Noah Centineo Imagines

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

I sighed as I looked at my phone to see that I had been sitting in the restaurant at our usual table for over an hour. I also noticed there wasn't a single call or text warning me that he would be late. He said he had a meeting, but that was over an hour before he was supposed to be here. He swore he'd be done in time for dinner.

Just like I predicted, he wasn't.

I looked up, my cheeks burning when I saw the waitress who has stopped at my table every fifteen minutes smile sadly at me.

"Can I get you something else to drink?" She asked, gesturing towards my soda that was definitely flat by now. "Maybe something stronger?"

"No, thank you," I replied politely. "He isn't going to make it. Sorry, I took up a table." I slowly stood up, smoothing out my skirt. I tried to pay for the soda but she wouldn't take the money. I sent her a half-hearted smile as I left the restaurant.

The whole drive back to my apartment, tears threatened to spill. I knew that the second they did, everything I've felt over the past couple of months would come rushing out like a dam breaking.

Noah's career has taken off since To All The Boys I've Loved Before and the Fosters and, if I'm being completely honest, it's been hard on me. I love watching him work and blossom into something more. I just wish he wasn't gone all the time, he didn't come home late at night, and he didn't stand me up on dinner dates.

I pulled into the driveway, a shaky breath leaving my lips as I put my car in park. I felt as if my feet were made of lead as I walked up the short path. I unlocked the door, sighing when I expected to see anything other than lights off.

I headed straight upstairs and started getting ready for bed. I took my makeup off, pulled my hair into a messy bun, and slipped into a pair of leggings. I decided to spend the next few hours sitting on my bed, reading a book.

I didn't bother to look up when I heard the front door open a little over an hour later. I sank into the pillows as I heard him moving around downstairs. When I started to hear footsteps walk up the stairs, I held my breath waiting for him.

"Hey, baby."

I didn't look up when he walked in. I continued reading my book, or trying to, as he tossed his jacket near the closet. I felt him stop at the end of the bed, waiting for me to say hi back.

"Y/N?" He asked when I didn't say anything. "Everything okay?"

"You forgot," I said, not looking up from the book.

"Forgot what?" He asked slowly.

I looked up at him, not hiding the hurt look on my face. "Seriously?" I asked, my voice breaking. I shook my head and looked back down at my book.

"Y/N," he sighed. "What did I forget, babe? Did I forget to pick something up? Did I forget something at work? Did I forget. . ."

I put my book down, waiting to see if he would remember. I watched as his eyes widened. "Dinner," he said softly. I rolled my eyes as I got off the bed and walked to the bathroom.

"Y/N," he grabbed my arm to stop me. "I am so sorry."

"Of course you are," I sighed as I pulled my arm out of his hold and walked to the bathroom, slamming the door shut. I took longer than needed to finish getting ready for bed. When I was finally ready, I hesitated to walk out into the room.

When I did, Noah was pacing back and forth. He stopped and looked up when I opened the door. "Y/N," he said, sounding relieved. He quickly walked over, stopped in front of me and grabbed my hands in his. "I am so sorry I forgot about dinner. Were you waiting long?"

"Was I waiting long?" I scoffed. "I waited over an hour for you. And all you have to say is that you're sorry. Do you know how many times in the last few months you've said that to me?"

He stuttered, not knowing what to say. "I've lost count," I said, my voice breaking. "I started to get too tired, too hurt, to keep track."

"Why does it matter that I've said it a couple of times? I still mean it."

"Do you?" I cut him off. "Because after saying it over and over and over again, it loses its punch."

"Are you saying it doesn't make a difference when I say it?"

"Yes," I said harsher than I should have. "Noah, the more you say it, the less it means."

"Why?" His voice got caught in his throat.

"Because it doesn't change anything. You still come home late, you still forget to call, you still leave me sitting all alone at the restaurant feeling like a naive girl who got stood up by her blind date!"

With each misdemeanor I listed off, my voice got louder and louder until I yelled the last one, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I can't do this anymore," I said, my voice breaking.

"Y/N, wait." The panic was clear in his voice as he took a step towards me. He grabbed my hands but I instantly stepped back, pulling my hands out of his.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I turned on my heel and ran out of the room. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I went down the stairs as fast as I could.

"Y/N!" I heard Noah chasing after me. I was just about to reach the front door when Noah grabbed my hand. He spun me around, a scared expression on his face.

"Please," he begged. "I know I haven't been around much but. . . I can change. I will change, just. . . Please don't go. I need you. I love you, Y/N."

"I love you too, Noah," I said sadly. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and took a step closer to the door. "But I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."

"Please," he whispered. I quickly opened the door and slid through it before he could say or do anything else.

Noah's POV

I sunk down, sitting on the bottom stair. The image of Y/N leaving, tears streaming down her cheeks stuck in my head.

I couldn't let it end like this.

I pushed myself off the stairs and ran outside. I jumped in my car, shoving the keys into the ignition. "No," I whispered as the engine didn't turn over. "Please, not now." I tried a couple more times before giving up.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" I yelled as I hit the steering wheel. As I tried to calm down, my eyes landed on a sparkly red bike the neighbor's teenager must have left out.

"Sorry, Halley," I said as I got out of the car. I looked at the neighbor's house, hesitating for only a second before deciding they would understand.

"I'll bring it back."

Part 2 Coming Soon