“I’m breaking up with you,” I told my boyfriend. He did not react until after what seemed like an eternity.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” he asked, blinking, and obviously in awe.
The both of us stood in front of his dormitory window. I looked through the glass and saw college students in the field, playing around and enjoying the warm spring day. Shifting my eyes back to him, I shrugged. He was insanely good-looking, blessed with god-like genes and multiple talents. I was a plain-Jane, and had no idea why someone like him would waste his time with someone like me. Cliche as it sounded, it was the truth. He had the world, and he should take it—my main reason for ending our long-term relationship.
That, and there was someone else.
“I found someone,” I uttered. “I’m in love.”
He sighed and took my hands, pleading while he looked directly at my eyes. “Yeah, and that someone’s me, right? Please tell me that.”
I was completely aware that I was breaking his heart. I knew how much he loved me. Call me an icy bitch, but I had to do it.
“Is it because I’m so far away? Do you want me to move to a nearer college? Because y’know, I could totally do that if that’s what you want. Remember—,” I paused him suddenly.
“No, I don’t want you nearer. I just don’t want you anymore. I want someone else.”
Soon, tears began swelling from his eyes. “After we worked so hard on this relationship to work…”
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry. I really am, but this boy…he makes me feel so wonderful, and yeah, I guess it helps that I see him everyday. He’s like my best friend, you know. While you went off to college, he took care of me so much. I was a mess when you left, but I didn’t want you to see that. Even though I tried acting fine around him, he could still see through me. He loves me. He knows me. He knows…”
It killed me to finish my sentence, because it would stab him.
“He knows me more than you do.”
The look on his face was devastating. I soon found myself crying as well.
“I—I love you, too,” he started, voice shaky and stuttering. “And no one can know you more than me. I’m your boyfriend.”
He took a step forward and cradled me in his arms.
“Ex-boyfriend,” I whispered.
And with that, our three-year relationship ended.
***********
The drive from his college to my house was long and hard. It started drizzling while I was nearing the city, and I hoped there’d still be time for me to talk to Jesse. Knowing him, there usually always was, no matter how late in the night it’d be.
“Mom, dad, I’m home,” I announced, trudging my boots on the welcome mat. I guess I was home alone again.
“Well, it’s about time,” Jesse popped his head out of the kitchen.
Or not.
He swept me off my feet like I was weightless, and sat me down on the counter, giving me a long and passionate kiss on my lips.
“Someone’s happy,” I exhaled, dizzy from the kiss. He looked at my face with a hint of satisfaction and arrogance written all over him. I gawked right back at him. We looked alike, Jesse and I. People would always muse at that fact whenever we’d walk side by side, except he’d be the one with that bad boy aura, while I had the invisible halo floating above my head.
“How could I not be happy? You’re mine now. All mine,” he smirked, playing with a lock of my hair.
I bit my lip. “It’s kind of mean for me to say this, but I was getting kind of sick of him anyway. He was always, always better than me, and I’d always be the inferior one in the relationship.”
“Are you kidding? You’re beautiful. That guy’s just all for show.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Unlike my ex, Jesse made me feel beautiful, indeed.
A chime sounded from the microwave.
“Ah, I ordered pizza, by the way, but then you took long and it got cold,” he chuckled.
“That’s fine. I’d eat anything right now.”
He took two plates of pizza and placed it on the table. I bit a whole chunk of the slice, the cheese oozing down to my chin. Jesse laughed and cleaned my face up. He was looking at me the whole time, further embarrassing me.
“What?” I asked, laughing too.
“I’m just curious.”
“Curious about what?”
“How did it feel like,” he questioned, that sly expression coming back. “How did it feel like dumping your brother?”
He grinned mischievously. After a few moments, the both of us burst into laughter.
“Felt weird, I guess. I feel guilty because I hurt my own brother, but I’m happy I did it,” I finally answered. “I want to be with you, Jesse.”
He reached for my hand and held it. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
Maybe incest wasn’t my thing after all.
I mean, having a relationship with your first cousin is not as bad as having one with your older brother, right?
