One day after class, Joey walked to Mr. Peabody, who was waiting for her outside on his motorscooter. The canine cheerfully greeted the young woman, who in return, quietly greeted him back. Hector immediately became concerned. "Josephine, is something wrong?"
"Can we wait to talk about it until we get home?" she asked. At this, Hector nodded, and they both went back to the penthouse, not saying another word until they were inside their home.
Joey immediately set down her supplies, then went into the bedroom to change into more comfortable clothes. Hector followed, waiting for her to speak. Finally, Joey said in a slightly shaky voice, "Alessandro spoke to me today. It's the first time he's said anything to me since I rejected him."
"Oh? What did he say to you, darling?"
"He wants to be friends." She looked down at the floor.
"Why? It doesn't seem like a very good idea, considering the way he treated you and how badly things ended between you two."
Joey shrugged. "I honestly have no idea. It's difficult enough having a class with him. Every time I look at him, all I can see is the person he became and all the pain he caused me. I can't just get rid of those memories. Even hearing his name makes me panic a little." She sat on the bed, holding her head in her hands.
Hector sat by her, holding her in his arms. "You don't have to speak to Alessandro. I think you're doing a fantastic job moving on from him and creating a better life for yourself."
Joey looked at her lover with teary eyes. "But, see, that's the thing: I...I'm not really doing so well."
"Talk to me, darling. You know you can tell me anything."
"I've been trying really hard to move on and not think about him, but a part of me misses him. I've been so afraid to tell you because I thought you'd be hurt. I don't love him anymore, and it's not like I want him back. I just...miss him."
"That's understandable. You two have a rather lengthy history, and I know it's been difficult for you to adjust to the changes. You made the right decision to leave him, though."
"I know, Hector. I know how he treated me was bad, but sometimes, I can't get him out of my head. I miss the good times we had. I miss how he used to be. It seems like he didn't start being mean until he got tired of me. Why won't he get out of my head?! Why won't he leave me alone?!" She started sobbing.
Hector held Joey close, letting her cry. When she calmed down, he replied, "It will take some time for you to heal. What he did caused emotional damage, which you know is every bit as significant as physical damage. In this case, all you can do is try to stay away from him as much as possible and take care of yourself. You deserve to be happy, and Alessandro isn't in that equation of happiness."
Joey sighed. She had had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about her ex. She wanted to forget him and all the pain he had brought her. Maybe Alessandro didn't realize how painful him trying to interact with her was. Maybe he didn't know how much the memories hurt. Maybe he didn't realize how toxic of a person he had become, or maybe he didn't care. Either way, Joey knew she couldn't keep living like this.
The next day before class, Joey went up to Alessandro, who was talking to his new girlfriend. Joey's heart sank, but she didn't know why. She was happy with Hector and wouldn't trade him for anyone else, so why was she feeling so sad about her ex being with someone new? Joey tried to push those feelings aside and spoke to Alessandro. They talked away from his girlfriend.
"Alessandro, I've thought about it, and I don't think we should be friends," stated Joey, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Why not?"
"It's just not a good idea. We've had some bad history that friendship can't fix."
"Just because we went out? We can still be friends."
Joey shook her head. "You don't remember what happened, all the names you called me and all the things you did?"
Alessandro frowned. "Hey, it wasn't all my fault. You didn't have to go out with me. Besides, you owe me."
"For what?"
"All the stuff I bought you."
"That's why you want to be my friend? So I can pay you for the gifts you got me?"
"Well, no, but you wouldn't have that stuff if it weren't for me."
Joey was speechless for a few moments. When she got over her shock, she said, "Fine, if it's money you want, you'll get it. Just leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you."
"Wow, that's pretty harsh."
Joey swallowed, trying to keep from bursting out crying. "Harsh?! What about when you called me fat and lazy?! What about all the times you pressured me to change while you did jack shit?! What about how crappy you made me feel?! You were only nice until I wasn't good enough for you!"
Alessandro rolled his eyes. "It's always about you, isn't it?"
Joey ran into the building, hiding in the bathroom, crying, until class started.
The rest of the day wasn't any easier. All throughout class, Joey had a sick feeling in her stomach. How could Alessandro not realize the full extent of his actions? How much of the mess was actually her fault? Her head swam with questions, and she was relieved when class was over.
When Joey and Hector got home, Joey tearfully told Hector what had happened. Hector sighed. "That boy sounds very narcissistic."
"Narcissistic?" Joey asked, sniffling.
"Yes. Usually, narcissists are arrogant and blame others for their failures. They also lack sympathy and are emotionally distant unless they want something. Narcissists are controlling and manipulative. The behaviors he's displayed all show that he is narcissistic. I'm so sorry you're going through this, but at least you got out of that relationship."
"Do I have to give him money?"
"No. You don't owe him anything, and him saying that you do is his way of trying to control you."
Hector hugged Joey. "My love, don't let him keep you from moving forward. You have such a promising life ahead of you. Don't let him be a dead weight for you to needlessly carry around. You have people in your life who don't wish to harm you and who benefit you in different ways. Focus on them."
"I'll try. I feel so horrible, like I have poison in my system. I've never really felt that way before. It's like I physically feel how toxic he was."
Hector held Joey. She snuggled with him. The canine spoke, softly, stroking her hair. "But now, you can change that. You're free to do whatever you wish. His opinion doesn't matter anymore. What you do with your life is no longer his concern. It's going to take time; poison leaves slowly, but the longer you are away from him and don't think about him, the easier it will become. Soon, he'll just be a memory and a lesson."
"I hope you're right."
Hector nodded. "I love you, Josephine. I'll help you get past this. I'll even talk to Alessandro, myself, if I have to. You won't deal with this alone."
Joey smiled for the first time in days. "I love you, too, Hector. I don't tell you enough how grateful I am to you."
Hector gently kissed Joey's lips. "It's no problem. Anything for you, my love."