Tenth Grade was Fun!

32. THE TALK

Nikhil's eyes widen for a second before he rolls off me and starts laughing while I sit up with a straight face.

"Nice one...I...I almost bel— believed you." He chokes out as his laughter subsides.

"Nikhil I'm serious." I say hesitantly.

"Yeah, and I'm batman." He deadpans.

"Nikhil stop this! We're over okay? I wanted to talk about that." I burst.

"Whoa, whoa, okay. Well is that why you kissed me like that?" He questions skeptically.

"I— I didn't— look, we can't be together anymore." I stand up from the bed.

"Wait, Ritu, what the hell? We were doing well. What happened? Did I do something?" He rants as he stands with me.

"No, no. We, this—us—isn't working out. We're better off without each other." I manage to make up a reason.

Seriously? Try a good reason. He ain't gonna buy this.

"Ritu, what're you talking about? You said you love me." He runs a hand through his hands.

"I— I lied. I tried, but I can't, okay? I don't feel anything for you."

Lie, lie and lie. Wow, would you look at that?

Shut. Up.

He never said he loves me back anyway.

"Look at my eyes and tell that. I know you don't mean that. I don't know what sick prank this is but seriously Ritu—"

"Don't call me that. Not anymore." Taking a deep breath and meeting his eyes with mine, a stoic look on my face, I continue, "I don't love you; never have and never will."

Nice. You managed.

If you wanna keep nagging at me then you better fuck off—

Whoa, that wasn't sarcasm, I swear—

I. Said. Fuck. Off.

He takes a very deep breath, his face full of hurt and hopelessness that I look away from him to stop myself from telling him everything.

Putting up a fake smile that I know very well, he speaks, "Okay, well, so we'll be best friends then. I said I'll support you no matter what, no questions asked, so we'll be best friends."

"No...we should just— stay away from each other."

If I thought his face couldn't show any more hurt, I was definitely in for a surprise.

His fake smile faltered, his face crippling in hurt.

"No, no, no, no, no. No, please don't do that. I'll be completely platonic with you I promise. Don't do that." He practically begs.

I shake my head 'no', my eyes still away from his.

"Ritu— Rithvika talk to me, tell me what's bothering you. Make me understand but don't do this please."

Can't he just do what I say?

"Nikhil, I said no. Besides, we'll be in different schools. It's not a big deal."

I'm getting better aren't I?

"Please, I know something's wrong, why won't you just tell me?"

Well, I can't!

This isn't working, I have to change tactics.

"Yes, something's wrong, and it's you." I start.

He's taken aback by my cold voice.