Hair, clothes, skin, wet.

Everything was wet and there was nothing I could do about it. It was nothing an umbrella couldn’t fix but, what good would that do if you didn’t have one? The aching in my feet was extremely prominent and it was making me regret wearing my platform boots. Still, the only thing I could do was deal with it.

I wouldn’t even be in this predicament if I brought my car. But no, he was very persistent on us driving one car, preferably his, insisting that it, “Saves gas”.

I sucked my teeth. He was the least of my worries and I didn’t even want to think about him. Not now, not ever. That was until his car turned the corner. a bitter laugh erupting in me.

“Just great,” I mumbled under my breath. The universe was definitely not on my side today.

My feet instantly moved faster, water splashing onto my already soaked jeans. Maybe if I fasten my pace, he wouldn’t see me.

Please, keep driving.

My plea was no use because his car was inching in my direction.

He slowed to a halt and peered out the window as he asked the fateful question: “Need a ride?”

I stopped and turned towards his open window.

Did I need a ride? He actually thought that I’d sit next to him after everything that happened in the last 10 minutes? How stupid did he think I was? Just the thought of being in the same presence as him made me sick.

“I know. Listen.” He said shaking his head. He looked almost mad at himself and he had every right to be. “Please. you’re soaking wet and it’s getting chilly. I don’t want you to get sick.”

I scoffed and continued walking, hoping I’d made it clear enough that I didn’t want to talk to him and he’d just drive away.

“Now you care about my well-being?” I asked, bitterness in my tone. It was almost funny to me. He had the nerve to make it seem like he cared. Make it seem like he had a little bit of human decency and loyalty. But he didn’t. It was all an act. It was all an act and I fell right into his play.

He had started moving by then, slowly to match my steps. I heard him sigh.

“I’m sorry, ok?” he said, raising his voice a little.

I kept my eyes forward. He was sorry. Yeah, yeah. Nothing I haven’t heard before. I didn’t want to talk anymore, nor did I want to since the beginning. I really didn’t have time for this. My eyes were starting to get droopy and my clothes were drenched and everything felt heavy.

My house was around the corner and I couldn’t be more thankful. Just the thought of getting out of these clothes, taking a nice, hot shower, and falling into a deep slumber as soon as my head touched the pillow, brought me tons of joy.

Only a couple steps away from my house, a soft, “I’m really sorry.” broke me out of my trance. The crack in his voice made me stop momentarily. Hoping he didn’t notice, I kept walking, nearing the front of my house. It took everything in me not to wrap my arms around him and reassure him that everything would be fine and that I forgave him. But I wouldn’t do that. He and I both knew.

I was standing in front of my house and he stopped his car. With my back facing towards him, my eyes made their way to the promise ring on my left hand. So many promises were made and not one of them was kept. I fiddled with it and finally, with a heavy heart… took it off.

I turned around, now facing him. His puffy eyes met mine and it made me feel sorry for him. Maybe that was my issue. I was too nice for my own good and people saw that as their opportunity to run me over.

I extended my arm and waited for him to take the ring.

He looked down at it with wide eyes. He knew that there was nothing he could do after that. I lowered my gaze to my feet. I knew I’d cave if I saw the hurt on his face. His fingers brushed against my palm and at last, the ring was out of my grasp.