Chapter 20

There’s a saying that women grieve breakups immediately but heal quickly, while men might take ages to realize their loss. Then comes the desperate backpedaling.

Aiden’s backpedaling arrived six months late, after a summer of casual dating and a quiet winter break. He suddenly became a constant presence in my life. I never discovered his excuse to Columbia for missing classes, but he kept appearing in California. Designer gifts materialized at my door—all of which I returned. He’d wait outside my dorm for hours, refusing to leave. If he spotted me, he’d follow me to class, to the dining hall, everywhere.

Jake was amused and irritated in equal measure. “You know, most girls don’t have their exes fly across the country to stalk them,” he’d joke, though I sensed his underlying worry.

Mrs. Carter called constantly, frantic that Aiden was risking academic probation, pleading with me to intervene. The irony wasn’t lost on me—the perfect son throwing everything away for the girl he’d once taken for granted.

Finally, I confronted him by the bay.

Aiden immediately erupted. “Why can Jake pursue you but I can’t? He’s known you for what, five minutes? I’ve known you my whole life. Nobody knows you like I do; nobody’s better for you than me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Really, Aiden? Have you forgotten everything you did? Did you ever truly consider my feelings? You just enjoyed having someone worship you, knowing I’d always be there regardless of how poorly you treated me.”

Hit with the truth, he cracked. “Yes, I messed up. I was young and stupid, thought the whole world was waiting for me. I didn’t want to be tied down. I owe you a real apology—I’m sorry, Brooklyn.”

His voice softened. “But even if you see me as a stranger now, don’t I deserve a chance to win you back? Since you’ve been gone, I can’t adjust to life without you. I can’t imagine not sharing everything with you anymore.”

The evening wind whipped around us as I carefully considered my response.

“You know what I learned after leaving? Real love shouldn’t feel like walking on eggshells. I can be myself now; my happiness doesn’t depend on someone else’s mood. Maybe what I felt for you wasn’t love—maybe it was just teenage naivety.”

He looked stunned. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. “But we had plans—college together, grad school, traveling the world. Are you breaking all those promises too?”

“You broke them first,” I said gently. “And I’ve found someone I actually want to share those things with now.”

His composure finally shattered, his eyes reddening. “Stop, please just stop.”

Seeing his pain, I offered one last piece of advice: “Maybe you don’t really love me. Maybe you just can’t stand losing. Aiden, it’s time for you to move on too.”

I didn’t wait for his reply. Jake was waiting across the street, and I ran to him.

He immediately intertwined our fingers. “Finally got rid of your ex? Did you tell him I’m your official spider-killer now?”

I laughed through threatening tears.

Looking back one last time, I saw Aiden still frozen by the water. Some people stay in your life forever. Others are just chapters in your story. Ours had finally reached its end.