just looked away and turned to leave. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and every ounce of hope leaving my body. He turned, looked at me, and said " I left because I couldn't pretend to love you anymore. I stopped loving you a while ago and it was torture having to see the love and excitement in your eyes whenever you saw me. " I could feel my heart breaking. " I hated the fact that I didn't love you as much as you loved me. So I had to end it. And I don't regret it. and I don't regret leaving you but I figured you deserved an explanation so yeah." I was sobbing at this point and could feel my whole body shaking. " I won't love you again. Bye Chanelle, have a nice life. And don't worry. I'm moving far away from Sabletown." 

With that, he turned away and walked away from the par and more importantly, out of my life.