It was an unusually warm winter day, warm enough to be considered spring except for the breeze with the slightest bite. She wrapped her coat around herself a little tighter and let her thoughts drift. The multiple conversations of the cafe blurred together into a gentle hum, the perfect background noise that provided just enough sound but not enough to pick out individual words. She took note of the dust motes dancing in the rays of sunlight that cut through the open windows and relished the warmth, blinking languidly. It would’ve been the perfect date weather, except this date was less than perfect. 

    Sighing softly, she turned her attention to examining her boyfriend seated across from her. His smile, big and gummy with a dimple marking his cheek, would’ve once been considered cute to her. Now it was childish, too often used to hide feelings and smooth over matters. His tenacity, something she once admired and strove for, was now stubbornness, a quality she grew tired of during their increasingly frequent quarrels. He said something, laughing out loud, and she realized then that he had told a joke. She frowned, irritated, her brows creasing and marring her perfect features. His laugh came across as too loud, too boisterous; she once considered it hearty and genuine, a full-body laugh that shook his shoulders. He must’ve noticed her expression as he leaned in close, hands grabbing hers in concern. 

    She withdrew her hands coldly, not wanting any physical contact with her boyfriend. His attentiveness and doting nature were major brownie point during the early stages of their relationship but were now stifling, too close, too much hovering from him. She felt coddled, weakened by his constant care, and she hated it. She blankly noticed his lips move, forming words that her ears failed to hear and focused on him.

“Babe, is something wrong? What can I do?”

    That was the final straw. She was better than being that girl who lived only for her man, did everything for her man, lived her life for her man. Chair screeching against the stone floor, she stood up abruptly. She was duly aware that things appeared to be in slow motion. Glancing around the cafe, she noticed the eyes of several patrons focus on her, the gentle humming of the cafe swelling then petering out into awkward silence as more and more people became aware of the commotion she was creating. The sunlight was no longer welcoming; it was too hot, making her uncomfortably warm and sweaty under her coat. Looking back at her boyfriend, she saw his eyes, wide with surprise, hand reaching out toward her but frozen in hesitation. Subconsciously, she thought about all the features and qualities that she had fallen in love with, and now they were the reasons why she was falling out of love with him. She laughed to herself bitterly.

Such is ing life.

    Brushing aside her boyfriend’s outstretched hand, she grabbed her bag and paused just long enough to mutter one sentence before striding out the door. 

“I’m breaking up with you.”