Friday, May 26th, 2017. 9:05 PM.
• • •

We stared at each other. Our eyes ablaze with anger that sat heavy in our chests begging to be let out, begging to burn each other. It was as if all the air was sucked out of the room, all the sounds- the tap of the faucet, the whirring of the keurig- had all seized. Ben and I glared at each other and I wondered who would speak first, who would cross that line and push us further and further into the path of our dismantling relationship.

His lips parted, and his voice was actually apologetic, "Annie, I shouldn't have said that."

"Ah, but you did, Ben. Fine. I'll tell you." I was angry now, my words quick as my eyes jabbed at him with resentment. I sat down tucking my knees to my chest, motioning for him to do the same.

"Sit. Ben."

He did as he was told his Adam's Apple giving away his uneasiness.

"What made you suspect Clark?" I asked.

"It was the way you acted when he called your name at The Daily Planet. You squeezed my hand."

"A hand squeeze?"

"You were shaking, and I noticed how you acted towards him- I wasn't sure at first, couldn't figure out why your old and newly returned friend would cause such a reaction from you, but once I sat back and thought clearly- it all made sense."

"What do you want to know?" I sighed.

He glanced up almost happily that I had given in, and thought to himself for a moment.

"Do you love him?"

"Of course I do, but that doesn't mean I don't love you more. Clark and I were together for a short amount of time and then he was gone. You two are very different people and it's wrong for you to want me to compare you both. I've never asked about your wife because I know that pain- so I don't understand why you're so hung up on Clark. I haven't given you any reason to doubt my feelings have I?"

"Annie, you've changed."

"How have I changed?" I questioned.

"You're more distant. I can feel you pulling away."

"Of course I am! There is so much going on right now and I thought I was moving forward not backwards. The media, this cult it's all too much and my job is stressful as it is. I didn't ask for this!"

"Didn't ask for what?"

"I didn't ask for him to come back. You act like I wanted this to happen. That I wanted my ex who was killed to come back to life and for us to go back to the way everything was. You act like I'm the type of person that would be so quick to ditch you for him."

"I've never said that." He deadpanned.

"Oh, Ben. You don't have to. You do it in the way you look at me, in the way you sit here and question my feelings for him. You even told me weeks ago after he was alive again that you were scared I wasn't coming back. Of course, I'm happy he's back. He gets to be with his mother, she isn't alone anymore and the world will go back to the way it was before he died."

"No it won't. You and him won't, and that bothers you doesn't it?"

I clench my jaw, tears pricking at my eyes.

"I don't understand what you want me to say."

"I want you to admit that you're still in love with him and would go back to him."

"Ben, why would I do that to you?"

"Because it's what I'd do!" He yelled, "If my wife was here and not dead, I wouldn't hesitate to walk out of your life."

I sucked in a breath and sat wide eyed staring at him, he had in his moment of anger, launched to his feet. His brow was wet with sweat, his voice cracked with emotion and my eyes narrowed into slits.

"I see." Standing up, I quickly walked to my bedroom. Behind me, I heard him stand up.

"Annie. I shouldn't have said that. I'm paranoid. I can't compare to him." He was trying to save face.

Stopping, I turn to him, "Ben, shut up. I've never compared the two of you. I never thought for a moment that he would be back from the dead, so you can't be angry with me if I'm unsure on how to handle this. I chose you, Ben. I never hesitated. When Clark talked about us going back to the way we were I thought of you. I put you first because I care about you and love you, but it's obvious that me telling you that isn't enough. I don't need your paranoia and jealousy on top of every other crisis in my life."

"What are you saying?"

"Go find someone who is more like your wife then I am. Maybe you won't resent her for choosing the man she loves."

I tore my eyes away from his glassy blue orbs and walked to the front door. I turned the knob and opened it, he stared at me and I sighed.

"Ben, you obviously can't trust me when I tell you I love you and I can't keep telling you just to keep you happy. Either you know that I do or you don't. I think you should leave."

"You're right. I need time to cool down and when I come back can we talk this over?"

"No. Ben, you're not coming back."

His eyes narrowed as his brow furrowed. Slightly parted lips pulled together in a grimace as my words sunk in. For a moment I thought he was going to hit me. I clenched the door knob tighter and shifted on my feet, rolling my shoulders back I stood my ground.

Ben went into my room, I could hear him angrily pulling clothes off hangers and out of drawers. A few moments later a zipper sounded and he came out of my room with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He let it slide off his shoulder as he pulled his sneakers on.

Finally, he had stood up and walked towards me his eyes narrowed in anger.

"Don't act like you haven't thought about him. You aren't better than me, Annie."

"I don't know why you're thinking like this or acting like I've given you a reason why I am."

"Because you truly believe that you chose me and I'm supposed to be comfortable with your ex being a God who isn't dead anymore. Don't act like me going back to my wife if she was suddenly alive would be the worst thing to happen when it's your ex who came back."

I let him speak, I couldn't say anything. His jealousy and paranoia came off him in waves and slammed into me. My mother was right, jealousy does make you ugly because I couldn't recognize the man in front of me anymore. He realized he was getting no response from me and his long legs carried him out of my apartment.

"Can you give me your key."

"How am I supposed to get the rest of my things?"

"I won't be working tomorrow. I'll let you in." I held out my hand and he bristled but shoved his hand in his back pocket fishing out his keys. In a matter of seconds he deposited the extra key into my palm and turned down the hall. I leaned out the door watching him leave, the elevator dinged and he disappeared not sparing me a second glance.

I sighed pinching my nose. The headache I could feel earlier was now pulsing throughout my entire skull. This was not how it was supposed to end.

The sound of gum popping made me turn to look towards the stairs behind me. On the last step, blowing bubbles with her gum and teeth smacking sat the young girl from the floor above.

"Does this mean you and Superman are going to be husband and wife now?"

"What?" I balked.

"You broke up with your boyfriend, right? Now you'll have to go back to Superman!" She was excited and I gave her a tight smile before walking back into my apartment. I slammed the door, locked the deadbolt, normal lock and slid the chain closed.

That was a question the whole world would be asking soon enough.

Suddenly, my stomach lurched and I scrambled to the bedroom, tripping over the mess Ben made when he packed. I barely made it to the bathroom before my stomach contents flew from my mouth. I wretched into the bowl, dizzy from the headache pulsing quicker and heavier that I didn't have any energy to catch myself before my legs gave out and my head snapped against the porcelain sink my world going black before I even hit the floor.

• • •

So sorry for being gone for so long! So much has happened and now that my Spring Break has been extended by a week and all my college classes are to be online next week I thought I'd pop out this chapter for you guys before I got too busy!

What do you guys think of this chapter? Is Ben finally out of her life? How do you think the world is going to take their breakup?

I hope the Coronavirus hasn't affected any of you too personally! Wash your hands and be diligent and thoughtful to others in this crazy time.