Loving Is Hard

Chapter - 1

"Do you love him?"

"Yes"

"How much?"

"Does it matter?"

"Why does it not?"

"Because it wasn't enough to make him stay."

_

They entered Sean's house. Luckily, no one was there at the moment. There was complete silence, they barely even talked to each other these days. Rachel scouted down to sit on the sofa whereas Sean went into the washroom.

For the past couple of months, things hadn't been as great between them as they were in the past two years. Misunderstandings kept on growing between them like fire on a dry stem. Being extremely possessive was their new normal now. Small things triggered their anger. But everyone has such a phase in their relationship... Right?

Sean walked out of the washroom and looked up at Rachel who was busy going through her phone, scrolling and texting. "Show me your phone!" Sean demanded extending his arm before Rachel
"What do you mean, why do you want my phone?" Rachel, shocked at his words.

"I know something is going on between you and Zack." He stated crossing his arms over his chest with a stern expression on his face.

Rachel got up and walked up to Sean. She held his hand in hers "Sean, we've already talked about this. I already told you, he's just a good friend, nothing more than that." She said looking into Sean's eyes in hope of finding any trace of the trust left for her.

Sean pulled his hand away, "I know everything, I've seen it all." He said turning away. "Babe, your mistaken. It's just that we're going to the same college so we have a lot to discuss these days." She said trying her best to convince him.

Sean remained silent for a moment and then spoke up, "Seriously, now you're going to show off? You know how hard it is for me these days but no... You just had to bring up the topic. How come you be so mean all of a sudden Rae? I thought you cared!" He said, taking a seat on the sofa burying his head in his hands in frustration.

Rachel neared him. She sat beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder "Sean, why are you thinking like that. If anyone can understand your feelings at the moment, it's me. I know how you're feeling and believe me I'm more depressed over the fact that you didn't get admitted into the same college as me. And I'm not showing off, it is just that lately, we've been arguing a lot and fighting over baseless stuff." She kissed him on the side "I know it is a hard time but I'm pretty sure you'll get admitted to an even better college, even better than Percien High. You should hope for the best and at least try to a bit optimistic in this crucial time."

Sean stood up from the couch "Rae I don't think this going to work out anymore, this relationship is just becoming worse day by day." As soon as Rachel heard those words her eyes became teary. She wasn't expecting this from Sean.

"Sean, it has been two years. How can you even think like that? Every relationship has its highs and lows. I'm willing to do anything to save this relationship then why can't you?" Rachel said trying to provoke Sean.

"I don't think we would be able to pull off this long-distance relationship and-" Sean was saying as Rachel came closer to him. She held him by his arms, standing face to face, "But I'm sure we can and we will." Rachel assured Sean.

Sean's eyes lacked hope, hope that Rachel was looking for. Love had started to die out between the two. Sean wasn't even trying to have a conversation over here. He wasn't even looking Rachel in the eyes.

Sean immediately shook her hands off him and became even more frustrated upon hearing her words. For him, all that she had said were lies. He was so uncomfortable by the idea that Zack and Rachel will be going to the same college and he, being his boyfriend, didn't get admitted into any of the colleges he had applied for up till now.

"No! I'm not okay with this. I can't do this anymore. I want to break up!" He blurted out obliviously. Rachel was shocked at what she just heard. She was shocked at Sean's attitude. "Sean I thought we made a promise." Rachel tried to remind him of their previous conversations. "No, I never made any promises. Stop the emotional drama already. Can't you see that I'm done over here!" Sean exclaimed aggressively.

"Sean why are you overreacting. It's not my fault that you didn't get admission to the same college as me!" Rachel had enough. "I'm sick of trying to work things out between the two of us for the last month but every single effort that I make goes all in vain... You don't even take a second to ruin it!" She shouted at him.

"I know what kind of efforts you've been making and on who as well!" He scoffed. Sean had hit the wrong nerve. Accusing someone just because of your weird mood swings is never acceptable. "Stop it right there Sean! How can you even say such a thing like that? Everyone knows you're just pissed over the fact the I got the admission and so did Zack and to be honest that doesn't mean to judge other people's character like this." Rachel said tearing up. She probably had enough of this nonsense. She had been trying her best to convince Sean of a long-distance relationship. She tried everything to comfort him but it was never fruitful.

Sean was enraged at her words even though it was the truth "Leave me alone then. Go with your Zack to that stupid college anyway... Just don't talk to me." Sean yelled at Rachel.

Rachel flinched at his words. How could he be so brutal? End two years of a perfect relationship so abruptly? Devasted at his behavior, Rachel thought that it was time to make a final decision. She knew that Sean had been drifting away from her despite all her efforts to save their relationship.

Trying not to be weak in front of Sean, she held her tears. "Fine! I also don't wanna do this anymore. I think we both know that I have other problems to deal with. I can't afford to add up one more to my worries."

"Yeah, as you have made it clear that I'm a problem for you, you are free from my side. You are free to date Zack or any other guy whom you've been playing around with in my absence." He shouted at her. Blaming her just out of frustration, he had shattered her heart into pieces.

Rachel stood there, looking at Sean. She couldn't believe that it was the same Sean she fell for. Same Sean she promised to devote her life to. Same Sean who promised to love her till his last breath. I guess things aren't always as they seem.

Rachel picked up her bag from the sofa and before heading out she said her last words to Sean "I never thought you would be like this; break this bond of ours as if it meant nothing to you, accuse me despite knowing everything. I hate you, Sean! Don't show me your face ever again. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!!!" She said and the tears she had been trying to keep in, finally started to flow down her cheeks.

Just then the front door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Harris walked in along with Sean's younger brother, Trevor.
"Well hello there, how was your day?" Mrs. Harris said closing the door.

Rachel wiped off the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. "It was okay." She sniffed, walking towards the door. Mrs. Harris watched Rachel, completely aware that something was off.

"I guess, I'll go. It was nice seeing you guys." Rachel said keeping her head low before going out.

"What happened between you two?" Mrs. Harris questioned his son, Sean who was sitting on the sofa, massaging his temples.

Sean removed his hand from his head. Looking up at his mother he replied,  "We broke up. . ."

"You what!!"

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