Goodbye

He hated the silence, and wished he could say to her what he planned to say right then and there without the dismay he expected would follow. She loved the silence, but hated knowing that it tortured him so much. Talking was nice, but to her simply speaking only drew out mindless thoughts. It was action that she loved; rising to a stance and slapping those that asked for it... maybe leaving those that didn't.

He spoke first, stuttering a cough that eventually formed into words.

"I like you a lot..." He paused. "I mean, our time together has meant everything to me. I couldn't ask for a better girl to be with-" She shifted in her seat, opening her mouth carefully before slipping out the one word that rested on her mind.

"But..." He caught her eye and froze.

"What?" His voice carried to her ears and she sank. She was certain she just killed him, and regret began to itch so she spoke once again.

"I don't know what to say." She locked back onto his eyes and a switch flipped her thoughts. She saw relief... at least she thought; perhaps only hoped.

He inhaled and prepared what he would say, relief settling inside of him. It seemed that leaving her might come easier than he had thought.