Marissa

The wedding was over and our time off from school ended in a flash.

I was back on campus starting a new semester. I was almost finished with my project for the competition and everything was running smoothly it almost felt too good to be true.

I received an odd text from Jeremy's father asking me to meet him for lunch.

Mr. Manning and I barely conversed so I was very nervous for our encounter.

He stood to greet me and I sat down across from him in the little coffee shop near campus.

The waiter came over to us and took our orders before moving off to retrieve them.

He eyed my every movement.

"Is there a reason for this meet up?"

"We have a lot to discuss, but I'd like to do so while we have lunch," he answered.

"Okay," I agreed eyeing him warily.

My stomach was in knots as I took small nibbles of my sandwich.

"I know about you and my son," he began.

I finally tore my disinterested eyes away from my sandwich to look up at his cold grey ones.

He looked so much like Jeremy.

"What?"

"I know you're sleeping with my son. I saw you two at the wedding kissing on the beach. I need you to end whatever the hell you two are doing."

I pushed my plate away and folded my hands on the table, a nervous habit I couldn't break.

"We're grown, you can't tell us what to do."

He inhaled and exhaled as if he's annoyed, "Actually I can and if you care about him you'll do exactly as I say."

I laughed in disbelief, "I'm leaving Mr. Manning, have a good day."

I stood up and as soon as I did his threats started stumbling from his lips.

"I'm going to cut Jeremy off. Allowance, paying his tuition, I'll take away his cars and stop paying for his sports gears. Is that what you want?"

He was guilt tripping.

"You wouldn't do that."

"I would."

I thought quickly, searching my mind for solutions.

If he were to apply for financial aid they would never grant it because his parents are wealthy, if he were to get a job then between his job and football he would never have time for me. If he were to quit sports and focus solely on school, he'd still be unhappy because he loves football more than the air he breathes.

My face must've expressed my defeat because he smirked at my hesitation.

"You went through every possible option in your head and with each one you realize that it's best you comply."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because my son is a star and he needs to be focused on his dreams. You're a distraction, that's what you've always been to him. There will never be a future for you two."

I'm overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions. The knot in my throat is tightening and I can feel the hot tears stinging the back of my eyes.

"You're a terrible person."

"Glad we have an understanding Ms. Virgo. Get it done."

He stood up from his chair and dropped two twenty dollar bills on the table before leaving.

I've never hated my life more than I do now.

~~

I ignored Jeremy's calls and texts trying to buy myself as much time as possible before I had to tell him that we were done.

I was in my apartment making something to eat before my first class at one.

I heard the jingle of keys so I knew it was my brother who was coming in.

I heard when the door closed.

"Hey Marcus, do you want me to fix you a plate?" I asked while turned to the stove.

"No, thank you though."

I spun around quickly when I realized it was Jeremy who spoke. He stood in the doorway of the kitchen giving me a disapproving look.

I sighed, "What are you doing here?"

"Your brother asked me to pick something up for him. Can you imagine how I jumped at the chance to come here just so I can see my girl who's been avoiding me for two days now?"

"What the fuck is going on Marissa?"

I turned the stove off on the food. I'm not even hungry anymore.

"Can I get some answers please?" He pushed away from the wall and took away some of the distance I kept between us.

"I can't do this anymore. I think we're so busy we can't fit a relationship into our schedule."

He looked puzzled, "We already know that. That's why we agreed to not label it until after everything settles down. You've gotta tell me something else to get rid of me love, because I can see it in your eyes that you don't mean this shit."

I shook my head, this is harder than I imagined.

"I'm in love with someone else," I uttered in a low pitch.

It seemed like the air was knocked out of him. He sucked in his cheeks looking elsewhere, everywhere but me.

He laughed but there was nothing joyous about it.

"Okay, humor me. You're in love with someone else, who is it?"

"It doesn't matter Jeremy. We're over."

His jaw clenched and he looked down breathing slowly and deeply.

He laughs again more like a single huff but I can see that it's just a mechanism that he's using to keep his composure.

"Okay cool. Something's not fucking right, but if you want this to be over then I won't be the one holding on."

"You know, when we were younger we never got the chance to be together, you were the one that got away, and now when we're older you fall in love with someone else. I don't know maybe this isn't meant to be."

The tears were going to fall any minute now but I held it together.

He kissed my forehead, "I'm just going to grab what I came for and go. I'll see you around mama."

As soon as I heard the door close, I slid down to the floor and silently cried to myself.

I hated his dad so much for doing this to me and for doing this to us.

I just want the best for him and I couldn't let his dad cut him off knowing there were just two semesters left for him to graduate.

Plus, he's now at the quarter finals of the regional football tournament and I would love for him to see it through.

So if that meant sacrificing my happiness for the greater good then so be it.

All I know is that I have to keep up this façade up for as long as I possibly can because Jeremy already doesn't believe that I've moved on.

________________________________________