𝑭𝑨𝑳𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑺[paused due to lack of inspiration]

Chapter 3.

Neil

'I can't Shay!' I said frustrated

'Fine! You always just go for your soccer practices and haven't got time for me at all.' she countered furiously.

Just after confirming my graduation details, Shay rounded me to join her in some stupid lunch party Natalie was hoisting. I wasn't interested.

'I can't help it if Soccer Finals are next week' I said calming my mind, taking deep breaths within.

'Ugh,' she muttered heatedly and walked away to join Leah and Ila.

*~*

The Seniors were filing out of the classrooms and walking towards the auditorium as I was heading towards the locker rooms.

'Is there a musical or something? I asked Tyler blanking out about the knowledge of any such thing, my forehead wrinkling.

'No dude, its graduation rehearsals.' he replied tying up his afro braided hair into a knot.

'Let's get going' he said standing up.

I was kinda relieved not being present at the rehearsals because after Shay knew about my changes, she would surely create a scene right there. Apparently, Shay wanted to go to Waverly Institute of Cheerleading and Soccer where she wanted to pursue her Cheerleading career whereas she wanted me to seek soccer but I had other things in mind. Instead of Waverly, I chose Xavier's. I didn't tell her yet, and I decided to do it today.

'NEIL!!' Tyler called out.

*~*

The sound of the locker opening and closing echoed throughout the room with the mixed smell of sweat as we ended the practice. I texted, Shay:

        Meet me after practice?

Instantly, my phone clicked:

       Sure! Behind the library?

Her rage must have cooled down after the luxurious lunch she received.

*~*

The warm breeze refreshed my mind as I made my way towards the paved stairs. I was suddenly not sure if I wanted to confront Shay but I needed to tell her soon and I couldn't back off now. We usually spent our time together behind the library. The mousy brown hair covered Shay's face as she was rapidly typing away on her phone, biting on a hangnail.

'Hey' I said

'Hi!' she said finally distracted. She enveloped me in a hug breathing into her usual comforting smell.

'Did you want to meet up about something?' she questioned

'Actually Shay...' I faltered

'If you're gonna apologize, go ahead' she said smirking

'It isn't about...' I started but couldn't bring it up, a lump forming in my throat. She finally gave up the apology idea and said

'Forget it now. Do you want to discuss graduation rehearsals since you weren't there?'

I stood silently, and slightly nodded to which she continued sitting up straight

'Okay, so Charlie's going Yale obviously, Ila's going to Stephen's somewhere in Australia, we both are going to Waverly of course, Leah's going to-'

I couldn't keep it any longer and blurted out before she could finish

'Shay, listen' I said firmly and carefully swallowing the lump in my throat.

 'Yes?' she replies taken aback

'I haven't applied for Waverly.' I blurted out.

She flinches not believing what she just heard 

'What?' she questioned.

'I  applied for Xaviers'  

'Tell me...tell me your kidding ' she faltered.

'Look, Shay' I said mustering up some courage 'I know you wanted us to stay together, but just going to the same university won't help any of us. I know your circumstances but you need to understand mine too that's how a relationship works.' her eyes were brimming with tears but she dared not to let them escape.

As much as I was feeling like a jerk I had to clear my point.

'I always wanted to do both architectures and be in a soccer team and you know how hard it was for me to get here. So all that I'm asking from you is a little support from you. You might feel this is a shitty situation right now, but I have thought on my decision a lot and this was the only choice I had ' I finished with my eyes twitching.

'We can try working it out, trust me. ' I said like a child.

A year back she was in a serious long-distance relationship with a guy named Drake but one day he called her out of the blue and told her he was in love with another girl in class and called it off right there and there. She had a tough time moving on keeping in mind she is a very sensitive and vulnerable person.

'No you don't get it Neil the past year has been really shit for me and you know it. I didn't want that to happen this time too I don't wanna be in that place again '

She was silent for a while she was thinking hard, very hard and knew what was coming in my way next.'

'Neil.....I......I guess it's over '

It was so sudden but for a fact; I knew this conversation would end this way. I was confused about my feelings for her but I still cared for her a lot and I knew how this would affect her.

'i understand Neil... I know how much you wanted this but we can't be in this relationship if we both are away from each other and you know how much I've been hurt in the past being in a long distance. And I guess you know how this ends.'

And at last, she kissed me for a long time and for the last time, slowly entangled her hand from mine and walked towards the steps, the faint sound of her soles as she walked away from me and never once looked behind. I knew tears were fighting to escape her eyes.