"You're pathetic, you know that? Tristan, I - I treat you like absolute garbage and you keep crawling back for more. Why? Are you really that desperate for somebody to love you?"
It's true. Miles was treating him like garbage. Tristan, who took care of him when he was sick. Tristan, who did not hold a grudge when Miles abandoned him in class. Tristan, who forgives almost anything.
Why? This question was the only thing he could think about. What have I done wrong? Why do you hate me? Why are you cruel? Tell me. Just tell me, Miles. Please tell me.
Tristan wanted to speak, but a lump lodged in his throat like a canon ball, heavy, rough and unrelenting. He tried to swallow, but even that seemed impossible. Miles' harsh accusation resonated louder and louder in Tristan's head, until the sound has become unbearable, pounding, ripping through his eardrums. He tried to cover his ears to stop the awful sound of Miles' cruelty, but his arms did not obey. Tristan was paralyzed from head to toe. He couldn't move a muscle. He felt nothing. Miles was charging out the door when Tristan's vision suddenly blurred. Warm streams burst out from his eyes. Burning, bitter tears of grief. Tears of a young, broken heart.
For as long as he could remember, Tristan's hopeless romantic side happily churned out dozens of scenarios consisting of the person that he cherished the most saying the words, "I love you." When he started dating Miles, a part of him was sure that he was on the right track of finally hearing that sweet confession. Now the dream has turned into a nightmare, and there was no more room for fantasies.
The moment has been tainted.
Tristan suddenly noticed that Miles' siblings and best friend had left. In that moment he was acutely aware of how he was the only one left standing in the classroom. It hit him how alone he was in the world. Tori barely kept in touch anymore. His parents were still fighting. His brother was making the most of college life. He was on the worst of terms with both Maya and Zig. Zoë's oath of staying away from boys had inadvertently extended to him since Power Cheer was her life now. And it looks like the budding friendships that he was building with Winston, Frankie and even Hunter will soon disintegrate into nothing more than awkward exchanges of tight smiles that don't even meet the eyes when they were to cross each other in the halls.
He wiped away the wetness and made his way to his locker to get his things and head home. He was not even going to bother with History class. Perino was right. Tristan had made a poor choice in a partner after all.
Maybe he was meant to be lonely.