Ultimatum

"I don't think I'm ready for all of that," I said quietly.

I didn't have to see him in the dark to know that his face fell. I hopped off of the jungle jim and started to walk away. It was never meant to be, and we both knew it. We lived different lives, and we knew that from the start. I felt his hand on my wrist, and I looked at the sky. He slowly turned me around, and I saw his eyes glistening with tears under the streetlights.

"I didn't mean to rush you. I just-- It's been--"

"This has been nice, Troy. Honestly, I've had a lot of fun. But I don't think I can do another fling that lasts a couple weeks that I am scrutinizing over trying to figure out where exactly things went wrong."

"It won't be like that, babe."

"I'm not your babe," I snipped.

"I'm sorry, Ayana. I just thought you'd be ready for that."

I shrugged and tried to pull away. Though he wasn't holding me tight, he wouldn't let me break free.

"You don't really want to leave, huh?" he said. "You're just scared."

I rolled my eyes. He chuckled, seemingly knowing how I was.

"Believe it or not, I'm scared to. Terrified. I mean, I've already been with a lot of girls. I've had relationships before too. I just never wanted them to get as far as I can imagine things going with you. And honestly, it terrifies me to think that I may not get that chance."

"Why wouldn't you? You can say the right thing to make all of this stop and you fricking know it."

I could feel the tears. He pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arms around me. A kaleidoscope of temperatures swirled in my stomach. I felt his soft lips press against my forehead then his arms tightened. The butterflies in my stomach exploded, sending splatters of acid around my insides. He kissed me again and wiped the tears from my eyes.

"I'm not like everyone else, Ayana. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

I sobbed, not because of what he said, but because I just knew it was another lie.