SAM POV
I was not in the mood throughout our outing. I realize that my heart wasn't truly in it. Despite plastering a smile on my face, it felt as though I was going through the motions, each expression forced and devoid of genuine emotion. And he, perceptive as ever, could undoubtedly sense the disconnect, yet chose to remain silent.
It feels strange to deal with a breakup. As we move through the tough times of splitting up, there’s still a weird longing, a quiet wish that things could go back to how they were before, without the hurt. Maybe it’s hope that keeps us holding on, wishing it was all just a bad dream, and that every new day will bring him back to me.
I guess this is how it is when you've loved someone, right? Even if you've already broken up and you want to forget them, you can't easily do it because it's like you're still hoping that they didn't do what they did, that it was all just a dream and you want to wake up. The memories we shared together were so vivid in my mind, like snapshots of happiness that I desperately clung onto. But deep down, I knew that it was time to let go.
We used to be so close, always laughing and having fun together. We made so many memories, from talking late into the night to going on unplanned trips. It felt like nothing could break us apart. But over time, we started to drift, and the strong love we had started to fade.
Breaking up was bound to happen, but it still surprised me a lot. I kept thinking about what went wrong, wondering if I could have done something different. But the truth is, it takes two people to make a relationship work, and sometimes, even when you try your best, things just end.
I can't blame myself either. He was my first love, and we shared so many good times that now I have to try and forget because it's over. Letting go of something that was once so beautiful is really hard. The pain of losing him was huge, and it felt like a part of me was gone.
Kent looked at me, worried but careful. "Sam, I know I'm probably the last person you want to talk about deep stuff with right now, but keeping what's hurting you inside won't help. You know you can tell me anything, right? Please don't push me away. It's hard to see you so upset."
Kent looked at me, worried but careful. "Sam, I know I'm probably the last person you want to talk about deep stuff with right now, but keeping what's hurting you inside won't help. You know you can tell me anything, right? Please don't push me away. It's hurt to see like this."
As Kent and I sat on a quiet bench, away from the happy families and playful children at the zoo, our calm spot stood out against the chaos inside me. He had brought me here hoping that seeing the animals might distract me from my sadness. But as we watched two zebras eating, their stripes started to mix into a gray blur, just like my mixed-up feelings.
I shifted uneasily, not looking at him. "It's really nothing, just the usual tiredness, you know? Maybe I just need a good night's sleep."
But Kent wasn't convinced. He frowned and leaned in closer, speaking softly but firmly. "Sam, come on. We've been friends since we were kids playing in puddles. You can't even look at me right now. I know something’s wrong. And I think it’s about someone. Who is he?"
"Yeah, you really do know me," I whispered, my voice choked with tears, "but everyone changes, you know, and that includes having to hide things for your own sake."
Why are you crying?" Kent's voice was soft, encouraging me to face the pain I had been hiding for so long.
"Huh?" I whispered, my fingers automatically wiping away the tears. How hadn't I noticed them until now? Had I gotten so good at hiding my feelings that I couldn't even recognize them anymore? "It's nothing," I mumbled, my words muffled against his shoulder, "why are you being so persistent?"
Kent's hugged me tightly, holding me close as if to shield me from the world's judgment. But then, I didn't care about people's looks or whispers. All that mattered was the weight in my chest, the secrets I couldn't bear by myself anymore.
buried my face against Kent's shoulder, my crying mixing with the steady beat of his heart. Each tear that fell was a relief, a small win against the troubles that troubled me.
"Damn you, Xander," I muttered, my voice barely heard over the storm of feelings inside me. " You fucking piece of shit!."
I didn't know how many minutes we were in that position until I felt my cellphone vibrating in my pocket, prompting me to break away from our embrace and wipe away my tears as I checked who messaged me.
Unknown number.
A new number, who could this be? Won't these scammers ever leave me alone? They keep texting and texting! But despite that, I still tapped on the message to read its content, and it almost made my hair stand on end out of shock.
"Why are you crying?"
The words sent a shiver down my spine, stopping me as I read them again and again, trying to understand the scary message. How did someone know I was crying? Was this a mean joke, or was someone watching me?
Before I could even think about the first message, another one came, each word sounding mean and threatening.
"If you want your guy safe against me then stay away from him. Now, or else... I will fvcking kill him for touching my property."
I felt frozen with fear as the seriousness of the threat hit me hard. I got goosebumps and felt sick to my stomach as I understood how serious it was.
Kent.
The sender was talking about Kent.
I felt panicked, like I couldn't breathe, as I tried to understand what was happening. Who would want to harm Kent, and why? And how did they know about us?
I looked around the busy street, my heart pounding, searching for danger. But everything seemed normal, just the busy city life, unaware of the danger around us.
My thoughts raced, each possibility scarier than the last. Was it someone from Kent's past, wanting payback for something forgotten? Or was it something worse, a mysterious person hiding, waiting to attack?
I chewed my lip, torn between protecting Kent and being scared of what might happen if I did. But I knew I couldn't do anything while Xander was in danger.
Who is this person really...?