I was sitting on my bed next to my friend Aria while she was questioning me about something I wasn’t really paying attention to, I was staring at my phone screen when I suddenly got a text from my boyfriend. I quickly opened it to read what the text says.
The text reads, "I can’t do this anymore. I suggest we take a break and think about if this relationship is making us happy. Let’s just break up. I’m sorry. We can still be friends though". I stared at my phone, my heart sinking like a stone in the ocean. The text from max glared at me, its words slicing through my soul. I felt a chill run down my spine. "After everything you’ve done, you think a simple text will suffice?" I whispered to myself.
I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself before responding. I didn’t want to lash out at him, but I couldn’t help but feel hurt and betrayed.
I typed: "I can’t believe you’re doing this now. We just talked things through, and now you are leaving me?"
I stared at the message for a moment, waiting for his response. The seconds ticked by, but there was no reply. I felt a mix of impatience and anxiety as I wondered what he was going to say.
Finally, my phone buzzed as a new message appeared on the screen:
"I know we just talked, but still feel like this is the right thing to do. I just don’t think we are meant to be together".
I read his message and felt a wave of anger wash over me. How could he be so calm after dropping this bomb on me?
I clenched my phone tightly as I typed out my reply. "You’re not even going to try and fight for us?"
"I’m sorry. I know it’s not fair to you, but I just can’t do this anymore." He replied
Really, he is sorry. I took a deep breath before responding. "You’re right, it’s not fair. I gave you a second chance after you cheated, and this is how you repay me? Through a text message? That’s disrespectful and heartless."
My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment, a mix of emotions coursing through me. But then I knew what I had to do.
"You know what? Forget it. I’m the one breaking up with you. I don’t want to be with someone who can just walk away from our relationship like it means nothing. I deserve better than this."
I hit on the send message and then blocked him before I could second guess myself.
"Izzy." Aria’s loud voice broke the bubble I was in as she shook me.
I blinked, startled back to reality. Aria, a whirlwind of vibrant energy in her comfy cloth and her hair in a neat bun, beamed down at me. My reflection in Aria’s perfectly applied eyeliner showed a pale, tear-streaked face. The remnants of Max’s cruel text message still burned in my mind.
"What’s wrong, you seem to be lost in another universe". Aria’s concerned voice hit my ears.
I turned to her, my phone slipping from my hands as the tears I didn’t know where on my eyes fell like an unexpected rain. "h..he..broke up wi....with me....". I stuttered, my voice cracking.
"He did what?!" Aria exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. She snatched my phone, scanning the messages with a furious frown. "The nerve of that guy! After everything you’ve been through..." She trailed off, her expression softening as she saw my trembling hands.
"Oh Isabell, I’m so sorry". Aria said in an undertone.
"I... I did everything I... I could to make him happy, but it was never..... enough. He didn’t care about my feelings even after admitting he... he cheated on me with his cousin". I whispered as I find it hard to speak. My words choking me.
Aria’s expression turned fiery. "That disgusting liar".
Aria wrapped me in a warm hug. "I am here for you, lay. You deserve so much better".
*****
I sat on the bed feeling lost and confused while Aria came in with two cups of hot chocolate, and gave me one
"Here, I made this one especially for you. I thought this might help cheer you up."
I took the cup from her and smiled, "Thanks girl. You’re the best friend ever."
She smiled back and sat in-front of me while she hands me a tissue.
Aria gently took my hands in hers. "you will get dressed," she commanded, her voice surprisingly firm. "We’re going out. No more moping around in pajamas. We’re going to have a fantastic Sunday. Forget him. He doesn’t deserve your tears."
I blinked, snapping out of my daze as Aria’s face came into focus. Her brows were furrowed in concern, but her lips were pursed in determination.
"Izzy, you are not going to sit here and mope all day," she declared, hands on her hips. "Get up."
I opened my mouth to argue, but she wasn’t having it. She grabbed my phone and tossed it onto the bed. "No more staring at that screen like it’s going to give you closure. You’re done crying over that loser.
"I wasn’t crying," I muttered, but my voice wavered slightly.
She gave me a look. "Of course, I will let you believe that."
Before I could protest, she yanked me off the bed and marched me toward my closet. "We’re going out."
I groaned. "Arii, I really don’t feel like—"
"Not up for debate." She started flipping through my clothes like she was shopping for a runway show. "We are going to get you dressed, do your makeup, and remind you that you are that girl."
I sighed. "Can’t I at least have a few hours to process—"
"No." She spun around, holding up a cute black mini dress. "You can process while looking hot."
I opened my mouth, but she held up a finger. "No excuses. You’re getting out of this room if I have to drag you out myself."
I stared at her, torn between resisting and just giving in. But the determination in her eyes told me that resistance was useless.
I exhaled. "Fine."
Her face lit up. "Good! Now, sit. I’m about to make you look irresistible."
A small part of me still ached from Max’s betrayal, but as Aria worked her magic, I realized something—maybe a night out with my best friend was exactly what I needed.