Ken's POV:

I'm tired. Lyle keeps packing me lunches, I don't eat them though, I give them to people who need them, I don't. I can't eat them, I feel so guilty.

I'm determined to make Lyle happy, he's done so much for me.

I debate whether or not to open up my phone and tell Vic or mom about the scare.

I relent and turn my phone one, I see text messages...

They're not from Vic or mom...

Hey Ken, we need to talk- Bella 9/4/25

Ken are you avoiding me?- Bella 9/5/25

Ken, I'm just going to come out and say this, I want to break up, I wanted to do this in person, but I don't think you're going to come around and actually respect me enough to do that. I don't feel loved, and I try so hard to make you fell loved. You never kissed me, and I have to initiate every time. I know you might not like it, but I have needs too. I want to stay friends, but I can't be your girlfriend. Know that I have never cheated on you, emotionally or physically. However I don't think you have. I want you to truly and deeply think about your friendship with Lyle, I think you really love him. Whenever we talk, it's only about Lyle. You gushing about him, and me trying to get a word in. I love you, I just can't do this anymore.- Bella 9/10/25

What the fuck. 

I feel nothing. 

I'm not sad, just relieved. Why? Why am I not tearing myself up about this. 

I haven't even thought about her for weeks.

I am stuck with my thoughts for a bit, then Lyle comes in beaming and telling me that he had planned so many activities for the week that Tom was here.

Lyle had his favorite green long-sleeve on, he was wearing paint splattered jeans and had his long light brown hair up in a bun, held together with a paint brush. I wouldn't be surprised is there was still pain in it. 

He was laughing about a joke that one of his friends had told him, green eyes lighting up and lips spread wide, letting his grin shin through even more.

I randomly mention that Bella broke up with me, and he looks concerned.

"Are you ok? Do you need emotional support ice-cream, we can go out and try to get your mind off of it if you want, or we could just stay here and watch movies, or I could leave you alone," Lyle started rambling.

"Staying here with you would be nice, but the breakup was mutual, believe me, just not meant to be I guess," I said.

"Ok!" Lyle exclaimed.

He started preparing a movie, making a fort out of blankets and pillows, using the futon as support. He went out and came back at an alarming speed with snack and drinks.

He chose a best friend movie, Lyle said that it was recommended and he didn't know much about the plot. He did warn me it might be gay, he said it in a fake spooky tone.

It followed two child-hood friends growing up together and finding themselves. One leaves the small town for a girl, while the other takes care of his family farm, neither of them ever forgot about the other. There's one scene where one of the guys is yelling in the rain about how the other one knows nothing about love, and when he did, then he would understand why he left it all for one girl. The other responds with something like I know what love is you absolute dipshit, then proceeds to make out with him. They fall in love and grow old and adopt and have grandkids, showing how breathtaking love is, and how funny life can be with slapping hard you with the obvious.

I thought it was beautiful.

I want that someday.

We finish the snacks and clean up.

I lie awake in my bed replaying that scene over and over again. 

I decide I shouldn't overthink things and shut off my lamp and go to bed.