“I can’t be here,” she said, as she tried to squirm away from him. She made it all the way to the door before his words froze her in place.

“Don’t leave me,” he said. He sounded like that little boy who had begged his mother to stay all those years ago.

She didn’t turn to him, but it was like he was Spider-Man and had spit webs at her feet to hold her in place. She breathed, rapidly, her chest heaving up and down as he continued. “I swear to God I will spend the rest of my life loving this pain away. This is as bad as it will ever get.” She tensed, because his voice was drawing closer, as he closed the distance between them. “Don’t leave me, Alani.” His lips were on the back of her neck now and she closed her eyes, shuddering, as he wrapped one arm around her body. It was a moment in time that stood still, as Alani let herself love him one last time because she knew this was over. Alani knew the moment her eyes fluttered open this thing between them was a wrap. She paused, and they stood there for a few seconds, acknowledging the end of a love they didn’t even get to explore.

She snatched out of his grip and headed for his front door. She felt him following her. She didn’t even look back at him as she said, “Stay the hell away from me.” She pulled open the door, leaving it wide open, as she walked away.