By admin Midnight Call Ch 9
Later I forced myself to socialize, travel, join all kinds of activities, meet all kinds of people.
Just when I thought I was almost over it, Mrs. Kingsley called me.
“Willa, I didn’t want to bother you, but I can’t stand seeing River like this. I can tell he regrets it–regrets not keeping you by his side, regrets not bringing you back from abroad, and regrets even more…”
“He hasn’t been to the hospital to work in ages. We can’t find him anywhere. Willa, if he comes to you, could you please let me know?”
After hanging up, I looked at River in front of me and sighed heavily.
I’d thought love would make him glow with happiness, but instead he looked more run–down than I’d ever seen him.
Hair messy, unshaven beard.
His clothes looked like he hadn’t changed them in days–completely different from his usual image.
H
He spoke, his voice extremely hoarse. “Willa, I’ve been here for days. You’ve been alone this whole time. You don’t really have a boyfriend, do you? You were lying to me before, weren’t you?”
I admitted, “So what if I was?”
He suddenly smiled bitterly. “Heartless as always.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to study with you.”
“River, are you fucking crazy?”
“No, Willa! I’m not crazy. Trust me–even here, I can do well.”
“Why?”
“Willa, let’s get back together. Just like before.”
I was quiet for a moment, then asked, “River, did you sleep with her?”
The air went completely silent. Only the sound of breathing back and forth.
After a long time, River nodded.
Getting that confirmation felt like ten thousand needles stabbing my heart.
It hurt so much I felt dizzy.
But I pretended to be calm. “Then what makes you think I’d want some used goods? River, I’ll admit you’re great, but I don’t need you to survive.”
“Willa, I can explain…”
“Explain what? That you were drunk? That you were horny? That you mistook her for me? River, none of that changes the fact that you slept with her. You should know that after you did that, we could never work again.”
“Willa, does it have to be this way?”
AL
05.24
“What is this now? Did you get with her and realize she wasn’t as great as you imagined? Or did you get what you wanted and start missing the girl who used to worship you like a simp?”
“Willa, don’t talk about yourself like that.”
“Isn’t that what I was?” I suddenly lost control, my voice shaking as I yelled. “River, you’ve been proud your whole life, and I’ve been insecure my whole life. But someone like me fell for you so hard I couldn’t help myself!”
“You know why I was always the one apologizing after fights?”
“First, because I loved you. I was willing to.”
“Second, because I was insecure. I knew all the girls chasing you were amazing, and I was scared of really losing you.”
“Third, because you never made me feel secure. You always made me think that no matter how hard I tried, I still couldn’t hold onto you.”
“I was so exhausted living like that all these years. But thank God–I don’t love you anymore.”
River covered his face, already sobbing uncontrollably.
I’d never seen him so broken.
But I wouldn’t soften again.
River was like a drug–one taste and you’re addicted.
And I’d finally managed to quit.