the kitchen and yank the refrigerator ope

d take a long swig and wipe the corners

stagger my way back

me, this one has hit me the hardest. I s

be me who would marry Emm. E

my girlfriend, flashes across my mind and I

loud as I stare at a large photo

ASHB

t. I mean, nearly every guy in my class has a girlfriend. There are so many girl

Michae

iend, although I have never told her that I like her. I've always wondered if s

p to her as she's headi

zel eyes twinkling under the bright sun. Her dark brown hair

o

practice. You're the school's quarterback," she says

ach I'd be running a little lat

and nods. "See

ng Emm. I just need a minute or two,"

" she asks curiously a

hen I might as well forg

d every single day I grow fonder of you and... and I uhm, well, how do I say this? I... I really like you, Emily. Not ju

d her ear. Her cheeks are now flushed and

a moment I think my heart does a back flip.

be my girlfriend?" I ask and sh

kisses my cheek and I swear I have never felt anything like what I am feeling right now. It's like my

ng like a loon and E

I'll see you around," s

I run back to th

OF FLA

bottle right across the room and it smashes against her photo and both the b

to the wall and I grab another photo of Emm and me. I don't spare it either and I smash it a

ead and drag myself upstairs, there, I stare at myself in the mirror.

d and stare up

, broken, unwor

ldn't I have noticed? She hid everything so well. How long has s

arly makes me choke

don't want to cry but, I find myself doing so. I mi

itterly smack the pillows and bite

It fucki

which people break up, but I never thought I'd be one to suffer this way. We've had a

rything right. I loved her unconditionally, made love to her, an

houghts, I drift away to la-la land and the nex

blacked out

ive missed calls and two texts

you picking my

ing. I was still asleep," I say a

t over ther

. I must find out how all of this happened

take care of my work and yours too whi

the best

m not letting you drive all the way to Brondale while

" I say and hang up, then lay my head back on

ls too big

d sit on. Now, she's gone and I can't seem to

blink at the empt

obably get

out of bed. I'm having a mild headache, but

ater from the shower, an image of her crosses my mind. Ther

l myself as I shake my head

*

heading to my hometown. It's been a while since I've been there, probably ei

Dave breaks the silence and I glan

I'm still in shock," I say a

enc

who that

nd out about him?" I ask

n article caught my eye. It had his name. Damien Foster, appare

hen Dave finishe

?" I

s as his palms tighten a

Prime Minister,

o

Emily? How did th

nsions, companies an entire airline kind of rich. I Googl

oney?" I frown at the thought then

swer that,"

an Emily," I say and frown at my phone. "The last time I checked, Emily has never fancied the idea

If she didn't go for his money then I have no ide

s' house, she's probably there. Dear God, I don't want to lose h

ind when she sees you," he says

driving too slowly, I'm not Gianna,

lly

you drive fast. Emm never complained when I did–" I cut myself off the moment I realiz

ne answers, we've tried the d

ask and I run around. It's Emm's neighbor

'am?" I ask as Dave and I walk

nd. How have you been?" she asks while shov

you seen the Mic

arents, at the farm. Oh, she's also there

re right away. You have a gr

*

e farm that Emm's grandpar

ve says as he leaves the

ches below our feet. Inside we find her

ile forms on his face. Why the hell would he be smiling right now? Do

here? I haven't seen you in years," he says an

since I came h

Dave," I introduce the two to e

en Emm?" I a

g some waffles at a nearby diner," he says

now," she says and I hear her footsteps getting closer to the barn and I

her eyes land on me, she s

tters and swa

e a step forward and sh

threatening to b