The 20 Year Old Virgin | Herophine

Chapter 27: A Turning Point

Hero

Turning my back on Jo and getting in this Uber is definitely the hardest thing I've had to do. The shattered look on Jo's face that she tried so hard to hide from me has been and forever will be burned into my memory. I always thought that I am the type of guy who would do everything just to see the woman I love happy.

And yet here I am. In a fucking Uber ride, leaving her behind.

How many times have I managed to hurt her? How many times will I continue to hurt her?

I still can't believe my parents went so far as to guilt-trip me into flying back to London just because of the innocent picture of Jo and I kissing-as long as they don't know the real story behind that picture, it will remain innocent. They've always been so supportive of my decisions; even with my relationship with Sophia years ago, they never came between us. And now, they can't even tolerate a single photo of me and Jo kissing? This is just pure rubbish! If they only know how wicked my ex-girlfriend was, they would definitely agree that Jo is a much better match for me. In fact, they would even agree with me that Jo is my perfect match. If only they would have listened to me earlier instead of cutting me off and lecturing me for over half an hour on the phone.

"Son, I'm sorry but your mum and I want you to come home. Now. I don't know what's been going on with you over there with that..." he struggles to find the word and I hold my breath waiting for him to continue. I swear to god if he calls Jo by any name, I will end this call. "With your co-star but you've clearly been straying from everything we've inculcated into you. You can't even begin to imagine how dumbfounded your mum was when she saw the photo. Your indiscretion has caused her so much stress. Seriously, son, what has gotten into you for you to act like a completely different person, doing those... acts out in public?" he struggles. My dad is so conservative, he can't even say what he truly means. "That person in the photo isn't the son we raised and know and we can only assume that all of these changes in you have something to do with your relationship with that woman," he continues.

"Dad, she has a name. Her name's Josephine and she isn't just my co-star or just any woman. She's my girlfriend and we were just kissing dad. I don't know why this is such an issue-"

"Enough!" he raises his voice which makes me shut my mouth abruptly. Dad rarely ever raises his voice at me and my siblings. He's always been the reasonable and more tolerant of my parents and I actually thought he'd be more supportive towards my new relationship. Obviously, I am mistaken. "You will listen to what I have to say," he says, his voice lower with controlled temper. "I've arranged for your flight. You are leaving LA tonight and take the red-eye flight to Heathrow from LAX. I'm not asking for your opinion on this Hero. You obviously aren't very much capable of making sound judgements and decisions on your own."

I groan aloud out of my building frustration. I feel like a fucking child by how they are treating me right now and I just allowed them. God I am so pathetic!

I love Josephine and I want to do good by her. I remember how her face lit up the moment I told her about my staying for two weeks with her here in LA. She was practically glowing with happiness. I want to always put a smile on her face just like in that moment; I want to be the reason she's glowing and happy. Not the opposite of it. Not the glistening eyes with unshed tears; not the biting of her quivering lips from trying to hold back her sobs; not the dullness of her once bright blue-grey eyes.

I love her and she deserves the world and yet I couldn't even give her two weeks of my time.

What kind of a lousy boyfriend am I?

Jo

I lay on my bed facing the ceiling, unblinking. I've never felt so alone before, never felt this kind of emptiness. It's like there's this vast void inside my chest. A sink hole. No. A black hole.