I couldn't believe what he was saying to me. There was no way this was happening. I didn't want it to be true. This is a joke maybe? This was way too cruel. It was a week before my birthday

"I don't like you anymore. I'm sorry Alex, but I'm not interested in a relationship anymore." Neil shrugged, "I should get going. It was nice while it lasted, but it wasn't meant to be."

He turned his back to me and walked away from the Goddess spring where he told me to meet him. I felt my throat tighten up as my eyes started to feel wet. Was I boring to him? I don't think I've changed, but maybe he was never into me from the start. Maybe I was dreaming. I would awake with Neil at my side and love in his eyes. There's no way that he didn't like me the same way I liked him. I felt like my feet were made of stone as I made my way home. I was going to forage today, but I didn't have any energy.

"Alex, are you ok? I've called your name a bunch of times." I turned to see Tina waving at me. I was usually happy to see her, but I was too lost in thought.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"You sure? Your eyes look puffy."

I wiped my eyes, "Really? I wonder why that is. Anyways I'm going to bed early tonight. Early to bed, early to rise."

"Something happened. I can tell. I saw Neil earlier. He seemed grumpier than usual. When I asked him what had him in a bad mood, he told me to buzz off."

"It's really nothing," I denied.

"Alex. . . I guess you two had a fight? Or it is. . . I'm so sorry." She left me alone after that. I didn't respond. Maybe if I didn't admit it out loud, it wouldn't be true.

When I got to my house, I didn't bother turning on any of the lights. I couldn't. My head was flowing with memories of our time together. I remember how shy I was around him at first. After spending more time with him I got to know what he was really like. I still recall how nervous I was when I showed him the ring for the first time. It had been a nice relationship. Almost a whole year. I didn't see any signs of him being unhappy from our time together. Why wouldn't we have lasted to him? We both have jobs and live in the same town. Neither of us flirted with anyone else. We were happy. I refuse to believe that I made him depressed. I got into bed, too upset to move. Maybe this nightmare would be over.

After a couple of days, people noticed that I wasn't acting like myself. I was very close to Echo village's people. I had gained their trust when I saved the town all by myself. A simple farm girl fixing a broken place wasn't a common occurrence. I didn't want anyone to see how pained I was. I still didn't want to think about that day or Neil's reasoning. He must have been lying surely. Maybe he liked someone else and didn't want to break my trust.

"Are you alright Alex?" I jumped when I heard Rod's voice. I didn't realize that he had entered the restaurant. It was a Thursday, so he should be working right now. I noticed that Felicity was looking at me with a look of pity from across the tables. Michelle looked less preppy than normal as she performed her magic.

"I'm dandy. I feel as if my day couldn't get any better," I plastered a fake smile on face. I felt like vomiting. It wasn't Rod's fault. He was a nice guy. But he was friends with Neil. It made me a bit uncomfortable.

"You don't look very good. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you. I know what happened. I talked with Neil."

I couldn't help but stiffen. I wasn't in the mood for this. It hasn't even been that long since we broke up. I didn't like how that sounded in my ear. I couldn't deal with this. Not yet. I need time.

"Oh. What did he say?"

"Not much. It's hard to get him to open up sometimes. He just said that personal things happened and to not ask about you. I don't need to be a genius to know that you guys are going different ways. I'm sorry."

"I have to go," I got up from the table as my throat started to knot. I ran from the building as Rod yelled my name after me. I didn't want to speak with anyone right now. This wasn't fair. What did I do wrong? Why was this happening to me of all people? Why didn't he love me anymore?

I ended up at the Goddess spring and sank to my knees. I started to cry then and there. I hated crying in front of other people. I've been like that since my childhood. The only other people to see me cry were Neil and Tina. I wasn't one to let my emotions to get too out of control. The animals in the forest seemed to sense my sadness and went up to me. I could see that they were trying to comfort me. I had finally gotten them all to no longer be scared of me. I sniffed and let them try to make me feel better. Animals were so much better than humans. Animals wouldn't break a heart.