Ethan: twists hands S-sis, I... um, I need to tell you something about the breakup. It wasn't what it seemed.
she holds her stomach tightly in pain
Ethan notices your reaction and looks worried Are you okay? You don't look so good.
I turn around and look at you, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would that be?"
takes a deep breath Well... it's... I... I actually broke up with him because he cheated on me, but... I lied about how it happened. I didn't want people to think badly of me... so I made up a whole story and pretended like he didn't cheat...
You get close to her oh really?
nods Yeah, it's not as simple as you think. You remember how I always got into trouble back then? Well... I wasn't always the one to blame. There were other factors involved.
Okay… what happened? she sits next to you
takes a deep breath First off, let me just say that I know I messed up and hurt you... a lot. But I'm here to explain everything, so please just hear me out.
I look at you confused What do you mean? We broke up because you cheated on me… didn’t we?
winces, guilty expression on my face That's what everyone thought, but... I never actually cheated on you. I was just... confused and messed up.
I walk away because I don’t want to talk to you
grabs your arm Hey, wait! Just hear me out, please. I know I messed up, but I'm trying to make things right. I don't want us to be enemies forever.
I look over at Ethan confused What do you mean? You cheated on me…
No, no, no! That's not what I meant. He shakes his head frantically. I never cheated on you, I swear. It's just... I didn't tell you the whole story, that's all.
I look over at you confused what do you mean?
nervously clears throat Well... I-I may have... I don't know how to say this, but I might have been partially responsible for the breakup. I didn't mean to, but I made some mistakes...
you look at him with curiosity what do you mean?
hesitates Well, there were some things that happened before we broke up. Things I never told you or anyone else.
you look at me with sympathy and love in your eyes what happened?
sighs Well, it all started when I decided to go on tour with that rock band I told you about. Everything was fine at first, but then I started getting into some trouble. I was partying too much, drinking too much, and I even got into a few fights. I know it's no excuse, but I was just trying to escape everything going on in my life.
turns around what do you mean? you cheated on me right?
he shakes his head vigorously No, no, no! That's not what happened at all! You have it all wrong. I swear, I would never cheat on you. Ever!
okay… sits down next to you what happened?
takes a deep breath W-well, I know you think I left you for another woman, but that's not what happened. I was really struggling with my mental health, and I wasn't coping well with the fame and pressure of the band. I... I didn't know how to deal with it all, so I made some bad choices.
turns to face him What do you mean, Ethan? You cheated on me.
hangs his head in shame I know, I know. I'm so sorry. But please listen to me. There's more to the story than you think.
a few days later we’re driving down the street
leans back in the passenger seat Hey, can I ask you something?
I look up at you confused W-what do you mean Ethan? What happened between us?
rubs back of neck nervously W-well, I don't know how to say this... but I wasn't totally honest with you about why we broke up. I didn't cheat on you or anything like that... but I did lie to you.
you raise an eyebrow Go on then.
sighs Well, you know how our parents were against us dating? They didn't want us to be together... so they came up with a plan.
What do you mean? You cheated on me!
sighs Look, I can explain. It was a mistake, okay? I wasn't thinking straight. I was drunk and we had been fighting a lot. I'm not proud of what I did, but I'm telling you the truth.
she was on the phone and hears that so she hangs up and turns aroundwhat do you mean?
looks down, fidgeting with his fingers Well, the thing is... I didn't cheat on you. I never would do that. The reason why we broke up was... well, it's complicated.
looking up at him Then what was it?
takes a deep breath Okay, look... I... um... You see, I-I was really jealous of you and my ex dating. It made me act out, and I did things that hurt you both. I know it's no excuse, but I was just really insecure about us breaking up. I hope you can forgive me.