The Struggle For Love

Chapter 11.5

*Stacie's POV*
        “Alex, I have a new boyfriend now. Usually when someone becomes single, they have two options to choose from: either stay single or find themselves a new boyfriend. I found myself a new boyfriend, Alex. As far I can tell, he’s been a great boyfriend. Ayden has been here for me through thick and thin. We talk out everything when we have problems; we don’t swim away from them. Ayden shows me everyday how much he loves me. He has gotten to know my family instead of always swimming away from every chance he got. In fact, he met my family the day we started dating,” I say sternly while also trying to rub Ayden a little in Alex’s face, so he knows I have a good merman.
        “When was that?” Alex asks glumly.
        “The day you broke up with me, I was kneeling on the ground bawling my eyes out when Ayden appeared to ask if I was okay. That was the best day of my life,” I say smiling happily. Alex finally frowns. “It was weird; I thought that was the worst day of my life, but it turned out to be the best day of my life all thanks to you. If you never broke up with me, I would never have been able to catch up with Ayden and start dating him. What I thought was my biggest regret was finally resolved. I was able to tell Ayden how I have felt all these years, and he told me his feelings in return.” I grab Ayden and pull him closer to me making sure to rub against his arm. Alex watches my every movement and glares. I look up at Ayden grateful. Ayden gazes down at me smiling cheekily. “Thanks, Alex. Thanks a lot,” I whisper.
        “Yeah, Alex. You gave me a great girl. I don’t know how I could ever repay you. The distress you caused her, I would never have seen Stacie without it. The moments we shared wouldn’t have happened without the pain you caused her. In a way, I’m happy you broke her heart the way you did,” Ayden states thankful forcing me to instantly hug him tightly feeling the warmth of his skin bounce off of mine.
        “I want to take all that back though! You’re my girl, and I’m going to fight for you! I’m not making that mistake again, Stacie! You will be mine once again, and we will live happily forever after! I will do whatever it takes!” Alex screams storming out the door. Both Ayden and I just shake our heads in disbelief as he does so.
        “So, that was the guy who broke up with you the day we met,” Ayden says continuing to shake his head in disbelief that everything just happened.
        “Yep, we’ll probably see him again. This most likely won’t be the last of him.”
        “I still don’t understand why he broke up with you though. I mean, how could he break up with you? You’re you! You’re the most down to earth, humble, sweet, caring, loving, funniest mermaid I know! That’s only scratching the surface! It’d be extremely hard to break up with you, Stacie. I understood bits and pieces from that, but I still don’t know why he did. It sounded like your parents were involved?” Ayden asks curiously. I sigh.
        “I knew I was going to have to tell you sooner or later.” I take a deep breath. Ayden only stares at me in patience. “Where do I begin?” I mumble to my myself wonderingly.
        “From the beginning.” I look at him shocked. “Start from the beginning.” I nod.
        “For starters, Alex is in a couple of my classes. One day in our history class, our teacher assigned a project. Alex was my partner. I admit I was disappointed; Alex never talks in class or to anyone. Alex is a loner. I never really noticed him before then. When I sat by him, he ignored me and everything I said. I did not want him as a partner, but our teacher said we couldn’t switch. The next day before I sat by him, Alex was already sitting by me. I ignored his presence and kept getting all my things out not ready to work with him. Surprisingly, he started talking to me apologizing for his silence the day before. We got to know each other the third day; I learned many things about him. Weirdly, I felt like I could open up to him even though I barely knew him. After class, he asked me if I wanted to work on our project at his house. At his house, we worked on our project for a while, but we got bored quickly. Soon, I showed him a place very special to me. We shared our first kiss there. He told me how he felt about me and asked me to be his girlfriend. It was the best day of my life. The next day, Alex drew a picture of me; he’s very talented, but he doesn’t think so. That same day, I met his evil, corrupting parents. They sent cold shivers down my tail. After only a few minutes, I left. The day after that unforgettable experience, Alex broke up with me. He said it was for my own good. I felt like my heart had just broke into a billion pieces, and I wouldn’t be able to put it back together. I thought everything was going great between us. All the nights before that evening, I would have cherished for a lifetime. Now, I can’t think about them without wanting to throw up. Once he broke up with me, I raced out his door not being able to look at him any longer. The emotions I felt every time I saw him changed. I use to get sea horses; now, I only feel queasy,” I say gripping my chest as I remember every experience we shared. My hands clench in rage. My nails dig into my skin. I ignore the piercing pain. How dare he want to come back to me! How dare he think I wouldn’t have moved on!
