"Sophie please don't go," he whispered, his voice beginning to crack as the tears threatened to spill out of his gorgeous blue eyes. Sophie stared for a moment, then using every ounce of her resolve she turned to face the door. She took a few small steps forwards then stopped, looking at the floor as the tears began to flow from her own eyes. She took a deep, but shaky breath in before replying over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Tom, I can't do this any more."
As she closed the door behind her and stepped out into the cold night air, Sophie began to run. She just wanted to get away. Get away from this city which had once promised her so much, and was now tainted with so many bittersweet memories. She couldn't help but laugh to herself as she went, suddenly realising that, ironically, this was how it had all began; running. Even back then she was running away, except that when she'd run into Tom that day in the park, she thought she'd finally be able to stop running. She felt an ache in her chest as all of the memories of the past two years seemed to flash through her mind all at once. What started out as a chance encounter with a celebrity, soon became coffee with a casual acquaintance, then crying into a glass of whiskey at two am with a best friend, and finally, this. This toxic relationship constantly toeing the line between friends and something more, which had left Sophie emotionally drained, yet paralysed, unable to walk away. Until tonight. As her thoughts came back to the present she suddenly realised she was going throw up, the speed of her running and the alcohol she'd consumed earlier finally catching up with her. She sought the nearest alleyway and heaved until her throat burned and her stomach ached. Still crying, she was relieved to discover she was only one street from her apartment. She reached the front door and walked to her bedroom, removing only her shoes before collapsing into bed. She drew up the covers and sobbed into her pillow, wishing the Earth would swallow her up.