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A SINKING SHIP ___________________________________
Zoe might of been hurting but she still managed to make herself look presentable with nice clothes and makeup to hide the bags under her eyes from staying up all night.
Zoe headed downstairs to see her dad asleep on the couch with empty bear cans surrounding him. Robert didn't usually drink, but when he did, he did it to get drunk. Zoe frowned at the sight and continued walking. She grabbed her car keys and left the house.
Zoe drove all the way to her and Brandon's usual hangout, a small diner downtown. It didn't get as many customers as it use to since Starcourt Mall was built. Zoe was thankful for the lack of people, now she could breakdown without as many stares.
Zoe jumped out of her car and walked into the diner. Brandon was seated at their usual booth, his back towards Zoe. Zoe took a deep breath before walking over to the booth and sliding into the seat across from him.
"Hey," Brandon said, giving her a small smile.
Zoe didn't smile back, she looked at him with a blank expression. Brandon looked exhausted and Zoe hated herself because she wanted to hug the sad out of him. He did this to himself, he deserves to feel this way.
"Look, Zoe, i'm sorry. I really am, it was a mistake and it will never, ever, happen again. I promise," Brandon said, reaching over and grabbing her hand.
Zoe snatched her hands off of the table. "Sorry won't cut it this time, Brandon. How am I supposed to trust you after this? Your promises don't mean shit," Zoe snapped.
Brandon looked down at the table, nodding. "I understand that... just please don't give up on me, not yet. We've been through so much together, I need you," Brandon said, looking back up at her.
"Should of thought about that before you cheated on me," Zoe glared, shaking her head at him. "How many times did you cheat?" She asked, her sadness turning into anger.
"That was the only time, I promise. I swear on my sisters life," Brandon said, raising his hands in the air.
Zoe sighed. "That doesn't make it any better, you still cheated on me once," Zoe said. Brandon nodded. "When did you stop loving me? Don't tell me that you never did because you had to of. You wouldn't of cheated on me if you loved me," Zoe said.
Brandon sighed. "I will always love you, Zoe. Forever, just like I promised, even if we're not together forever. I swear on everything close to me I never stopped loving you, I just... I don't know how to say this without making it sound bad... I—I found Donna to be attractive, and attraction turns into lust sometimes and then when she made the first move I couldn't think straight and I gave in... I shouldn't of done it, I regret it so fucking much, Zoe. I'm so sorry... tell your dad i'm sorry too," Brandon pursed his lips. His eyes looked genuine, he really did still love her, but Zoe didn't care. Zoe couldn't be with him anymore.
"He won't care, no amount of apologies will make him forgive you," Zoe said. "I knew we should of stayed friends... now look at what's happened, lost my best friend and boyfriend in one day," Zoe sighed.
"You're breaking up with me?" Brandon asked.
Zoe nodded, unable to look at him. "I'm sorry Brandon, but I have too. I can't even look at you without seeing what I walked in on last night," Zoe explained. Brandon sighed. "Goodbye, Brandon."
Zoe stood up, giving his shoulder one last squeeze before saying, "don't worry, you'll find another girl to cheat on one day. They won't be as good as me, and you'll realise that and regret everything you did even more," and walking out of the diner.
Zoe felt satisfied but also sad. She was happy he was gone but felt like she was missing a big part of her. Zoe just walked away from the person she had the most memories with, she felt like she had a Brandon shaped hole in her heart and although she knew that dropping him was what was best for her, she couldn't help but feel like she needed him still.
It sucked how even though he's the one who caused her pain she still wanted to run into his arms and let him comfort her until she was okay again.
Zoe sped all the way home, tears streaming down her face. She just wanted to burry herself in blankets and cry her eyes out until everything was better, until she was over Brandon.
The loud slam of the front door woke Robert from his sleep, he jumped off the lounge and watched as his daughter ran up the stairs, hysterically crying as she did so. Robert chased after her, running all the way into her bedroom to find her crying into her pillow.
"Zoe," Robert whispered, sitting down on her bed and rubbing her back. "Everything will be okay, I promise. You're going to heal and everything will feel better," Robert said.
Zoe sat up and gave her dad a hug. "I'm sorry dad, I'm so sorry," Zoe sighed.
Robert hugged her back, closing his eyes to prevent tears from falling. He could cry later but right now he had to be strong for Zoe. "It's alright Zoe," Robert said.
The two sat there on Zoe's bed hugging each other and silently crying. They were both heartbroken for the same reasons. In an odd way it felt comforting to both of them to know they had been been through the exact same thing.
