My mind was racing, I knew he could see my tear stained face, my puffy eyes. I stepped back so he could come in and looked down at my bare feet. A suitcase was on the bed, half packed, my walls empty, boxes packed and half packed all around the edge of the small room.

He stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. "Elly, what's wrong?" His eyes moved around the packed up room and stopped on the suitcase.

"Nate and I broke up." I lied, he still had no idea that we’d broken up months ago, so it was time to get it out and save face because the real reason was too painful to admit. I wiped at my eyes and went to my dresser, continuing to pack.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Elly." He kind of stood there awkwardly.

"What's up? Are you here because Jen told you that I came by?"

"You came by? Jen didn't tell me anything about that."

I turned from the dresser, bras in my hands and stayed across the room from him. I smiled, hoping like hell that it looked sincere, "So congratulations are in order. You're getting married."

“Yeah, and I guess you heard the other news too, huh?" he asked.

I shook my head slowly. "What other news?"

Those dark eyes of his looked towards the floor. "Jen is pregnant."

My mouth dropped open. "But, I mean, that's not why you're marrying her."

"So, are you really upset about, Nate? Or is it something else?" He wasn't looking at me.

Why would he be asking me that? Did he come to my final? Did he hear my song? I wasn’t going to ask him, not now that I knew he was marrying Jen, had been planning it long enough to find a ring for her finger.

“Don’t be stupid, of course I’m upset over Nate. So tell me, is that the only reason you're marrying her?" I was looking right at him, but Kent still wasn't looking at me.

"I wanted to come tell you and hoped you would be happy."

"I'll be happy, but only if you are." I stayed across the room, not trusting myself to stop touching him if I started. "Are you happy?"

"I'm happy." The words sounded sure, but I swore there were tears in his eyes.

"Are you about to cry because of how happy you are?" I motioned to his eyes. My sappy tears were clearing up as my anger pushed through. Anger at him for lying to me. Anger at him for being so careless and knocking Jen up. He ruined everything! He always did.

Finally his eyes looked up at me and his tears seemed to be threatening to spill. "Why are you being so mean, Elly?”