Clare was in the kitchen washing dishes thinking of the perfect way of telling Eli her surprise. She didn't think it was possible to be this happy; she had a fulfilling job as an English teacher and she was engaged to her high school sweetheart. She looked at the engagement ring on her finger and let out a breathy sigh. She finished what she was doing and walked over to the couch and sat down. She decided to pick up her phone to call Alli and tell her the good news when she heard keys at the front door. She turned to face a very sad looking Eli opening and closing the door behind him. She got up and wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick peck on the lips. When Eli didn't return the kiss, she took a step back and asked him what was wrong.

"We need to talk" he responded softly.

"Um okay" Clare said nervously as she walked back over to the couch and sat down. Eli stood in front of her and avoided looking at her which made Clare feel uneasy.

"Eli, what's wrong? You're kinda scaring me right now" Clare said while fidgeting with her fingers. Eli took a deep breath and looked up at her.

"I don't want to get married Clare" he said finally. Clare looked at him in confusion before letting out small laugh.

"Ha Ha, very funny" she said standing up and walking to their bedroom.

"I'm serious Clare, I'm not going to marry you" he said sternly following after her. Clare shook her head and chuckled nervously.

"You know, it isn't as funny the second time" she said looking at him hoping this was all a bad joke.

When he didn't say anything, she knew it was true. She suddenly felt dizzy as her legs gave out and she fell on to the bed.

"I don't understand. I mean is it a case of cold feet because if it is we can just postpone" she said sadly looking at the floor feeling as if her world had just turned upside down.

"No, it's more than that Clare" was all Eli said.

"Well then what is it? I think I deserve some kind of explanation" Clare yelled while turning to look at him. Eli could see the tears in her eyes threatening to fall and wished more than anything that he didn't have to do what he was about to do.

"We've been together since we were 15 and 16 years old. I mean we haven't even experienced being without each other for an extended period of time. We're just so different-"

"So what are you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush and get to the fucking point, Eli" Clare spat angrily.

"I'm not sure if I'm not in love with you anymore, Clare" Eli said quietly.

Clare felt as if she had just been punched in the stomach. She grabbed her stomach and started hyperventilating. Eli ran over to her and tried to rub her back but Clare swatted him away. Tears were now falling down her face and she couldn't even think. His words were replaying like a loop in her head.

"You're not in love with me anymore?" was all she kept saying as if the more she repeated it, the more it would make sense.

"I'm sorry Clare, I really am" he said stuffing his hands in to his pockets. Clare glared at him and stood up.

"Is there someone else?" she asked venomously. Eli shook his head and said no.

"Then why? How could you do this to me?" she screamed pushing him back. "You said you would love me forever. You promised me forever, Eli" she screamed pounding her fists in to his chest.

"I know but we were so young and I-" Eli was cut off by a swift slap to the face.

"You're just a selfish bastard" Clare stated coldly. "You didn't get a chance to act like some kind of man whore and now you regret it" she said backing away from him.

"Come on Clare. You know that's not-"

"Oh bullshit, Eli. What other possible reason could there be for your sudden change of heart" she asked bitterly.

"We need time apart Clare. To find out who we are and stuff" he said reaching out and trying to touch Clare but she kept swatting him away.

"Don't touch me" she said in an icy tone.

"Clare, I still care about you. I just don't know if I want to spend the rest of my life with you"

"Shut up" Clare said softly

"Clare, I-"

"Shut up" she repeated louder interrupting him.

"I'm sorry"

"Shut up, shut up, just shut up. I don't what to hear anything you have to say" she yelled slamming her hands on the dresser she was standing next to. "You need to go. I don't care where but you need to leave now" she said turning to face him.

He tried to keep eye contact but her gaze was too intense. His eyes fell to the floor and he walked out of the room. She waited until she heard the front door close and fell to the floor and started sobbing loudly.

"How could he do this to me?" was all she kept thinking. Suddenly, she was hit with a strong urge to throw up. She ran to the bathroom and emptied the contents of her stomach in to the toilet.

"I hate him" she thought as she sat against the wall wiping her mouth. She put one hand to her stomach and the other to her head and exhaled sharply.

She stood up and looked in to the bathroom mirror. She lifted up her shirt and turned to the side. She put her hand on her stomach again and started to rub it gently. "How can I hate the guy who gave me you" she said softly.

She put down her shirt and put both hands on the sink. She thought about that had happened and decided in that moment she was done with Eli. She took off her engagement ring and put it on the sink. She walked to the bedroom and packed as much of her things as she could carry and pull. She left her key behind and as tears ran down her face, she exited the apartment.