Her bed didn’t even smell like her. I buried my face in her pillows and sheets, but her scent did not lingered. That meant, to my dismay, that she had left last night. She never even stayed a night here. I sighed but clenched my fists in anger, moaning a little in exasperation as I reread the note over and over in my head.

Dear Vic, it began.
I’m sure you’ve noticed already, but I’m leaving. I’m really sorry that I’m not here with you right now, and I hope this doesn’t scare you. I just knew that if I tried to leave you in person, I wouldn’t be able to. I guess you could call me a coward, but I don’t mind. I knew deep down that I needed to get away. I hope you understand that I had to leave. It’s not permanent, but I needed time alone. I know that you’ll be okay while I’m gone because I can see it in your eyes. You’re so healthy, and the only time you hurt is when you forget to take your medication as a result of caring for me. I hate that I’m the reason you are scared sometimes. But I know that you are okay. I just hope I’m not wrong. I’m sorry for being selfish, but I need to separate myself from the world. I love you, but I’m afraid that my problems are dragging you down. I don’t expect you to wait up for me, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.
I don’t think I’ll be long, and I hope this doesn't scar our relationship. It’s only temporary. I’m just going to get better, and then I’ll come back, if you still want me. I’m sorry.
I love you, Vic,
Bree.

Tears stained and smeared the black ink she had written with. The paper was now crumbled and existed in tiny pieces on the floor, remnants of my anger and sadness. A lot of me understood what she was doing and why, and I kind of expected it. I knew, deep down, that she was struggling still. And, even though I told her otherwise so many times, I knew she felt guilty for being in pain around me. I had told her that her pain was my pain, after all. Damn it!I cursed to myself. Why did I say that?

I only wished that she had told me in a different way. Seeing the letter on her bed panicked me, first off. I just wish she had called, instead. Would she answer if I called her? I was scared to find out.

I was glad, though, that she was taking time off to heal. She said she loved me, at least. But, then again, Logan had said he loved her, too. I sighed, realizing that sometimes the things you thought you loved, were the very things that brought you pain.

I forced myself to sit up in the bed, though. It didn’t smell like her, so it had no value to me to lay and wallow in. I reached for my phone and opened my contact list, my thumb dancing between Tony and Bree’s name.

“Fuck it,” I muttered, clicking on Bree’s name. I just needed to make sure she was alright, and that she genuinely was okay with this. I needed her, but maybe we needed some time apart. It wasn’t healthy to be completely dependent on another person. And this wasn’t her leaving leaving me. This was her “taking a break”, but not from me. From life. I wondered where she went and what she was going to do. Besides, she couldn’t ditch her job, could she?

I smiled slightly, realizing that her first day of work was only a few weeks out. So that probably meant that she would be back before then.

I frowned, though, when the call to her immediately deferred me to her voicemail box.

I sighed, controlling my shaking breath. I couldn’t over think this. I couldn’t let this destroy me. Bree still loved me, she said so. She said so.

I called Tony. It was four in the afternoon—I had slept here basically all day. I wondered if his date was over, and, if it was, if it had gone well.

He answered on the third ring. “Hello?” Tony asked. His voice was happy, like he had answered mid-laugh.

“Hey, man, are you still with Drew?” I asked.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Oh, never mind, then,” I mumbled.

“Are you sure? What’s up? Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “Er,” I lowered my voice. “How did it go?” I asked.

“Perfectly,” I could hear him smile. “I’ll tell you more about it later, okay?”

“Sounds good. I should go, anyway,” I said.

“Okay, see ya. Tell Bree I say hi,” Tony said.

“Um, yeah, sure,” I mumbled. “Bye,” I said, and then I hung up. I sighed, my hands beginning to shake anxiously. I grabbed my car keys and went out to the car. I couldn’t be alone right now, otherwise I would snap. I could feel the rubber band inside of me stretching and stretching, and I knew it was near its breaking point. I couldn’t let that happen, though.

I raced back to Tony’s house, the entire ride my eyes wide and emotionless. It was finally beginning to hit me harder: Bree left me.

But, strangely enough, I wasn’t madat her. I wasn’t mad at all. I was just plain sad. A tiny bit hurt. But not mad. Never mad at her. As much as it hurt, I knew everything she did was out of care for me. She always had a reason.

