Chapter 5: The Future

It had been 5 whole weeks since Eda had kissed Xander at Grom, and not long after, he finally summoned the courage to ask her out, to which she gleefully said yes.

To say the last month or so was a wild ride, would be ever the understatement.

In Week 1, they started off slow, with Xander treating Eda to a night out at the Fair, molar coaster rides, rotten candy, the whole 9 Grudgby yards. Week 2 involved helping each other out with projects relating to their respective track, which resulted in some rather explosive results. Neither one of them got a decent grade. Week 3 was chockfull of Eda's constant scheming/vandalism/usage of various types of magic, leading Xander to develop an irritation of sorts. Not like Week 4 was any better, only difference was him falling behind in class due to his constant struggle to handle the fireball that is Eda. By Week 5, he came to a sudden realization:

Try as he might, Xander could no longer convince himself; he and Eda were simply not meant to be.

What's more, he was planning to ask Eda to become his girlfriend, but after spending a large amount of time in his room using his Oracle magic to explore all possible futures where both are equal parts happy only to come up dry, Xander decided that a morally unhinged teenage witch was no longer an option, so he told Eda to meet her in downtown Bonesborough after school so he can officially call it quits.

LATER THAT DAY…

Xander & Eda were outside a local cafe; unlike the cutie café located on the other edge of town, this one allowed teenagers inside or out in regards to seating.

After Eda found a table for them outside, Xander went in and ordered 2 Boba Tea-like drinks, which he soon brought out; a look of unease on his face.

"So Xander, what was it you wanted to talk to me about" Eda asked before she sipped on her beverage.

He sighed, then spoke in a calm voice "It's about us Eda."

"What about us? I thought things between us were peachy."

"That's just it. They're not. Eda, I've been thinking really hard about us, about whether or not our relationship could go any further; I even used my Oracle magic for good measure."

Eda was now squinting her eyes "And?"

"Eda, these last several weeks have been, unique to say the least. But after seeing your lack of empathy, remorse & shame in everything you do, I realized I simply cannot continue being your boyfriend."

This brought a look of pure shock on Eda; she was so sure Xander was behind her lifestyle, to see him explaining that was the very reason for their breakup conjured up a vortex of emotions.

"It's not you, it's me. I realize now that I want a girl that has a sense of right and wrong."

"So, you mean to say, you're dumping me for being myself is that it?" Eda asked with clear agitation in her voice.

Xander took a deep sigh "Sounds rather harsh when you put it like that but, yeah."

Finishing up the rest of her Boba-like tea, she flung the cup behind her, only for said cup to hit some blue-skinned Ogre with multiple eyes, not that he paid it any heed "You've got some nerve breaking up with me in my face, I'll give you that" she retorted crossing her arms.

"Eda, I'm not saying you ought to change just for my sake, all I'm saying is I just can't handle you anymore; I don't need to be an Oracle, gifted or otherwise, to know we don't have a future together, and I was foolish to think otherwise."

Xander grabbed his backpack & tea, lowered his head, and took a deep breath.

"Edalyn Clawthorne, though our time together was short, it is one I'll always cherish. More importantly, I wish you happiness, and someone who can handle you better than I ever could. With that I bid you, adieu."

As she watched Xander walk away, slowly out of her sights, she couldn't help but think about all the good times they had together; now it was all over as quickly as it began.

Once she got home and was in her room, she grabbed her pillow and started screaming and crying into it. This of course caught the attention of Lilith, who was on her way downstairs when she heard her little sister making faint noises.

"Eda? Is everything ok?" Lilith asked as she slowly stepped in.

She got her response, as Eda lowered her pillow to reveal her tear & snot ridden face "No Lily! Everything is NOT ok! Xander dumped me! Just because I was being myself! Now please leave me alone!"

Hating to see Eda in a such a state, Lilith rushed over, gave her a warm hug, and kept whispering reassurances in her ear.

"Shh shh, it's gonna be alright Eda."

After a good 5 minutes sisterly comfort, Eda broke the hug "Thanks sis. I, needed that y'now?"

Lilith simply shrugged "What are big sisters for?"

She then made her way to the door "Going downstairs to get some snacks. Want any?

Eda gave a small smile, her first one all day in fact "Some chips would be nice. With an apple blood box."

"Coming right up."

While Lilith was in the kitchen gathering the snacks, Eda was sitting on her bed, a lot on her mind.

"What does this mean for me, in terms of future relationships?"

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stretched on her bed, getting ready to sleep after some snacking.

"Well, whatever happens next, I REALLY don't want this to be a regular thing with me."

Little did she know, she couldn't have been any further from the truth.

HOOOO BOY! Y'ALL DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF A STRUGGLE THIS WAS TO FINISH UP! HOPE YOU CAN FORGIVE ME FOR PUTTING THIS OFF FOR SOOOO LONG! Now that that's out of the way, I hope you guys find at least a smidge of satisfaction, considering my story's done and over with.