Unspoken End
Alex’s thoughts: I can’t believe it’s come to this. Two years, and now we’re here, where it all started. My heart feels heavy, like it’s sinking into the silence around us.
Jamie: "Hey, Alex."
Alex: "Hey."
Jamie: "Thanks for coming. I know this spot carries a lot of weight for us."
Alex: "Yeah, our first date. Feels like a lifetime ago."
Jamie: "And so many moments since then."
Alex’s thoughts: Their voice sounds strained. Or maybe I’m just hearing my own exhaustion echoed back.
Alex: "So, why’d you want to meet?"
Jamie: "I think we need to talk about us."
Alex: "I’ve been sensing it too. Things aren’t like they used to be."
Jamie: "No, they’re not. I’ve been pulling away, and I owe you an explanation."
Alex: "Is there someone else?"
Jamie: "What? No, Alex, it’s not that."
Alex: "Then what’s going on? You’re barely around anymore."
Jamie: "I’ve been dealing with something I didn’t want to drag you into."
Alex: "Drag me into? Jamie, what’s happening?"
Jamie: "My parents are splitting up. It’s been tearing me apart, and I didn’t know how to tell you."
Alex: "Your parents? Why keep that from me?"
Jamie: "You’ve been so wrapped up in your art. I didn’t want to pile more on your plate."
Alex: "My art matters, but you matter more. We’re supposed to lean on each other."
Jamie: "I thought I could handle it alone. But it’s changed me, and it’s changed us."
Alex’s thoughts: Alone? We’ve been together through so much. How did I miss this?
Alex: "So that’s why you’ve been staying late at work, shutting me out?"
Jamie: "Yes, but it’s more than that. Even before this, we’ve been drifting."
Alex: "Drifting? What do you mean?"
Jamie: "You’re pouring everything into your creativity, and I’m chasing my career. Our paths don’t align anymore."
Alex: "But that’s what makes us work—we balance each other."
Jamie: "Maybe once. Now it feels like we’re tugging in opposite directions."
Alex’s thoughts: Tugging apart. Have I been too caught up in my own world to see it?
Alex: "I’m sorry I didn’t notice you were hurting."
Jamie: "I hid it well. But we’ve both been distracted, and I think we need space."
Alex: "Space? You mean a break?"
Jamie: "No, Alex. I think we should end it."
Alex’s thoughts: End it. The words crash through me, leaving a hollow ache.
Alex: "Is that really what you want?"
Jamie: "It’s what I think we need. We’re not lifting each other up anymore."
Alex: "But I love you. Doesn’t that count?"
Jamie: "I love you too. But love can’t fix everything. We need to find ourselves again."
Alex’s thoughts: Find ourselves. Maybe I’ve lost who I am in all of this too.
Alex: "I’ve been leaning on us so much, maybe too much."
Jamie: "And I need to face my family mess without pulling you down with me."
Alex: "We could face it together."
Jamie: "I don’t think so. I need to do this on my own."
Waiter: "Excuse me, you two ready to order?"
Alex: "Not yet, thanks."
Jamie: "Maybe we should go somewhere else."
Alex: "No, let’s finish this here."
Jamie: "Okay."
Alex: "So, this is really it?"
Jamie: "For now, yes. I’ll start moving my stuff out tomorrow."
Alex: "Tomorrow? That’s fast."
Jamie: "Better to keep it clean and quick."
Alex: "Right."
Alex’s thoughts: Quick. Nothing about this feels quick—it’s agonizingly slow and final.
Jamie: "I’ll always care about you, Alex."
Alex: "Same here."
Jamie: "Goodbye, Alex."
Alex’s thoughts: I hear the chair shift, then the door swings shut. They’re gone.
Waiter: "Ready to order now?"
Alex: "Just a coffee to go, please."
Waiter: "Got it."
Alex’s thoughts: Time to walk away from this table, this moment. A new start waits out there, even if it stings now.
Alex’s thoughts: I’ll be okay. Someday
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