10 Chapter 10: Exes and Breakups

We finished eating and I suddenly felt uncomfortable spending time with them. It feels like everything is awkward beyond this point. Finding out that Oliver and Christine used to be lovers and now their exes, made me think deeply. I don’t understand that if the two of them broke up, how come it looks like that they still have feelings for one another. I knew something’s wrong when Christine arrived. If I bring this up while Oliver and I are hanging out, I don’t know what will happen between the two of us. I feel like problems will arise between the two of us. We were about to leave when Stephanie said she will walk to her place since it’s just a few blocks away. We said goodbye to one another and Stephanie hugged me as she left.

Oliver said I should seat in front this time and Christine will sit at the back. Christine agreed and we went inside the car. While we were on the road, it feels kind of awkward and different between the three of us. I tried to hold Oliver’s hand, yet he avoids it every time I try. I’m starting to feel like the two of us are starting to fall apart. Christine said that she needs to go down to the next bus stop since it’s near her place. We stopped at the next bus stop and said our goodbyes to Christine, and she didn’t even say goodbye to me. I was nice to her the whole day and she acts like I’m not there.

Once we were on the road, Oliver is not holding my hand and he’s not speaking to me. I asked him if he has any problems.

Freddie: Oliver, is there anything wrong?

Oliver: No.

Freddie: How come you were acting strange earlier?

Oliver: I wasn’t.

Freddie: I’ve been wanting to hold your hand ever since I sat in front and all you did was avoid my hand. Now that Christine isn’t here, you’re acting like I’m not even here.

Oliver: Look, I’m sorry. I don’t want Christine to find about us.

Freddie: Why? Because you think, you’ll hurt her feelings?

Oliver: Of course.

Freddie: How about me? Haven’t you hurt me earlier?

Oliver: What do you mean I’d hurt you?

Freddie: You were holding hands with Christine earlier and when I tried to hold your hand, you’ve been avoiding it. Now that it’s just the two of us, you’re acting like I’m not even here.

Oliver: Here we go again with me acting all alone in the car. Of course, I know you’re here.

Freddie: You didn’t even ask for forgiveness or did anything after Christine left.

Oliver: Don’t bring Christine up with your problems with me.

Freddie: And now you’re starting to defend her. Ever since she came here, all you ever think that everything she does with you is fine. Did you ever think how would that affect us? Affect me?

Oliver: I already told you, don’t bring her up into your problems.

Freddie: Why can’t I?

Oliver: You’re just jealous.

Freddie: I’m not jealous. The way you two act, was like you got back together after breaking up.

Oliver: Me, broke up with Christine. I was never in a relationship with her.

Freddie: Stephanie told me about you two.

Oliver: Fine, we did break up.

Freddie: Then how come your acting different, even if it’s just the two of us? Do you still have feelings for her?

Oliver: No. I don’t have any feelings for her. We’re just good friends, any problems about that?

Freddie: Then why act like the two of you are together again all day?

Oliver: What are you talking about?

Freddie: Don’t act like you don’t know.

Oliver suddenly stops his car and tells me to get out of his car. I went out, slammed the door out of frustration, and walked home while Olive stays in the same spot where he asked me to get out. I stopped for a while, looked behind to see if Oliver isn’t around before I continue to walk home. I didn’t stop thinking about our argument earlier while I was walking home. I was filled with frustration and disappointment. Not only he avoids holding hands with me but he also avoids every question involving Christine. And everything that Christine did today seems that it was fine with him. Oliver even told me twice that I was jealous, even though I’m not. I just don’t want bad things to happen between the two of us.

Later that night, I was getting ready for bed. By the time I turned off the lights and lied down on my bed. I was still thinking about what happened today, and every time I think differently between Oliver and Christine, the fact they’re just friends doesn’t come to my mind, not even once. By the time I fell asleep, Oliver suddenly calls me. I turned on the lamp beside my bed and answered the call.

Freddie: Why are you calling me this late?

Oliver: I just wanted to tell you that I was thinking…

Freddie: It’s a good thing you were.

Oliver: Just let me finish talking, please.

Freddie: Fine.

Oliver: I know you’re still mad at me after earlier and…

Freddie: And what Oliver?

Oliver: Maybe I should tell you about this.

Freddie: Tell me about what?

Oliver: You were right that Christine and I broke up.

Freddie: I already know about that. Just tell me what you want to tell me.

Oliver: I’m sorry…

Freddie: Sorry for what?

Oliver: For keeping it a secret between the two of us.

Freddie: Even if you tried to keep it a secret, I still found out that you two had a history together.

Oliver: No, this is different. I don’t want to tell you about it, because I don’t want to hurt your feelings more.

Freddie: Just spit it out, Oliver!

Oliver: We kissed earlier during lunch.

I felt even more hurt after hearing that. Maybe that’s the reason why Stephanie distracted me earlier at lunch. She didn’t want me to see that the two of them kissed. I was on the edge of crying, knowing this was too much for me.

Freddie: Oliver, I want you to tell me right now. Who do you choose? Me or Christine?

Oliver: Freddie, I…

Freddie: Just answer the question.

Oliver: Freddie, look I’m sorry about what I did earlier.

Freddie: Now you’re telling me you’re sorry even though you could have told me that in the first place.

Oliver: My mind is a mess right now, okay. I can’t think straight after what happened today.

Freddie: Maybe it’s for the best that we should stop this.

Oliver: Stop what? Our Conversation?

Freddie: Our relationship. I know you’re hearing me crying right now, but I just can’t…

Oliver: So, you want to break?

Freddie: You know I love you so much and you’re a great guy. And…

Oliver: And what?

Freddie: I think we should break up.

I ended the call, turned my phone off, and started crying with my face on my pillow.