S I X T Y - F O U R

JAMES.

I sit still on the bed with my bottom lip pulled between my teeth to hold back the strangled sounds that threaten to fall as I keep my eyes fixated on the floor.

I lift my head when I hear the sound of a door closing and Elizabeth is walking out of the bathroom. She doesn’t look my way as she strides to the small sofa right by the door to grab her bag. I watch her throw it over her head and cross it over her chest and my lips parts, hundreds of words wanting to leave my mouth. I have so much to tell her. So much to convince her of. I have so much to show her and let her know, but I can’t say the words. She’s made up her mind and I don’t think there’s changing it this time. She doesn’t want to be with me in any way anymore. Not as the one who has romantic feelings for me, nor as one who cares about me as a friend. She wants out of my life completely and the pain I feel from realizing that, from listening to her say those words—hurts more than anything I’ve ever known.

"I… um.