One Shots

I'M NOT LEAVING YOU

It was another long, hard, day in New York for Matthew.

He had five job interviews that day and already knew he got rejected from all of them. He had just moved back to New York after the world of acting failed him. He felt like everything was against him. He came back to the small apartment he shared with his girlfriend, Stephanie. He collapsed on the couch. He felt so broken inside. He had been job hunting for so long now and got nothing. Then Stephanie came home interrupting him from his thoughts.

"Sweetie, I'm home." she said throwing her purse down on the table.

"In here." he said. Stephanie came in. She looked just as exhausted as he did. She was the only one who had a job that paid decently. Stephanie came over and gave him a peck on the lips.

"How was your day?" she asked.

"Ehh." he said as she sat next to him.

"No luck today?" she asked rubbing the back of his shoulder. He buried his head in his hands and shook his head no. Stephanie sighed, "Well I got my paycheck today. It's not much, but it will pay the rent this month." she said.

"Okay." said Matthew depressed.

"Look, I know things are hard, but we'll make it. You'll find a job soon." she said trying to comfort him.

"I don't know Steph, the recession is just so bad right now. No one will hire me." he got up in his anger and turned towards her. "I mean I got straight A's all throughout high school, I was valedictorian, I scored a perfect score on my SATs, I got a full ride to Duke University, and for what!?! To be the pathetic loser I am?"

"Hey woah woah woah, you are not a loser." said Stephanie getting up and walking towards him. "You are the smartest man I know. Do you know how many people would have given up by this point, but look at you. You're still going, and I love you for that."

"Well maybe you should love someone else." he said. Stephanie paused.

"Wait? What?" she asked. "Matthew, what do you mean by I should love someone else?" she asked. Matthew turned away from her. He took a breath and faced back.

"Stephanie I love you with all of my heart, but I am a jobless loser forcing his girlfriend to take care of both of us." he said exasperated.

"You're not forcing me to do anything." she said. He held up his hand to stop her.

"Yes I am, and I can't force you to live like this anymore." he was on the verge of tears.

"What are you saying Matt?"

"I think we should break up." those were the words he never wanted to say to her. He saw how broken she looked when he said them.

"What? Matthew no!" she said running up to him taking his shoulders. He pulled away.

"Stephanie, think about how much better your life will be without me. You could get out of this apartment and find a way nicer one. Have enough money to care for yourself. Find a man who can actually take care of you. We're in New York for pete sakes and you're working for a chemistry ferm. I'm sure you'll find a wonderful guy who is wealthy enough to care for both of you. Then you'll never have to worry about me again." he finished tearfully. She had tears too.

"Matthew, no! I can't leave you! I love you." she said.

"Stephanie I love you too, but this is the best for you. Look, I failed you. I'm a complete failure and I can't let you drag my dead weight around. Please don't make this harder than it already is." he said.
"No Matthew! I am not leaving you! Okay! Want to know what will happen to you if I leave you?! I'll tell you! You'll be out on the streets homeless! Then you'll be completely out of luck! I will refuse to let that happen even if I suffer! I will never forgive myself if you end up homeless!" she yelled through her tears.

"Stephanie, I don't want to do this! But these are the way things are!" he yelled back.

"Matthew you want me to be with some rich guy!?! Ha No! I refuse to leave you for some rich sleaze bag that once I marry him he'll force me to quit my job and stay at home raising kids all day only to divorce me a few years later when he goes for a much younger women whom he cheated on me with! Plus do you think some rich guy will leave me little love notes in my lunch bag for me everyday so I have something to look forward too? No!"

"Oh come on, Steph!"

"No! Look, when you first met me, did you give up when I wasn't interested, No! You kept pursuing me until I finally fell for you. And I'm glad everyday that I did. So don't you dare give up now like this!" she yelled.

"Stephanie, please. I just want you to be happy!"

"BUT I'M ONLY HAPPY WITH YOU, YOU IDIOT!" she screamed as she marched up to him and pulled him into a kiss. Matthew was hesitant at first, but then after a little bit he wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her back. He held her waist tightly lifting her off the ground to where her feet dangled above his. Then when they ran out of air they pulled away slightly. He sat her back down and they stared into each other's eyes inches away from each other's faces.

"Matthew."

"Yes?"

"If being together with you means being poor like this then okay. I'll choose being poor. Because I would rather live in these conditions like this with you than live the wealthy lifestyle without you. Matthew I love you. I will never leave you for anyone." she said.

"I love you too, Stephanie." then he pulled her into another kiss. After awhile they pulled away again and pressed their foreheads against each other.

"Don't ever say you're going to leave again. Because I can't live without you." she said with tears.

"Okay, I'm staying. I promise this won't ever happen again. I'll never leave you Stephanie. I can't live without you either." he said.

"Can we just hold each other for a bit?" she asked. Matthew pulled her tightly into his chest and held her, stroking the back of her head. She nuzzled into his chest as he laid his head on top of hers. "The only arms I have ever felt safe in are your's." she said into his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

"Don't worry. I'll never let go." he said.

Later that night they cuddled in bed looking on Matthew's laptop for jobs.

They were not having much luck, so they decided to take a break and go onto youtube.

"Hey look Extra Credits put on a new video." said Stephanie. "Looks like it's on something called tangential learning." she said. "What's that?" she asked.

"I don't know, let's find out." he said. After watching the video they saw how people can educate themselves on topics if they are exposed to something they enjoy.

"This is fascinating." said Matthew. "Let's see if a youtube channel has explored this some more." he said. After an hour of searching, they found nothing.

"Huh, that's odd. You would think someone would have done a youtube channel dedicated to this by this point." he said.

"Well maybe you'll be the first." said Stephanie with a yawn. Then a light bulb went off in his head.

"Hey, that's not a bad idea. I could make videos to prove how much I know about science and math using video games AND that I can edit and create web videos." he said. Stephanie looked up at him.

"See, I told you that you could figure something out." she said with a smile.

"Will you help me with it?" he asked.

"Of course." she said. Then she yawned again.

"Well sleeping beauty I say it's time to go to bed." he said. Matthew closed his laptop.

"Goodnight my love." said Matthew.

"Goodnight my sweetheart." said Stephanie. They kissed, snuggled up together, and went sleep.