Torn

The Boyfriend

When Ennard showed up to see Ballora in her Gallery after work, she suddenly remembered that she was going to have to break up with him.

"Hey, Lori!" he greeted.

This was going to be kinda difficult, wasn't it? Dang it.

"Hey," she greeted back, the smile on her face registering as a nervous one to Ennard.

"Why do you look nervous?" he asked. "Something up? I feel like something's up."

"I just, um, I need to talk to you."

Ennard gave her a suspicious look before sitting down next to her on the stage. "Okay, what's up?" 

There was a long stretch of silence between them before Ballora actually started talking.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Ennard. I know that this isn't fair to you in any way, but I can't do this. I can't keep dating you." It seemed to take her even longer to choke out her next words. "I...I have feelings for somebody else."

"Oh?" The look on Ennard's face was kind unreadable. "Well, who is it?"

"Uh..."

"It's my sister, isn't it?" he asked, the look on his face becoming a knowing one.

Ballora blinked. "I...how did you know?"

Ennard laughed. He actually laughed. Ballora was in disbelief. 

"You think I don't see how you look at her? The way you talk about her? I sort of saw this coming. I really did. I saw the way you two became when we started dating. I saw this coming."

Ballora apologized again, and Ennard shook his head.

"It's fine, Lori. I get it." He side hugged her.

"You're being...verrryy understanding about this," Ballora mumbled quietly. She hadn't really expected such a reaction.

Ennard smiled sadly. "Well I mean, don't get me wrong, it hurts, but...deep down I always kinda knew that you liked my sister more than me. And I could tell the connection between us wasn't super strong. Plus I want you to be happy, and I want my younger sister to be happy too. It'll be easier to achieve that if I stop blocking the way, eh?"

"I...thank you. I hope you'll find the person who's perfect for you."

"I'm sure I will eventually. Anywho, did you...y'know, tell her before breaking up with me, or...?"

Ballora shook her head. "No, I haven't told her yet. I'm not even positive if she likes me back."

"I'm pretty sure she does," Ennard said casually.

"You think so?"

"I do."