Italics bold underlined - Natalia

Italics - Malaika

Bold - William

I had never been excited for my birthday since I didn't even know when it was but I had been pretty excited for my seventeenth birthday. My aunt was cutting me some slack since I was sitting for my exams soon and I had a boyfriend who had promised to buy me a gift. I wasn't really for material things but I was pretty excited for what William would get me.

When I woke up to no birthday texts or posts from William I brushed it off thinking he was just busy or preparing for something big. When I arrived at the diner from school I passed by Simon's shop to check for any packages for me but there was nothing. The feeling of disappointment was growing stronger but I brushed it off since the day wasn't over yet. Simon bought me a pair of new balenciaga sneakers that I fell in love with. It was a sweet gift that I really appreciated.

My aunt didn't even care that it was my birthday and she didn't know that I knew so to her it was another normal day. I made sure to finish all my chores by midnight so I could light myself a little cupcake candle and make I wish. I sat in the diner alone with a huge cupcake with pink and blue frosting, lit the candle, made a wish and blew it out. It was nothing major, just something I had been praying for a long time.

One minute struck past midnight without a single birthday wish or text from my boyfriend. I had been trying to hold them back all day but I couldn't help but break down. Looks like I wouldn't get my birthday wish after all considering I'd just started my new year with tears.

I waited until two am to see if William would call and when he didn't I dragged myself up to the apartment to get some shut eye. I didn't get any sleep so I was definitely looking like a zombie the next morning when I got for school.

Three days after my birthday I was angry, heartbroken and filled with sadness. As much as I tried not to overthink it I couldn't help but think that I had actually lost William.

After we had the talk and he promised to change, he actually did and was more attentive and loving but that only lasted a week before he was back to ignoring me. I was done with him playing with my heart so that night as I sat in the diner, phone clutched in my shaking hand, I had already made my decision. I was not going to let William continue playing with my heart. I deserved better than to be strung along as he lived his best life in university.

I composed myself and called him. I didn't care if I had to call him ten times as long as I went to sleep knowing for sure whether or not I was in a relationship.

Finally when I was calling for the sixth time, someone picked up and it was definitely not William.

Hi

It was a girl and she was wearing his clothes. I had personally helped him pick out that hoodie when he came to visit. The girl was beautiful, definitely made me give myself a once over but if William was cheating on me then he definitely had an upgrade. Instead of jumping into conclusions I decided to give William the benefit of the doubt.

Hi, this is Williams phone right.

Yeah he's still sleeping. Is it an emergency you've been calling for a while?

Can I please talk to him?

He's sleeping, can I take a message or do you want me to wake him?

She tilted the phone so that I could see William sleeping on his stomach with one of his hands tucked under the pillow and the other one sprawled next to him. He was naked from the waist up in only a pair of boxers, the covers bunched up at his legs. His face looked so peaceful but even I couldn't ignore the lipstick marks on his cheeks and part of his back. I sucked in a breath when all the pieces started falling in place.

Are you okay? I can wake him if you want.

No it's okay thanks.

Before she could say anything more I quickly cut the call and swiped off the tears that were trailing down my face. I hadn't even realized that I was crying out loud until my sobs echoed back to me in the empty diner. I knew something had been wrong the whole time but I had tried to console myself that William, my first everything, the guy who had made me feel special and treated me like a queen, flying over continents to come see me would never lie to me or hurt me. He had just cheated on me and each time I thought about it, my heart broke a little more.

I had no idea why I found myself on Instagram and opening Williams story feed. There were many videos there all from the previous night and when I got to the last one, what I saw was the last nail to the coffin that was my relationship with William. He was at a party as shown by the sweaty bodies behind him and the loud music in the background. There was nothing wrong with the videos until in the last one when a girl started grinding up to him. I wasn't sure if it was the same girl as the one who had picked up the phone since her hair was covering her face but they both had dark hair so it could have been her. She looped her hands around Williams neck and pulled him down for a kiss. They kissed for a few seconds before the video ended and I didn't need to be told what happened next.

I would have thought it was all a misunderstanding but William made no move to push her away and he actually kissed her back. I was about to log off Instagram and throw my phone against the wall when William video called me. I didn't want to pick up for fear of being too angry that I'd lash out and say things I'd regret but I also wanted to hear him out. I composed myself, wiped away my tears, took a few deep breaths and received the call with a fake smile plastered on my face.

A shirtless William filled the screen and his sleepy eyes almost made me forgive him immediately because of how cute he looked. But William had broken my heart and trust and there was no coming back from that.

Hi Angel.

It hurt when he called me that. It's like he had no idea what had happened. I decided to play along with the innocent look.

Hi William. You look tired. Long night?

Yeah it was Louis' birthday yesterday and he threw a party, went all night. It was crazy.

Speaking of birthday's you forgot mine.

No I didn't, it's on 23rd of November.

No it was on 23rd of October. That was three days ago.

No way, I even wrote it down.

He jumped out of bed and I heard some rustling followed by cussing before his sorrowful face filled the screen.

Fuck Angel I'm sorry. I honestly thought it was next month. I'll make it up to you.

Never mind. I don't want anything from you. It has already passed.

Don't say that love, I know I messed up but at least give me the chance to make it up to you.

Why do you have a hickey on your chest?

What?

He looked down and saw the hickey I was talking about on his chest. He glared at it and tried to rub it off as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

I have no idea how that got there.

Really William? You're going to play that card with me.

What are you talking about?

He looked genuinely confused but I was too hurt to fall for that look.

A girl answered your phone when I called earlier. The same girl you were kissing at the party last night.

I didn't kiss any girl.

You should really be careful what you post on your social media just in case your girlfriend stumbles upon it.

I'm seriously confused. What are you talking about?

William I can't do this anymore.

Do what?

If you're not going to be man enough and break up with me then I'll do it. I don't want to be played William. My life is already miserable enough without a heartbreak in the mix.

You're breaking up with me? Why?

You've got to be kidding me. Why am I breaking up with you William. Oh how about the fact that since you joined college I've barely been able to talk to you. You don't have time for me anymore even five minutes to send me a single text yet you have time to post three tiktoks a day. You forgot my birthday and if that's not enough you had to cheat on me. It's like you just want me to break up with you. Well guess what I just did. We're over.

No we're not. I'm sorry I've been distant, it's just been a hustle getting settled in. I didn't forget your birthday on purpose. I just got the days mixed up and I didn't cheat on you.

Yeah tell that to the hickeys on your chest and back plus the girl on your Instagram story. I hope you're happy William. I'm sorry my love wasn't enough to keep you faithful.

I hang up the phone and dropped it on the table more sobs racking my body. I tried to hold them in but they wouldn't stop. William tried to call me again but I wasn't having it. In a fit of anger I picked up the phone and flung it at the wall the screen cracking on impact.

I had just lost William and even though I had known it would happen sooner or later, I was not prepared for it to be so soon.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

Breakups suck.

Please vote, share and comment.