Shiver

She didn't know how to end it. She made a big mistake when she slept with him on Valentine's Day. She knew it was cruel to lead him on when she already made a decision in her heart. So the next day, she told him that she was having second thoughts about their relationship.

He didn't take it lightly. His jaw was still soar from her smack the night before, and now another slap on his ego. "I don't know what's gotten into you ... one minute you were fine and happy, the next you just went ice cold and distant ... and now this?" he was pacing back and forth on the porch. "I know I should've come more frequently so we can spend time more often, but school is ... very demanding right now ... and I ..." he was cut off.

"No, that's not it, Landon," she denied it.

"But if we're together more often than you'll have a sense of relationship like most couples do ... we're so distant from each other that made us less intimate, I think we need that, and we'll have that soon ... in a few months we'll be together in Gastonburry," he argued.

Charlene put her hands on her head, he was much smarter than that. "I don't feel the same way you do, Landon, that's the problem," she finally said it. He stopped his pace.

"What??" it was something he couldn't fathom. "You didn't feel the same way yet you slept with me on Valentine's day?" he made it sound like she initiated it. "Where does all this come from?" he was frustrated.

"Can we not make a big deal out of it? I mean, we practically had one date ... and then we slept together ... it was confusing for me, now I realize that I care about you deeply ... as a friend, I don't think I can have a romantic relationship with you," she tried to break it gently.

He looked at her with fiery eyes, "Not a big deal??" he grabbed her by the wrist. "Do you know how much time I've invested in you? Do you??" he screamed at her face.She was stunned speechless.

Her muscles tightened when he grabbed the side of her arm with another hand. "You made me come all the way here, drove hours after hours, lead me to think that this can be more than just friends! Don't deny it!!" She knew she played a big part in that, but she was too shocked to say anything.

"All those conversations! All those kisses?? You let me think that there was more! You fucking slut! And now you're telling me this bullshit?" he was in rage and was far removed from his usual self. She was too tense to realize that his grip was actually hurting her.

She was crouching, too afraid to look him in the eyes. She even held her breath until he finally let her go and went to his car and drove away.

She was relieved that he left and the conversation was over. She never experienced anything like that before. She was sure now more than ever, it was the right decision to cut the ties with Landon, even though he was not accepting it. She didn't tell her mom about the incident, she didn't want to worry her. It was over for her.

**********

She stayed in her room that day just looking out the window. As the day turned to dusk, the sky went dark. She didn't want to do anything, lost her appetite. She wasn't crying, there was an emptiness inside her that was silent but loud at the same time.

It was over with Landon, at least for her. Funny how things changed in a blink of an eye with just one decision. She was also without Tommy. She hadn't really forgotten him, nor would she be able to. It was what Landon was all about, someone to help her forget. And now everything falls apart.

She had been avoiding him since he came back, maybe it was her way denying that it was over between them too. She realized she needed closure before they both go their separate ways. They both needed to move on with their lives peacefully.