“I want to break up.‘
“Over a freakin‘ water bottle?“]
“Yeah.“]
You heard right. Just because Bryce Whitman gave his girl bestie one water bottle, I called it quits.[]
Bryce snorted: “Fine. Just drag it out for a few days this time so I can get some peace.“]
His buddy jumped in: “Easy on the mind games, dude. Your girl’s cute as hell–some guy’s gonna snatch her up.“[]
Bryce shrugged: “She’s just way too dramatic. Freaks out over nothing.“]
“Three days of silent treatment is her absolute MAX. Always does.“.
I’didn’t say a word.]]
11
Seven years of crushing on him, chasing him to the same university–basically my entire teenage years.]]
But here’s what he didn’t know:]
Trash boyfriend? Bye. Trash school? Also bye.[]
I’d already started the withdrawal process, applied to schools overseas. Soon as my documents came through, I was gone.[]
Bryce, I’m seriously done chasing you.]
-0
Right after our breakup, Bryce blocked me first.
His girl bestie River Caldwell called when I was still deleting photos.[]
My finger moved too fast–accidentally hit accept.]
On the video call, a whole group was packed into some private dining room, living it up.[]
“You sure Princess Maddison’s gonna come crawling back after you blocked her?“[]
“What if she’s actually done with you this time…“[]
Hearing his friend ask that, Bryce just laughed and took a swig of beer.[]
“You guys don’t get it. Maddie can’t live without me.”
fall
“Girl’s been clueless since day one. Her family had this whole study abroad thing set up, but she’d rather get stuck in some random major just to follow me here.“]
He said it with total confidence: “Three days of giving me the cold shoulder is literally her limit. After that, she’ll come running back like a lost puppy.”
River was sitting there in her crop top, draping herself all over his shoulders and hyping him up: “Damn, Bryce is such a player!”
The guys were cracking jokes:]]
“Easy on the torture, man. Your girl’s adorable, and it’s the start of school–some upperclassman’s definitely gonna make a
move.”
Bryce just smirked, totally unbothered:]]
“Perfect.”
“Let me get some peace. Once she realizes nobody’s better than me, maybe she’ll finally chill out.”
Another guy jumped in:
“Dude’s got balls. If I had a sweet little cupcake like that, I’d worship the ground she walks on.“]
“Blocking her? Never.“]
Hearing that, Bryce sighed for some reason.]
“I’m just annoyed, okay?“]
“Six days of orientation and she cried FOUR times. All because of River.”
“River’s having girl problems and feeling crappy, so I brought her one water bottle, and Maddie just loses it. Won’t listen to anything. Like, how dramatic can you get?”
River shrugged, playing the understanding card:]
31
“Whatever. If she doesn’t like me, I’ll just stay away from you. As long as you two stop fighting.”
“Don’t worry, bro. I won’t put you in an awkward spot.“]
A
The guys immediately backed her up:
“Maddison’s attitude is kinda extra.“]
“Probably just jealous? River’s got that tomboyish vibe, but her body and face are FIRE. Maddie’s cute and all, but cute doesn’t compete with sexy.”
Before River could say anything, Bryce frowned: “Don’t talk about her like that.”
“Maddie’s my girlfriend, River’s my bestie. They’re both important to me.“]
“I don’t actually wanna break up with Maddie. Just trying to humble her a little.“]
E
“Girl cries about everything. Even a saint would get fed up.”
He said it with total confidence: “Three days of giving me the cold shoulder is literally her limit. After that, she’ll come running back like a lost puppy.”
River was sitting there in her crop top, draping herself all over his shoulders and hyping him up: “Damn, Bryce is such a player!”
The guys were cracking jokes:[]
“Easy on the torture, man. Your girl’s adorable, and it’s the start of school–some upperclassman’s definitely gonna make a move.”
Bryce just smirked, totally unbothered:]
“Perfect.“]
“Let me get some peace. Once she realizes nobody’s better than me, maybe she’ll finally chill out.“]
Another guy jumped in:]
“Dude’s got balls. If I had a sweet little cupcake like that, I’d worship the ground she walks on.“]
“Blocking her? Never.“]
Hearing that, Bryce sighed for some reason.[]
“I’m just annoyed, okay?”
“Six days of orientation and she cried FOUR times. All because of River.“]]
“River’s having girl problems and feeling crappy, so I brought her one water bottle, and Maddie just loses it. Won’t listen to anything. Like, how dramatic can you get?“]
River shrugged, playing the understanding card:
“Whatever. If she doesn’t like me, I’ll just stay away from you. As long as you two stop fighting.”
“Don’t worry, bro. I won’t put you in an awkward spot.”
The guys immediately backed her up:
“Maddison’s attitude is kinda extra.“[]
P
“Probably just jealous? River’s got that tomboyish vibe, but her body and face are FIRE. Maddie’s cute and all, but cute doesn’t compete with sexy.”
Before River could say anything, Bryce frowned: “Don’t talk about her like that.“[]
“Maddie’s my girlfriend, River’s my bestie. They’re both important to me.“]
“I don’t actually wanna break up with Maddie. Just trying to humble her a little.“]
“Girl cries about everything. Even a saint would get fed up.”
…0
Couldn’t take any more, I quietly hung up.
My mood completely crashed.]]
Perfect timing–the little cake I ordered got delivered.[]
I sat there eating cake and crying at the same time.]]
H
Growing up with Bryce since we were kids, childhood sweethearts turning into high school romance–over a decade of history.
Being attached to him had basically become second nature.[]
But this time, I genuinely wanted it to END.]]
It’s not like he said… that I’d go running back to him.[]
Soon, Mom called.
“Maddie, honey, were you serious about dropping out to study abroad?“]
“Yeah, totally serious.“[]
Mom pressed: “What about Bryce? I thought you only wanted to go to school with him? Long distance is no joke–you sure about this?“]
Bad time to ask.
The question made my eyes well up again.]
I struggled to explain that we’d broken up, finally managed: “Sorry, Mom.“]]
“I just realized I can’t force myself to accept a school and major I hate just for Bryce.“]
“I wanna find my own path now.”
“Not just for some guy.”
After hearing me out, Mom sounded surprisingly relieved.]
“My little girl’s growing up,” she said.]
“I was gonna say whatever makes you happy, but looks like that Whitman boy doesn’t deserve you.”
“Classes abroad don’t start till next month, and your acceptance is still valid. Don’t worry, there’s time. I’ll rush your passport, sweetie.“]
I smiled through my tears: “Thanks, Mom.“]
After pulling myself together, I packed up everything Bryce had ever given me and headed downstairs to toss it all.]
(0)
Right as I walked out of the dorm, ran into Bryce dropping River off.
)(0)
***
