If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Six

Tom’s POV

“Babe it’s time to go down and face the music.” We have been sitting in the room for about an hour now and quite frankly I’m bored.

“They’re all going to hate me.” Anne says while looking up at me with big round eyes full of regret and guilt. “And I don’t blame them; I should have ended it with Max and then told everyone I was with you a couple of weeks later.”

“Anne, they’re not going to...” She cuts me off by giving me that ‘don’t be stupid’ glare, and I have to admit that she is probably right. I take her hand in mine before trying again. “They’re going to hate me too. And remember, I’m not leaving you, I’ll be by your side through it all, and I will be strong for you. But we really do need to go down stairs.” I hold out my hand and Anne stands up to take it. “Together.” I say smiling, before we begin walking down the stairs.

Sophie’s POV

Tom and Anne enter the living room to silence, she has the right to look ashamed but that isn’t going to stop me hating her, or him. How could they? I can’t even begin to understand it.

“Neither of us meant this.” Tom says to us and no one replies. Good. They don’t deserve it. They both stand awkwardly in the door way for a few more seconds which feel like a life time; before Anne steps towards me; the closet to the door.

“Please can you give this to Max for me when he comes back?” She asks holding out her engagement ring towards me.  If she thinks I’m taking it she’s mad, I’m not being the one to hurt Max even further; so instead I just ignore her. Eventually she walks across to the table and places the ring there, before walking back to Tom, where they leave the house without another word. I’d say they got the message.

Anne’s POV

Tom and I walk to the park in silence; him trying to hold me together and me trying to hold in the tears. Both of us failing.

“All my friends, h..hate me.” I stutter and sob into tom’s chest.

“It’s us against the world babe, and all that counts is here and now. But time heals everything, you’ll see.”  He’s trying so hard, and it’s so sweet, but it does nothing to comfort me.  I’ve torn out Max’s heart. I’m a bitch.

Charly’s POV

“You can come back now Max, they’ve gone.” I say into his answer phone, after trying to get him to pick up for over ten minuets. I’m really worried about him he’s falling apart, and what if he gives no one the chance to pick up the pieces?

Max’s POV

I walk back into the house and begin up the stairs without stopping to see anyone.

“Don’t.” I say as someone begins following me and thankfully they turn back around. I enter mine and Anne’s rooms and spend a while just staring at the bed, tormenting myself some more. I walk over to the wardrobe and pull out one of Anne’s tops, running it through my fingers and smelling the fabric. The smell is so wonderful, so welcoming and so... her. It pains my heart to do so, but I can’t let go it. I pick up my suitcase and place the top inside before filling it with my things. Where I’ll go I don’t know. The only thing I do know is that I have to get away. This house isn’t home for me anymore, not with its unwelcome reminders, or Tom and Anne sharing his room. I need to get away. And I need to be alone. Walking back down the stairs I hide behind the doorframe to the living room, debating whether or not to go and say good bye to the friends who have always been there for me, and would still be here for me if I gave them the chance. But I can’t give them chance and I can’t say good bye, because if I do, it will make leaving even more painful. For all of us. I open the front door, step through it and then close it quietly, so that no one notices. I walk down the street a little bit before turning back to face the house.

“Good bye.” I whisper, feeling tears beginning to fall again. I turn back around and continue walking, never looking back. Not knowing where I’m going and not planning on returning.