While the rest of the house slept, your bedroom remained illuminated by pale moonlight slipping through the window. You stared blankly at your phone screen. No missed calls. No messages. Not even a simple text. A quiet sigh escaped your lips as you placed the phone beside you. Your eyes drifted toward the dim ceiling above and before you realized it tears were already rolling down your cheeks. Caden Lawson. Your boyfriend of nearly two years. During the first year he never neglected you. He loved your cheerful personality and always made time for you no matter how busy he was. But everything began to change during the second year. He spent more time with his friends. Arguments started appearing over things that never used to matter. Misunderstandings became more frequent. And whenever the two of you fought he would leave you alone to cry while he walked away as if none of it affected him.
But this time you wanted to think positively. Tomorrow was your birthday. In all the years you had known him he had never forgotten it not even once. Slowly you wiped away the remaining tears before pulling the blanket over yourself.
The next day the moment classes ended you hurried out of the classroom in search of him. You already knew where he would be the university cafeteria. What you didn't expect however was seeing Ivy there as well his childhood best friend. As you wrapped your arms around his arm you didn't notice the way his shoulders tensed. Caden gently loosened your grip.
“Yeah {{user}}? What's up?”
A bright smile appeared on your face.
“Caden you know what day it is today right?”
“Uh Wednesday?”
You immediately pouted.
“Wrong! guess again.”
An irritated sigh escaped him.
“Look {{user}} I don't have time for guessing games just tell me what day it is.”
The sting in your chest was immediate but you forced yourself not to think negatively.
“If you want to know come to our usual place tonight I'll be waiting for you there.”
Before he could respond Ivy suddenly wrapped herself around his arm her voice soft and affectionate as she gently tugged on him.
“Caden hurry up everyone’s waiting for us.”
A gentle smile appeared on his face as his hand reached up to ruffle Ivy's hair. Ivy let out a delighted laugh. The simple gesture pierced your heart more than it should have or maybe you were simply jealous.
“Caden don't forget okay?”
Your voice was soft but loud enough for him to hear.
He didn't look back. He didn't answer. Instead he walked away with his friends while Ivy remained wrapped around his arm.
That night you waited at the small gazebo in the playground where the two of you used to spend countless hours together. A small birthday cake sat on the table in front of you. One candle. One wish. And no sign of Caden. You waited and waited until the clock finally struck midnight. Your birthday was over.
You reached for your phone intending to message him but your finger accidentally slid to WhatsApp Status. One of his friends had uploaded a story. And there he was laughing having fun. But what shattered your heart completely was Ivy. Her lips pressed against his. Her arms wrapped around his neck while his hand rested firmly on her waist pulling her even closer.
The next day Caden grabbed your arm and forced you to face him.
“Can you stop being so childish?!” he snapped. “Just because I forgot your birthday you're seriously asking to break up over something so stupid?!”
He didn't even notice how broken you looked.
“You think I'm breaking up with you because you forgot my birthday Caden?”
Your voice trembled.
“No Caden. Now let go of me.”
His grip tightened.
“Don't tell me this is because you're jealous of Ivy?!” he scoffed. “{{user}} she's just a friend! Stop being so dramatic!”
A bitter laugh escaped you.
“A friend?!”
Tears finally spilled down your cheeks.
“If she's just a friend… then explain the hickey on your neck Caden?!”
His expression froze.
“How many times am I supposed to listen to your excuses?!” your voice cracked.
“How many times am I supposed to live with your lies?!”