Chapter 16
After a long silence, he finally spoke. “I’m sorry.”
This time, he meant it.
I could see it in his eyes–he looked utterly defeated, as if all hope had drained from him.
I was caught off guard for a moment.
Honestly, I felt nothing. Ever since I realized how much I loved Ewing, I’d always been indecisive about my feelings. So I made a clean break, walked away, and stopped caring about the consequences long ago.
Everything Ewing did afterwards was just a way to strip away even the last ounce of dignity between us.
So now, I really didn’t need his apology–not even if he owed me one. I kept my voice neutral. “Why are you saying this?“%
Ewing clearly hadn’t expected me to be so cold. He started mumbling to himself, “After I got together with Magnolia, at first, I told myself it was payback, that I could do whatever I wanted. I played video games, watched TV, grabbed takeout, went out for burgers and fries. My appetite was the same, sometimes even bigger. I didn’t drown myself in booze or pine for you. I wore the same clothes, went about my routine. I ate, I worked, I slept–life went on as usual.“2
I couldn’t help laughing. “So what you’re saying is, you’ve been doing just fine. If I put it poetically: ‘Clouds drift by, laughter fills your eyes, you get tipsy just from the scent of fruit on the breeze.”
His eyes suddenly went red. “No, you don’t understand. Last weekend, Magnolia and I went shopping for some household stuff. I was carrying three heavy bags when it hit me–there used to be someone who’d always rush over to help, who couldn’t stand to see me struggle, who’d grab my arm and joke around, not caring what anyone thought. That girl is gone now. No matter how hard I tried to act nonchalant, my body remembered what it was like.”
He suddenly grabbed my hand. “Please, forgive me, okay?“}
The warmth of his palm was familiar–Ewing’s warmth.
There was a time when I would have done anything to feel that again, but not anymore.”
I immediately tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.
And then Melvin burst in. Taking in the scene, he blurted, “What’s this? You two getting back together?”
He looked a little embarrassed, realizing he’d interrupted something, and quickly turned to leave.
! seized the moment to wrench my hand free.}
Ewing looked like he wanted to chase after me. I cut him off. “Ewing, what I did just now was the least a friend could do. If you’d thrown that punch, someone could’ve gotten seriously hurt. So, don’t go thinking I still have feelings for you. Magnolia may have messed up half your life, but I can’t just stand by and watch you ruin the rest of it.“2
Ewing protested, “But you’re all I have left.”
I shook my head.”
“Do you know what’s hardest to find in this world? Reaching for the stars with bare hands, loving someone you can never have. Out of all the people in this world, it’s rare to meet someone like me. I never understood those words before, but now I do. You didn’t get me back then, and now you never will. That’s just how it’s meant to
be.”2
I watched as the light faded from Ewing’s eyes, leaving only a hollow sadness.}
I went on, “You’ve watched ‘Les Misérables, right? I don’t know what Magnolia’s really like, but you know me–I’m just like Éponine from the story. Éponine knew her soulmate was out there, but when she realized he was only seeking out someone else, she let him go.”
“You still have feelings for Magnolia. You were willing to hurt me for her. In that moment, I gave up too–not just on love, but on being friends at all.“@
“I never once looked back.”
Ewing was completely broken.
I stood up. For the last time, I said, “Tell Magnolia something for me. She claimed broken things can be made whole again, but I want her to know: even if you fix a shattered mirror, it’ll never be the same. The crack stays, making it even easier to break again.”
I walked out without a single glance behind me.
It was finally over.
When I got back to Melvin, his face was stone cold. He was clearly upset.
After he finished his work, he looked up at me. “Do you still have feelings for Ewing?”
“No,” I replied.
He scoffed. “Then why did you jump between them like that? Weren’t you afraid you’d get hurt?”
It struck me–was Melvin actually jealous?
When I didn’t answer, he started firing off questions. “Why do you still hang around him? Why did you let him touch you? Just because he was lied to? Have you forgotten how he betrayed you?”
I couldn’t think of a response. It was almost funny–this guy, usually so distant and untouchable, was acting totally unreasonable.
But somehow, I found it endearing. I decided to tease him. “Well, I don’t have a new boyfriend yet, do I?
That really set Melvin off. He jumped up, face flushed red, and spluttered, “You L
He sat back down, sulking ‘Forget it, Irene. You’re impossible.“%
He stormed out, muttering as he passed, “I’m not coming over tomorrow. We both need some space.“S
