Chapter 24

"EDWARD! WAIT! EDWARD!" August screamed as he ran after him. Before August could even let the break up sink in, Edward had already left without a word, as if all this really didn't bother him one bit.

August stood rooted on his spot for a minute, unsure of what just happened. He expected Edward to react in many ways, like explaining things, apologizing, promising it won't ever happen again. If he just said one sorry, August would've happily forgiven it all, thinking of it as an act of impulse. Him spontaneously calling things off because of such a minor argument was the last thing he had in his mind.

Edward took no notice of his shouts, continuing to walk towards his car. Since it wasn't a major road, it was mostly empty except for an occasional car passing by. August was still at a distance when Edward got in, intending to drive away. He turned, going in the opposite direction to which August was running.

He knew he had to do something fast. If he lets Edward leave now...It's the end...NO! He couldn't let them end like this!

Without a regard for anything else, August threw himself in front of his car.

'Screech!'

Edward jammed the breaks, stopping right before it hit August. He stood in front of him, his red eyes and distraught expression clear in the headlights.

Edward got out. He yelled, "ARE YOU CRAZY?" He hurriedly came up to him and grabbed his shoulder. "ARE YOU EVEN IN YOUR RIGHT MIND? WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

"...You were going to leave," August tilted his head, smiling ruefully, "-And I had to stop you, whatever it took."

"Even your own life?!"

August didn't hesitate. "Yes. My life is nothing without you, Edward, and you know it."

Edward wanted to stop himself, but couldn't. He found himself checking the black haired boy from head to toe, even asking, "Are you injured? What if something happened to you?"

Instead of replying, August laughed, "Edward...You still care so much and say you don't love me anymore? You're such a terrible liar."

"...No," His statement brought Edward back to reality, reminding him it wasn't like before. His words made him remember what he came to do. "No, I don't care about you. I don't love you anymore, August. We've broken up."

"When?" August shivered, "Just- Just when did we break up, Edward? A breakup is when both sides don't wish to continue, right? But I still love you, and I know you do too."

"Did you forget what you just saw?" He trembled, "I don't love you anymore. You yourself saw it."

"But-"

He cut him off, "No buts. Since I'm tired of you, we're breaking up. Simple as that."

"Y-You...You don't care about me?"

"...No," He didn't dare face him as he squeezed out, "No, I don't care about you at all."

"Then," His voice cracked, "Why did you save me, huh? Why did you stop just now?"

"I..." It broke his heart to say the following words, but he still continued, "I just don't want you dying on me. That's all. Please don't misunderstand simple human decency as affection."

August wasn't fooled by his attempt to act indifferent. He cried, "Just, why?! Why are you trying so hard to end things with me?"

Edward sighed, "I already told you, I love her-"

"No you don't. Edward, there is no way you could ever fall for somebody so fast. I know you that much."

"I really-"

"Till when are you going to lie, Edward? Please don't try to make me go away with this lame excuse of falling for someone else. If you really want to end things..." Unlike always, August didn't sniffle. There was a certain determination on his face, a certain firmness which made him look strong even with tears streaming down his face. For once, he wasn't pleading or begging, but asking for something he deserves to know.

He didn't even stutter as he continued, "Tell me why you want to end things. The real reason, please."

"...You want to know the real reason?" Edward knew insisting he found someone else isn't going to work. Hardening his heart, he used his last resort, "I was tired of you, okay? Tired of carrying your emotional baggage, tired of caring for you. Sure, I do care about you," He smiled with an empty look in his eyes, "But I wish I didn't."

Without waiting for a response, he continued to hurt him brutally. "You're hurt, right? Did it ever occur to you that I'm hurting too, huh? It's not easy to be with a crazy person who threatens to take his life over little things, okay?"

"I-" He weakly tried to defend himself, but Edward cut him off, "Don't say anything. The proof is right here. Didn't you jump in front of my car? What sort of sane and normal person would do that over something trivial?"

Head hung low, he uttered, "...Something trivial? That's what I am to you? That's what 'we' are to you?"