I'm Letting Go of Us

Scheming Woman

I was thrown out of the venue, but I didn't try to get back in. I didn't even want to argue with Shawn. Instead, I rushed back to school to work on my thesis. Studying was how I would pull myself out of my misery.

Shawn's parents called me. They wanted to know where their son was, since he hadn't gone back the whole night. I played dumb and said I didn't know.

My agitation calmed down soon enough. Then, after I was done with work and came out of the campus, I ran into Helga. She was leaning against the entrance, waiting for someone.

And then she raised her head, staring at me. "I'm having dinner with Shawn. You coming?"

I ignored her, but she held up her arm and stopped me in my tracks. "Please, can you give Shawn to me?"

Well, that was an odd request. I grabbed her hand and swung it away. "You shouldn't be asking me. If you fancy him, win his heart back yourself."

It was just a slight push, but Helga took the momentum and fell to the ground, then she put on a crying mask. "I know you've been in love with him since forever, but love doesn't work like that. You're just mad he's breaking up with you just so he can date me, but that doesn't mean you can just put your hands on me!"

Furious, I raised my voice, "Don't you dare smear my name, Helga! You—"

"Queenie!" Shawn's voice echoed, louder and louder as he got closer. Angry, he shoved me away. "What are you doing?"

I stumbled, lost my balance, and fell down as well. A needle pierced my ankle, and the pain that shot through my leg kept me on the ground. I glared at him. "Are you mad? She fell down herself!"

With Shawn's help, Helga stood up and shook her head. "Yeah, I… I wasn't watching where I was going."

Shawn didn't believe her. "I'm not blind. You wouldn't be on the ground if she hadn't pushed you." He turned to me, his eyes filled with fury. "I can't believe you'd do this, Queenie."

"Calm down. I don't want you guys to fight because of me. What if your parents get mad at me? I don't want them to see me as a homewrecker."

Shawn held Helga's hand tightly. His heart went out to her. "My parents aren't stupid. They know right from wrong. And you!" He turned to me. "I've told you I'm holding her hand until death do us part!"

He came up to me and slapped on my face. "This is for Helga. You'd better know your place and stop stirring things up wherever you go."

My head tilted, and my ears rang. Blood was still spilling out of my ankle. The overwhelming pain was starting to numb me. "That wasn't what happened. You don't trust me, Shawn?"

Shawn snickered and answered coolly, "You've always been the troublemaker. Of course, I don't trust you. You won't get away with just a slap next time."

That was a subtle threat. I struggled to get back up, but I got back up in the end. With my head hanging low, I said, "Well, thank you, then."

Shawn frowned. "I hear no sincerity."

I held my tears back, bent over, and roared, "I'm sorry!"

Helga waved her hands. "It's alright. You don't have to do this."

She tried to pull me up, but Shawn stopped her. "You don't want to get too close to her, just in case she rubs off on you." He took her into his car and left me in the dust.

The exhaust choked me, and dust rained all over my skin. I stood in place, frozen like a statue for what felt like an eternity. The pain I felt was nothing.

What remained of my love for Shawn was smothered and burned to ash, leaving nothing behind.