No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The night breeze was gentle and cool.

Ernest's silhouette stretched long under the streetlight, so long it seemed he had grown taller since the last time we were together.

I stepped beside him, my shadow merging with his as if we were one.

This moment made my heart swell with a bittersweet ache.

It hurt so much I could barely breathe...

The pain made me think of his aloofness, and his impending marriage to the Clark family, which stung so badly I found myself defiantly asking, "What did you want to talk about, Ernest?" Ernest didn't look at me, just stared into the night, "Didn't you want to see Jefferson's game? It's next week. You could go; I'll buy you a plane ticket."

My heart clenched. What was this about seeing a game? It felt like he was just trying to get rid of me.

Now that he was getting married, was he afraid I'd ruin his prospects?

Ever since we parted ways, it felt like each time he hurt me, the wound was deeper than before.

I bit my lip. "Who said I wanted to go?"

I should have shouted that, but I just couldn't. My voice was weak, as if I had no strength at all.

lacked courage; I was just too heartbroken, so

I didn't want to cry in front of him. That

him to stay because I thought I was at

different. He wanted me gone, making room for another

If I cried now, it would

you there," Ernest said, his tone slightly

past, I might have thought he was

now, his words felt more

my throat was about to explode. I dug my nails into my palm

is a

int He should have

first place.

me. "You missed his last

for a moment,

he's planning

He won't participate in any more

me that if I missed this chance, I'd

understand, Jefferson's games weren't my