By Your Side

When Tom came over to my place with one of his dumb, man movies in hand asking how a movie date sounded, I thought he was joking. I had actually laughed at him first, but then agreed because I couldn’t pass up a mini date with him. Although, his choice of movie didn’t interest me in the slightest bit so I made him pick out a different one.

“How about we watch…” he started while he was rummaging through my DVD collection trying to find a good one.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned when I saw his hand stop on American Pie.

“But!” He tried arguing.”

“Tom, that movie is so dumb. It’s basically all about se—“

He smirked and I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course that’s why he wanted to watch it.

“Fine.” He fake pouted and then decided on a Freddy Krueger movie instead since it was almost dark and he thought it would be “perfect”.

“Yeah, perfect for me to jump at and you laugh at me,” I mumbled as I threw the popcorn into the microwave while Tom chuckled.

Halfway through the movie, Tom and I both started getting bored. It wasn’t even scary and the whole thing was really cheesy.

I never thought that this movie date would turn into a massive popcorn throwing, tickle fight, though.

“Okay, okay I give!” I squealed when Tom pinned me down and started tickling my neck.

“I always win, babe,” he whispered seductively in my ear.

“Shut up, liar,” I teased and pushed him playfully.

He laughed but quickly got off and sat up with a sigh.

I propped myself onto my elbows. “What’s wrong?” I asked, becoming concerned.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. All the playfulness in his voice gone. He let out another sigh and I could tell he was going to say something I didn’t want to hear.

“Don’t tell me something that’s going to make me hate you.” I teased but then became serious when I saw the look on his face.

“…We’re leaving in two days.” He didn’t even make eye contact with me.

“You’re joking, right?” I couldn’t believe what I just heard.

He shook his head no and I became upset. “What the fuck, Tom?!” I shook my head and stood up. “I can’t deal with this right now. It’s not fair…” I began walking to the door when he grabbed my wrist.

“Please stop. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, me too. You know I just started falling for you again and now you’re leaving me? Why did you decide to tell me this now?”

He stood there in silence for a moment, still not making eye contact.

“Look at me, please.”

“I… I just wanted to tell you now so we could spend time together before I left. I didn’t think it would hurt and upset you this much. You knew we were just on vacation.”

“Then why, Tom?! Why did you let me get close to you again?” I didn’t bother holding back tears.

“Honestly I didn’t think we would.” He shrugged.

“So that’s it, huh?” Anger was rushing through me. “I turned out to be your fuck buddy while you were on vacation. Shows how much I meant to you. Thanks, Tom.”

“No, that came out wrong. It’s not like—“

I slammed the door behind me and stormed down the hall. Tears of frustration, sadness and anger now flowing freely. I didn’t even wipe them away. It was no use anyway.

I should’ve known he was the same little player that he was famous for. He made me believe he wasn’t like that, and I fell for it.