Aaron
I guess my harsh treatment finally got through to Bella. She stopped bothering me. I didn't see her every morning, running to my car with food in her hands. Nor did she hang around me on campus and stare at me longingly. We rode our own paths now, and we were both happier for it. I finally got rid of her.
However, I wasn't sure how happy it made me or her.
Every day, I watched her walk past me on the way to her class. Our eyes would meet for a brief moment and she would quickly look away as if she didn't want me to see her. My heart raced each time she passed, but I just stood there, rooted in my spot, as she walked away.
"I guess Bella finally got the hint, huh?" Macie said. We were sitting in the cafe after class.
"Yeah...I guess...," I said and moved my food around distractedly.
"Are you gonna eat that?" Macie asked and pointed at my plate of rice and chicken.
"You can have it. Tastes disgusting anyway," I said and pushed the plate away.
"It tastes fine. You just don't like it because your little stalker spoiled you with her home-cooked meals," Macie smirked.
"That's not it at all," I protested. Feeling annoyed. Annoyed because Macie was right. Bella's cooking was much better than any food I've tasted. I wouldn't say I like that. I got used to it so much that nothing else tastes good anymore.
"There's something I need to talk to you about," Macie said.
I didn't like her tone. She sounded too serious.
"What's that?" I looked at her curiously.
"I don't know how to say this, but...I think we should break up," she said.
I was startled. I didn't see that coming! I thought things were going great between us, so what was this about?
"What are you talking about? Why are you breaking up with me?" I demanded. "Is it because of Bella? Wait...did you meet another guy?"
"What? Stop assuming. This has nothing to do with her or anyone else. Macie's voice trembled as she spoke, trying to find the right words that wouldn't break my heart. "We've been dating for a few months now, but..." I held my breath, fearful of what was coming next. "...I just don't feel any spark between us."
My heart sank as she continued, "I like you, and we get along very well, but I don't feel like we are a good match. I think it's better that we stick to being friends."
Her words stung a little, but I sighed as she wasn't entirely wrong. Our dating life was kind of boring. It was as if we were together just so we would have someone to be with. There was no chemistry. Physical or mental.
"Yeah, you are right. We should just stay friends. If you want," I smiled.
"I'd love that. I don't want to lose you as a friend," she said. "And hey, maybe now you can give the redhead a real chance? I'm sure she would be thrilled," Macie grinned.
"No fucking way," I said. I should have felt more upset at Macie for breaking up with me, but I felt just fine for some reason. It's part of being a grown-up, I guess.
~-~
"How are you holding up, bro?" Jake asked me one day.
"Fine. Why do you ask?" I narrowed my eyes.
"You seem kind of out of it after the breakup. You walk around with this gloomy expression on your face every day, and you look like you are losing weight too," Jane chimed in.
"I do?" I asked. It's not that I miss having a girlfriend or anything. But recently, I did lose my appetite and stopped eating regularly.
"I'm not sad about the breakup if that's what you are worried about," I said dismissively.
"Okay, then what is it? Wait... don't tell me! Do you miss certain someone else and the food that she made with love?" Jake smirked.
They better not be insinuating that I miss Bella!
"I don't know what you are talking about. I gotta go," I said and got out of the house for some fresh air.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw Bella crouched down in front of a bush. What is this crazy girl doing now?
The curiosity got the best of me, and I quietly stood behind her. "What are you doing?" I asked.
She gasped as she was startled by my voice and looked up. "N...nothing, I'm gonna go back inside," she stammered and started to walk away, but I grabbed her hand.
"What's in the bush?" I asked. I don't know why I cared about what she was doing, but I couldn't contain my curiosity.
"I thought I saw a lost kitten, so I wanted to take it inside. It's not safe out here," she said. "But it looks like it's gone, so I'll go now, bye."
"Wait..." I said hesitantly.
"What is it?" she asked, avoiding my eyes again.
"I'm sorry for being so harsh the other day. I just didn't know how to make you understand," I said.
"It's fine. I was wrong for bothering you. I shouldn't have done it. I mean...you are with Macie, so I was being stupid," she said. Her eyes were full of sadness.
Don't say anything else and walk away, Aaron, I told myself in my head.
"Macie and I aren't together anymore," I blurted out.
I thought I saw her eyes brighten for a moment, but it turned sad again.
"Oh," she said and pulled her hand out of mine. "I'm sure you will find someone else," she smiled and went inside her house.
I stood there for a moment. I didn't expect her to say that to me. I thought she would be happy that I was single and latch on to me again. Maybe she had matured? Or maybe I really hurt her feelings this time. Bad enough for her to give up on me for good.