Page 17 of All My Broken Pieces

brother and sister will be here

and we’d love to see you.

Rolling my lips, I debate my options.

I could go back to the home that isn’t mine and wallow in my misery.

Or I could go to a family event and add more to my pain.

Although, thiscouldcount as one of my few obligatory visits.

Reading the text again, I make up my mind, typing out a reply.

Me

Sounds great. What time?

Her response is almost immediate. With a time set, I push back from the table and load up my bag. Turning toward the exit, I pull up the rideshare app and request a pickup. The app notifies me that my ride will be here in ten minutes, just enough time to grab a drink at the campus cafe.

Slipping my bag over my shoulders, I set off, my mind whirling with regret and nerves.

It feels like every decision I make lately isn’t the right one. That, despite how much I’mtryingto do the right thing, I’m just somehow making it all worse.

My phone buzzes again and I pick it up, spotting another text from Arriana. And, because I’m a glutton for punishment, I click on it.

My Love *black heart emoji* *kissing lips emoji*

I miss you too

My Love *black heart emoji* *kissing lips emoji*

Remember this? I’m

still your psycho baby

Below the message is a photo of the mug I bought her on our one year anniversary. The wordsmy psycho loverprinted on the ceramic, a bloodied knife resting below them.

My Love *black heart emoji* *kissing lips emoji*

I love you, mi vida.

Please, please just text

me back. Just once.

Locking the phone, I blink back tears. It hurts so much every time I read her words, but I can’t bring myself to tell her off. I can’t bring myself to break off all contact and block her number.

Because, even though I left, the truth is, I love her.

And I always will.

Chapter 6

Arriana

Me

I love you, mi vida.

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