EX'S & OH'S

“I lost all respect for you. Have a good life.”

Those were the last words my ex said to me before he called it quits.

Six years ago, I met a guy named Aaron. He went to the same school as me. He was tall, lanky, very well put together, and he was a goofball like me.

This was my soulmate.

Although there were a lot of things that I did not know about him, it didn’t bother me. We began hanging out, and things went well.

One night, we went to his grandparents' old property. We stayed the night, but I didn’t know they were still living there.

When I got to the apartment, it was raining outside. I told my family that I was going to a friend's house, but they knew that was a lie.

“Are you sure we’re in the clear?” I asked.

"Yes, I’m sure. It's late, we should get some rest,” Aaron said.

He kissed me and I was speechless. I turned over, placed the covers over my head and fell asleep.

In the morning, we woke up and were surprised to see that his mom and his aunt had been standing in the very room we were sleeping in. I got up in embarrassment and hurriedly put my things on. That should have been the first red flag.

Why didn't he at least give me a heads up?

They were upset because he didn't say anything about having company.

“Aaron, who is this little girl?” his mom asked.

Before I could respond, his aunt began to ask me all kinds of questions.

“How old are you? Where do you live?”

It felt like I was being interrogated, and the following days were filled with humiliation.

He later apologized to me for not letting me know what was going on, and he bought me my first bouquet of roses. I was livid.

“Do you seriously expect me to accept these flowers?” I said.

‘Please Rayvn, I'm sorry. It won't happen again,” he said while holding my hand.

Still fixated on his mistake, I took the roses, flipped them around, and hit him with the thorns. I didn’t stop until I saw that the petals on the flowers were gone.

“Do you feel better?” Aaron asked.

I didn’t say a word. I was trying to get myself together, before responding.

“I’m okay,” I replied.

Over the next few months, we hung out more. When I didn't want to go home, I would sneak into Aarons' house. And after weeks of coming over, his mom found out and continued to let me come over.

Time passes and I discover that Aaron might have a baby.

At the time, we were still talking but as friends. This broke my heart, but that didn't stop me from being around him and trying to support him the best I could. I went to tell my best friend, Alicia.

“I can’t believe this might be his child. What am I going to do?”

“When did this happen?” Alicia asked.

“I'm not too sure. I have something else to tell you,” I said shakily.

I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. I didn’t want to just leave him because I really liked him.

“God, sometimes I wish we never met,” I cried.

“It's okay to be upset with him,” Alicia said.

Four years passed, and we decided to make it official.

Aaron didn't want me to go off to college, because he felt that I was going to be sneaking around. Little did I know the tables were about to turn.

We had an argument a few days before, so I texted him to apologize.

“I’m sorry for how I treated you during our time away. It was not my intent to hurt your feelings,” I said.

I didn't get a response, so I left it alone.

A few hours later, I met him at the train station, and we went for a short walk. The freezing air made it hard for me to indulge in any conversation.

I asked, “Do you think we’ll be okay once I go back?”

He didn't respond.

“Hello, Earth to Aaron” I said as I waved my hands in his face.

When I finally got his attention, I saw someone text his phone.

“Sorry, my friend is texting me,” he said nervously.

I grabbed his phone and called the person to confirm their relationship.

“Hi, this is Aaron’s girlfriend. He is telling me that you are friends.”

“Well, actually, he’s been talking to me for the past two months now,” the girl said.

I was furious. I stormed off in tears. After all these years, the one person I was in love with

just... betrayed me.

Aaron jogged to try and catch up. “I'm sorry, Rayvn. I love you,” he pleaded.

I couldn’t look him in the face anymore. Feelings of anger and grief clouded my mind, and

all I saw was red. I stopped in my tracks and stomped.

“How could you? Am I not enough for you?” I cried.

He did not know what to say.

“Can we please just talk about this?” he pleaded again.

“I have nothing to say to you. In fact, I have no more respect for you,” I said.

The rest of the walk home was quiet.

I went back to college the following day.

Not expecting to hear from him, I received a text that changed my relationship with him.

“I lost all respect for you. Have a good life.”

I was left in disbelief. I had lost the love of my life forever.

Imani Moore moved from the busy streets of New York to the sunshine state of Florida. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at Barnes and Nobles looking for a good read in the true crime section or sometimes at home watching a good film with her favorite snacks. Instagram: @rayvnsflock