Smallest Bits

I'm Sorry, But...

"I'm sorry, but we're done."

Sam moved Jacob's hand away from her waist, directing it back to the crutch that rested against his side. She dropped her arm and turned her attention back towards the curtains that led to the main stage, anywhere aside from his eyes. Jacob felt the muscles in his throat twitch.

"What? No..." He swallowed – or at least tried to – shaking his head to clear the murky fog of those words. "We always work things out Sam. I forgave you, didn't I? I said I'm past it, I'm not mad-"

"No."

Sam looked back as Jacob inched closer, keeping her distance and running her hand against her braided hair.

"I don't want you to forgive me. I want you to accept that what I did was wrong. I broke the trust of our relationship, that shouldn't be just forgiven within a day."

"But... I'm not mad anymore," he said, trying to prop himself up so he could stand straighter and maintain a sense of composure. His heart was pushing against his chest with every beat. "You didn't even do anything, its fine. We'll work past it."

"No Jacob." Sam gripped her braid and squeezed it between trembling fingers, refusing to look over to meet his gaze.

"I'll do better this time... I'll take you on dates, out to the movies, to dinner. I'll watch every performance, I'll talk about my feelings, I'll-"

"I said we're done."

She wrapped an arm around her stomach and tightened her lips. Her face stung with a hot flood of pins and needles, rushing down her cheeks and watery eyes. She couldn't cave now, not when her biggest opportunity was right up those steps. Jacob stared her down in silence, a layer of heavy concrete settling in his head and weighing him down. He didn't say a word, and he didn't think he could. Words strangled his neck and gripped his lungs.

"Sam... Please..."

"Go home, Jacob. Your parents miss you."

Writing Prompt

Write an exchange that begins with the words, 'I'm sorry, but...' What comes after the 'but'? What does the other character say in response? Let them carry on for a while. And a while after that. Keep them talking.

Authors Note

Poor establishing of the scene, coulda done better there.