I could see the rain pounding onto the pavement, the big drops splashing loudly upon impact. I could see the cars speeding past, desperate to get home after a long day of work. I could see my neighbors across the street saying grace, the husband sneaking glances at the football game on TV. What I couldn't see was my girlfriend.

Supposedly she was going to be here two hours ago, and yet the clock kept ticking away in her absence. I shouldn't have expected her to come. Even tonight, the most important night of our relationship wasn't important enough for a small drop-in; maybe even a dinner.

Okay, so I'd already made the dinner. What can I say, I got my hopes up. I silently promised myself not to do that again.

Another car drove by, but it wasn't her. I just broke my promise. Mentally berating myself, I stood and walked to the other side of the living room; the first move I'd made all night. I didn't even bother calling her, just switched on the TV. Maybe I could catch the end of the football game across the street. Not that it mattered much to me. I just needed the noise.

A clap of thunder. The weather seemed to be matching my mood. There was no avoiding it, now. Everything she had told me was a lie.

Those are all very beautiful words
But actions speak louder
In case you haven't heard, I'm all alone
While you're out on the town drinkin' with your friends

"I forgot." That was her excuse. She also said, "I love you" but that doesn't make it true. She wouldn't treat me the way she did if it was.

She claimed she had been working late, but Harry called later that night saying he saw her at a bar and was wondering where I was. At least she wasn't cheating on me, right? Though sometimes I almost wish she was. Maybe it would give me the courage to confront her; to finally tell her how I really feel.

But life wasn't quite so easy. As bad as she treated me, she wouldn't cheat on me.

"I'll see you tonight." She promised. See you in a few days, I silently corrected her.

You only call me after you've had a few
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know


I was right. She didn't come that night. Or the next. On the third night she showed up, apologizing again. Telling more lies. I hated that she thought she could treat me this way and get away with it. I hated it more that she actually could.

I almost stood up to her. I almost told her how I felt. I almost ended it. Almost. But 'almost' doesn't get anything done. So she got away with it again; leaving in a flurry of 'sorry's' and 'I love you's'. As if I believed her now. No longer was I so stupid; so oblivious.

You only call me after you've had a few
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know

"Ron, don't." she pleads. I finally did it. I got up the courage to tell her how I feel, and in my rampage I ended it. Whatever it was we had.

I tell her I have no choice; but I do. I tell her that it's time for us to move on; she already has. I balanced out our relationship with the amount of lies I told that night. But she bought them. Or maybe she just doesn't care.

She leaves, and I cry. I realize she still has a hold on me. It doesn't matter that we aren't together anymore, because I still love her. But I helped to make it less painful. At least now I don't have to listen to her lies. I won't have to look at her everytime she grimaces after one of my compliments.

It was ten minutes after Hermione left that it sunk in. It was really over. The scary part was: I didn't want it to be.