Chapter 13: Breaking Up

I hope my acting skills are perfect.

Why?

Because I'm breaking up with Takeshi Kaito today. It has to look believable and real. That's the difficult part. How am I supposed to feel sad when I'm not even dating him in the first place? I just can't muster sadness and depression and desperation in one take. I need to rehearse. I need to practice. I need more time. Only two mere days have passed since I ate dinner with the Kaito's. I do not think Takeshi is ready to. I'm afraid I am going to start laughing in the middle of our break up scene.

In the end, we decided to break up the 'normal' way.

Not so public, but not so discreet.

Just right.

Regretting not taking any drama classes at the moment. My improvisation is pretty good, but everything else is just plain crappy. There's a significant reason why I never bothered auditioning for any plays. I have one major flaw when it comes to the art of acting. When put in the center of attention, I tend to forget my lines. Blame it on stage fright, but I just cannot do it. Don't misunderstand. I do have excellent memory. Nerves just get the better of my self being. It's a bad habit and you know what they say... Bad habits are always hard to break.

For the time, we decided after school. During lunch time would be too dramatic and too cliche. At least after the school hours, there will be less people. Plus, most of the teachers will be gone in their classrooms marking exams or planning their next lesson plan. Much better than during those busy lunch hours where teachers and students are busy socializing in the hallways. As I mentioned before, I hate being center of attention. That doesn't necessarily mean I am the quiet and shy type. Honestly, I act more social with the people I'm comfortable with. If you throw me into a room of random strangers, don't expect me to instantly initiate the conversations.

Nervously, I watched the second hand tick on the clock.

Only a few minutes until 3:00 PM.

Only a few minutes until I have to break up with Takeshi.

Try to muster all those depressing emotions within you. It's not working. Damn it, at this point, the whole plan will crumble to ashes. It will all be my fault. I don't want that to happen. I don't want to be in this fake relationship anymore. Hey, it's working! I'm starting to feel the sad vibes bubbling inside me. This is great improvement! Without me knowing, I've been tapping my foot against the floor the whole time. See? It's the nerves I tell you.

The teacher dismissed her students and I rushed outside, clutching my textbooks tightly. Swimming through the mob, I reached my locker and quickly opened it. I shoved my textbooks in my locker and pulled out my backpack. Glancing at my locker mirror, I checked for any boogers or dry skin. Gotta look nice, right? It wouldn't be nice if I was screaming at Takeshi and a booger randomly fell out of one nostril. Talk about awkward moments. Running a hand through my hair, I gently touched my warm cheeks.

You have got to calm down, Thalia.

It's going to easy as pie, okay? Nothing to worry about. So, heart, I would really appreciate it if you could just slow down a tiny bit. By that, I mean right now. At this exact moment. Thanks, heart, for not listening to me at all. I know you love me so much and acknowledge the fact of how much I hate you.


Dark blue hair.

I tapped Takeshi's shoulder making the most doubtful face I could.

There were some students around us. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Elise - the French girl from my gym class - chatting to Justin at his locker. They were laughing and looking happy to be in each other's company. Those two are looking awfully close. I think I smell a scent of blossoming love from their direction. The rest of the people were either tenth graders or ninth graders who I don't recognize.

"We need to talk... Takeshi," I avoided looking at his stormy gray orbs.

Some people watched us, thinking they weren't being watched back. Audience? Check. Boyfriend? Check. Perfect time to break up? Check. Acting skills? Might want to work more in that area.

"What is it, Thalia?... You can tell me anything," he reassured, staring intently at my tense figure.

Awkwardly, I clutched a piece of his white V-neck and quietly said, "We need to talk about us. I'm going to be straight forward. I don't think... we're working out anymore. Don't get me wrong. I do love you but I'm not in love with you so I guess I'm more of a lesbian than we thought. The first time I met you, Takeshi, there was this spark. Now, it's just gone. A flame doused with water."

At this point, the entire hallway was completely quiet. Except that one guy in the corner who stifled a laugh when I said that last line. Everybody's eyes were glued on to the two of us. A cloud of tension hovered around us.

"A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies. And I think what we got on our hands is a dead shark. Let's just be friends. P-please..." I continued, holding his shirt tighter.

Takeshi remained silent for a couple seconds.

Miserably, he whispered, "I don't understand, Thalia. Tell me what I did wrong. I'll fix it. Tell me what I lack and I'll gain it. Tell me what you're wishing and I'll make it come true. I care about you too much to let you go now. You should know that better than anyone. Are you asking me throw this all away?... J-just like that?..."

Unconsciously, water began to form in my eyes. Slowly, I pulled my hand back and let my arms stiffly hang perpendicular to my legs. Lukewarm tears trailed down my cheeks. My vision turned slightly fuzzy. I felt overwhelmed with an unknown sensation. Why the hell am I crying? This wasn't part of the plan. I wish I can disappear. Can Takeshi do that for me? I doubt it.

Before I knew it, Takeshi tenderly wiped my tears with his thumbs and brought me into a hug. His shirt started to become wet with my tears.

So much for the 'casual' break up. This is turning into those dramatic break up scenes found in television drama shows.

"You can break up with me all you want," his voice started to crack," but, please, don't cry in front of me. You're killing me here, Thalia."

I nodded and stood frozen in his hug. That was when realization hit me. I actually am going to miss acting as Takeshi's poser girlfriend. I won't get his hugs or hold his hand or warmth anymore. This isn't even a legitimate relationship for crying out loud! I don't understand why I'm feeling like this. Everything feel so real. Eventually, he let go of me and cracked a sad smile.

"... We are still friends, right?"

Sniffling, I answered, "Of course."

Elise's loud sounds of sobs were heard from the left as the blue haired teen left the hallway.

My mind wandered off to thoughts of Jack Frost possibly disappearing. I thought life couldn't have gotten any worse. It just did.


A/N: Angst, angst, angst! I feel sad from just writing that. It's like I actually made Thalia and Takeshi break up as a real couple. But, they're not so there's still hope! The climax is nearing. I can feel it in my bones. *dramatic music starts rolling* What will happen to the hot Jack Frost? Will he seriously disappear from the face of this planet? Will Rapunzel commit suicide and follow her husband's footsteps? Just kidding. Stay in tune for Chapter 13 to find out! However... there is a price to pay.

2 reviews? Thank you to everybody who has reviewed so far! You guys are amazing.