        “So, Alex broke up with you why?” I snap back to reality.
        “Alex’s parents are very wealthy. My mom works for them; in fact, she had just got a promotion. They told him that if he didn’t break up with me, my mom would be out of a job. The money she makes is the only thing we live off of. We would have been out on the street if she lost her job,” I clarify.
        “So, Alex realized this? That’s why he broke up with you. He didn’t want to see your family out on the street. That explains it,” Ayden says staring off into the distance. It sounds like he’s talking to himself, so I leave him alone. Suddenly, Ayden whips his head towards me. “Did Alex seem saddened when he broke up with you? Was he crying, frowning, something? Did it look like tears were building up in his eyes?” I think back.
        “Yeah, why? He still broke up with me. Alex could have fought for our relationship, but he gave into their demands instead. If our relationship was worth anything to him, he would have fought for it no matter the circumstances.”
        “Don’t you get it, Stacie? Alex only did it so he wouldn’t see your family out on the street! From what I can see, he cares deeply for you! If he saw another way to save your family and your relationship, I believe he would have done it! Besides, Alex came back for you! He wants to fight for your relationship! Stacie, he’s seen the error of his ways and wants to correct them!” Ayden snaps at me.
        “What are you saying?” I ask not really wanting to know the answer. Tears are already forming in my eyes. Ayden sighs.
        “We’ve had some good times, some great times. With Alex though, you’ve had tons of them that I could never compete with. You guys have a background. As much as I know you love me, I think you love Alex more. We should never have gotten together the same day you guys broke up; you just broke up with him, Stacie. I should’ve let your feelings about him pass. I should’ve given you time to mellow out. Now, you’re confused about who you love. I can tell you love Alex more, so I’m not going to stand in your way. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll always be here. If it does, I’m still going to be here. We were friends before, and we can still be friends now. The relationship we shared doesn’t need to be an obstacle in order for our friendship to prosper.”
        “But, I love you! Even though Alex was my first, doesn’t mean I’m going to let him be my only! I still want to be with you, Ayden! Don’t you want to be with me?” I scream as tears rush out of my eyes. Ayden frowns before smashing his lips against mine. He pulls away leaning his head against mine. His eyes remain closed. His breathing brushes against my skin. My heartbeat quickens skipping a beat or maybe even two. I take a deep breath holding all the air in. Sea horses swim around in my stomach excitedly.
        “Of course, I want to be with you.” Ayden kisses my nose. I smile. “Just not like this.” I widen my eyes in shock. I push Ayden away forcefully not wanting for him to touch me. A couple tears flow out before I quickly close my eyes hoping to avoid even more tears. I look away from Ayden’s face which only reminds me of all the memories I never want to lose. Suddenly, Ayden’s arms wrap around me soothingly. I try to push him away, but it’s too hard. Ayden is too big. I give up and just cry into his shoulder that feels so much like home. There is a spot just right for me; it feels as if the ocean made this spot for me. The ocean knew I would be here some day.
        “If you want to break up, then fine. I won’t promise I’m going back to Alex though. I’ve already had my heart shattered twice now, why would I want it shattered one more time? A better question is why would I want it shattered by someone who broke it in the first place?”
        “Fine, I can understand if you don’t want to go back to him immediately. I know sooner or later you will go back to him though. Your love is strong; either he’ll come to you or you’ll come to him.” I groan making Ayden smile.
        “I’m tired.” Ayden nods as I turn around facing the wall of my hospital room. Ayden gets up off of the bed I have become so accustomed to. I glance up at his body walking away from me. “Wait…” I mutter before thinking.
        “Yes?” I gulp feeling uncomfortable.
        “Don’t leave me?”
        “I could never. I’m just going to turn off the light, so you can get some better rest.” I nod. Ayden turns off the light surrounding me in darkness.
        “Ayden?”
        “Hmm?” I jump a little hearing his voice close.
        “I know we just broke up and all, but do you think you could, maybe, lay down next to me?” Silence. I frown. “I’m sorry, it was a dumb question.”
        “No! I mean sure, I can do that for you. Even though we are no longer dating, it doesn’t mean I no longer love you. You are my number one girl outside of my family; that will never change, Stacie. I do and forever will love you.”