The Last Goodbye

It wasn't the usual Sunday morning as Jasmine awoke. There was no waft coming into the bedroom from the kitchen of sweet coffee and fresh out-of-the-oven coffee cake, the bed was neatly made to the left of her, and the sunlight was blocked from coming in through the window. Jasmine sat up knowing that there was no more. Today was the day of last goodbyes. It was hard but she finally got up and opened the blinds, looking out into the foggy day.
"Here we go", she whispered out.

After frantically trying to tidy up the apartment from all the trash she had left lying around throughout the week, Jasmine just so happened to look at the time appearing on the microwave.
"Shit", it was 3:50. Logan would be arriving in 10 minutes (or in his case, 30). And Jasmine still had to get ready. She walked straight to her closet and eyed the silky black dress that would be perfect for this occasion.

Jasmine was finishing curling her hair when there was a knock on the door.
"Come on in", she yelled out.
She heard the door slowly open as it used to do every day at around this time. Same routine, different reason.
"I'll be out in a minute", Jasmine said to Logan, who was awful quiet for once, "Make yourself at home. You know where everything is."

"Of course she's running late", Logan murmured to himself as he walked to the all too familiar kitchen. As he walked past the hallway in order to get to the kitchen, the smell of burnt vanilla filled his nose. It was from Jas using that curling iron on her beautiful hair. Logan smirked. He always hated her ruining her silky locks.

He hated being here. All the memories rushed back: the moment they first walked into this apartment together, hand in hand, starting their lives in their first year at college. Their late night talks. Their date nights. Their future together. Excitement from talks of engagement, leading to their first time. Then it went down. Early morning fights. Empty beds. Tears streaming down her face. It was over. All the years they spent together. Knowing each other since third grade. Crushes since freshman year. Dating since sophomore year. Over five years together as a couple. It was over.

Logan took a deep breath, noticing he's been waiting 10 minutes for Jas to come out. So he peeked around the hallway corner from his spot on the couch and straight back to her room. There in the doorway Jasmine was seen standing by her dresser in only her lingerie. Her hair cascaded down her back, her skin was flawlessly tan, and her legs were long. The sight of her made Logan feel at home. He used to see her like that every night, and this would probably be the last time. Logan couldn't take his eyes off her. He watched her pick up the silky black dress and slide it over her head. She ran her hands down her body to straighten out the dress and turned on her heel to come face Logan.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jasmine saw Logan watching her. She knew it. He misses what they had. She did too. Everything they worked for, all these years, gone. But she had to face the truth, come to terms, and move on. She strutted down her hall in the black dress that went to her feet, her hair swaying, everything else was all natural, just as she liked and knew Logan liked too.
"Hey, Jas", Logan said eyeing her.
"Hey", there was an awkward moment of silence as she walked to the other side of the couch and sat by Logan, "Thanks for coming on a Sunday afternoon. I'm sure you had plans."
"I'd free my schedule for you", Logan whispered lowly.
"So I've packed up most of your stuff in my room. You can pick up anything left that's yours..."
"Jas...", Logan interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry. About everything. I hate fighting with you. I just got over upset. You realize we're breaking it off over a stupid plate. A plate. We decide to end everything we've dreamed of our whole lives, because of a plate."
"Logan, it's not just the plate. It's the constant fight over who's going to do what each night. We fight over doing the dishes, the laundry, a movie, dinner. You don't even look at me the same anymore. You come home, you go to sleep. I wait up for you, you don't even acknowledge it. I'm tired. I'm tired of being the one who makes all the effort. This is not how I imagined my future. I pictured me waking up next to you each morning. Having little versions of us running around. Still being able to talk about stupid things with you, not work this and school that. Logan, I can't", Jasmine barely got that last sentence out as she tried to hold back her tears. She meant every word she said.
"Jas... Come here", Logan moved closer to Jasmine as she leaned on his chest. He felt her body moving up and down as she quietly cried into his sleeve, "Babe. I've never wanted you to feel this way. I try to give my all to you. And I'm sorry if I don't. It's just the time and place we're at now. I understand that you don't want to be together anymore. But I will always love you and be here for you whenever you need me, and you know that."
Jasmine sat up, drying her eyes. "I love you too, but I can never go back." She looked into Logan's bright blue eyes.

He looked into her big brown eyes. And started leaning in. "I know", Logan whispered as he slowly placed his hands on the side of her face and pressed their lips together. Jasmine was hesitant at first, but fell into the routine. She sat up straighter as he pulled her closer to him. Logan fell back, Jasmine laying on top of him. But as soon as Logan brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, Jasmine pulled back.

"I'm sorry", Jasmine said as her and Logan both sat up. Jasmine could tell that Logan was confused, she knew that face. But there was no way she could fall again. Logan stood up and started walking down the hallway. Jasmine wiped her face with her hands, and saw Logan walking back out with the box of his things in his hands. He got to the door, when he stopped and turned to see Jasmine.

"Goodbye", Logan barely managed out his mouth. He looked at Jasmine for the last time. She was a wreck, but she was beautiful. He hoped she would jump back to her old self in the next few days, because he couldn't imagine his life without seeing her, talking to her. They were best friends and had the same friends. This wasn't going to be it. But for now, that was the end. This is goodbye. Logan closed the door behind him and walked off as Jasmine sat there, unsure of what to feel.