Tough Love

Chapter 44

Riley's POV

I stumble back and hold the left side of my face. I tried to hold back the tears as a throbbing feeling started. I looked at James, expecting to see some kind of emotion in his eyes from hurting me. There was nothing.

He stood there, his hands at his sides and his eyes blank as he stared at me.

I didn't say anything else as I pushed past him, still clutching my face, and walked down the stairs and out the door.

James POV

I watch Riley as she leaves, her hand covering the side of her face in which I had just punched.

I never bothered following her, but lid down on my bed instead and just thought of what I had just done.

I had gotten mad with her, even though she was just being honest with me. I had basically overreacted about te whole situation and yelled at her. And lastly, I punched her. I punched her after I had promised her I would never hurt her.

I sped down the stairs, grabbing the car keys, and rushed out the door. I scrambled into the car and started driving down the road. Not far from the house, I see Riley. I pull the car over infront of her, get out and start to slowly walk towards her, as she starts to back up.

"Riley, don't be scared of me." I say calmly. She pauses before she began walking towards me. We meet in the middle. I pick her up by the waist and gentle set her down on the trunk of the car. She looks away from me. I move my hand to her jaw and turn her face to look at me. She winces, and that's when I noticed that it's the side of her jaw that I had punched.

"Sorry." I say softly. She shrugs and crosses her arms, looking away again. I place my hands on both sides of her.

"Riley, look at me." I say quietly. She looks up at me, as a tears rolls down her cheek.

"You promised me." She says sharply. "You promised me that you would never hurt me!"

"I know Riles, and I'm so sorry! I can't believe I did that to you either!" I plead to her, placing my hands on her arms. She doesn't respond. I lean my forehead against her shoulder, repeatedly mumbling sorry, over and over again. She finally says something, but it breaks my heart to hear her say.

"I think we should take a break from this."

I look at her serious expression in disbelief.

"What do you mean by a 'break'?" I question.

"Like, still be together, just not 'be' together. Just spend some time alone for a bit. Not like see other people, but just not be, like, around each other for awhile." She explains nervously. I put my hands on her shoulders and stare in her eyes.

"Is that what you want?" I ask. She stays silent for a moment, until she nods.

"Yeah, it is." She says softly.

I felt like I just lost apart of me. Like there was something there that just died. I wondered if there was anyway I could have prevented her from wanting to take a 'break' from our relationship. I leaned my forehead against hers.

"Just remember that I'll wait forever for you, and I'll always love you." I whisper. I softly brush my lips against her forehead. I let go of her and she climbs off the car.

"I'll, um, see you at dance." She says. I nod.

"Yeah, I'll see you around." I reply sadly. She gives me one last week smile. I feel my heart slowly start to break and crumble as I watch her walk away from me.