That didn’t mean I couldn’t feel horrible about it. Tears immediately sprung out of my eyes as I rushed into the Perry’s house, hoping that Mrs. Perry was out and that Alyssa was in.

“Alyssa?” I called into the house. I jogged up the stairs and headed to her room. I knocked on her door, but I didn’t bother to wait for her to answer. My emotions were beginning to get the best of me. I tried to hold it together, though.

“Vic?” Alyssa turned her head, shocked to see me. She was sitting on her bed doing homework. There was a guy sitting at her desk doing the same. They both stared at me like I had three heads. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I, um, I, uh,” I stuttered. “Fuck,” I muttered, realizing how much of a fool I was. “Shit, I just, uh, was going to talk to you, but it’s nothing, sorry,” I mumbled quickly. Just as fast as I arrived, I turned around and walked swiftly down the hallway, thoroughly embarrassed. I walked into my room and collapsed onto the bed, staining the pillow with salt water.

I felt a warm hand touch my back.

My head jolted up, and I quickly rolled over and stood up. “Lissy,” I greeted her, sniffing tears away.

“Vic, what happened?” she asked softly. She leaned up, since I was taller than her, and dabbed my eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. Well, technically it was my sweatshirt. I smiled a little, seeing that she was still wearing it.

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head, forcing myself to calm down.

“No, don’t apologize, Vic,” she said. “Tell me what happened,” she said.

I shook my head again. “No, I didn’t meant to interrupt,” I said, nodding in the direction of her room where a mystery boy sat.

“Oh, Rick? He’s a prick,” she laughed. “He’s only here because I needed help with calculus,” she said. “He just left,” she added.

“Hey, I thought I was your calculus tutor,” I said playfully, forcing a smile.

“I have several,” she smirked, and I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t want to disturb you or Tony while you were with your ladies,” she wiggled her eyebrows. At the mention of “ladies”, I frowned again. “Oh no,” she whispered.

I nodded sadly, a knot forming in my throat. “Vic, what happened?” she asked softly.

“She left me,” I said sadly.

“Oh, no, tell me it’s not—”

“No, it’s not. Not like that. I don’t know where she is, she just said she had to leave in the letter,” I cried again.

“Aw, Vic,” Alyssa whispered. She immediately pulled on my shoulders and brought me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry,” she added. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Did you try calling her?” she asked softly, rocking me a little.

I nodded. “Her phone is off. She turned it off on purpose,” I couldn’t help but cry. I didn’t want to, but the way Alyssa was comforting me made me feel like I could break down, and it would be okay, even if I didn’t want to break down.

I hunched my back so I was at Alyssa’s level, and I rested my head on her shoulder, letting out sobs. “I’m sorry, Vic,” she said quietly, rubbing my back. “Vic, did you take your pills this morning?” she asked quietly, probably wishing she had different timing but needing to make sure. I nodded, grateful that she double-checked.

“Good,” she said. “And you’ll take them tonight?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said quietly. I stood up straight and wiped my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. “This is stupid,” I said, referring to the way I was crying over my girlfriend leaving to my best friend’s sister. It didn’t feel right, and I felt very dumb.

“It’s not,” she declared. “I’m really sorry, Vic,” she said, rubbing my arm. My heart throbbed in my chest at the thought of Bree leaving for good. It made me shiver involuntarily.

“Come on, let’s distract you,” she said, noticing my demeanor. “Let’s watch movies. Forget calculus,” she suggested.

“What about your homework?” I asked.

“Ah, fuck calculus! When will I ever need it in real life?” she shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh, so you need the Lion King in real life?” I challenged with a small smirk.

“No, silly,” she grabbed my hand and let me back to her room.

"Well, if you don't need calculus or the Lion King in real life, what do you need?" I asked sarcastically.

She, however, answered in a way that appeared serious. She shrugged her shoulders, as if it was an obvious truth. "You."

Notes

Sorry it's so short! I just wanted to get another update in :)
What do you think about Bree leaving, and what do you think about her letter?
I personally think there was going to be heart ache either way (if she left or stayed). They got a lot of shit to deal with! And thoughts on Alyssa? And yay Tony!

Btw, I (yet again) started a new story. It's called The Concrete Night if you're interested! Check it out ;P