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request for @_hopexbts_
[9th may 2020]
❥
"you did what?" barbara was frozen. she could barely move as she tried to register what ethan just said. his eyes were bloodshot red and his cheeks were tear-stricken.
"i'm... i'm so sorry, baby." he choked on his words and couldn't even look at her in the face.
"you cheated on me?" she said slowly and quietly as if it was fake and saying it loudly would make it real. ethan's eyes closed tightly as more tears fell. "ethan, you cheated on me."
"i'm so sorry. i don't know what got into me." barbara finally came to terms with what happened and couldn't stop the tears falling down her face. she stood up abruptly and took steps away from ethan. he looked up, scared to see what she would do next.
"you really have such little respect for me... that you wouldn't break up with me first?" she said quietly with so much hurt in her voice. ethan's heart was aching. he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him then and there.
"i do respect you-"
"no you don't! if you did then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now, ethan! how could you do that to me?" barbara exclaimed, wishing she was anywhere but there.
"i know, i know. i should've never done it. i hate myself, barbara."
"so you should! you disgust me, ethan!" barbara grabbed her purse, making her way to the front door. ethan quickly followed her and grabbed her hand.
"please don't leave."
"i'm not staying with you anymore. we're over." the words struck ethan hard and he looked dazed as barbara left the house.
7 months later and ethan was still absolutely devastated. it was a struggle to get out of bed. it was a struggle to film youtube videos. he couldn't even look at another girl after barbara. he's gone on several dates since the break up but he still hasn't gotten over her.
"e, can you please go get food? i'm so busy right now." grayson asked making ethan sigh annoyedly. he knew he couldn't say anything so he just nodded and grabbed his keys. he was silent as he drove to starbucks. after getting his drinks, he made his way out of the store and accidentally bumped into someone.
"i'm so sorry-" the girl spoke and after looking at ethan, she was in shock. ethan's eyes widened and he thought he was dreaming as he looked at barbara. barbara was in shock too but she quickly composed herself.
"barbara..." ethan spoke breathlessly. she smiled gently at him. the way she smiled made it seem like he didn't cheat on her or do anything wrong 7 months ago.
"hey ethan." her voice sounded amazing to him and he didn't know what to say.
"you look... you look good." he said as he admired her glowing face.
"thank you, you do too." she replied but she knew it was a lie. ethan knew it too. he didn't look good, he looked miserable because he was. ever since barbara left him, his life went downhill. he was wearing shorts and a tank top, he had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess. it seemed like he hadn't been getting sleep at all.
on the other hand, barbara looked absolutely stunning. she wore denim jeans and a white top, paired with sandals. her hair was tied up and she barely wore makeup yet she looked gorgeous.
"s-so, what are you here for?" ethan asked, trying to start a conversation with her.
"i'm here to see my boyfriend." those words sent a sharp pain through ethan's chest and he looked visibly surprised. if he wasn't surrounded by so many people he would've definitely cried.
"o-oh... you have a boyfriend?" he said, scratching the back of his head to hide the fact that he was extremely jealous and upset. she knew it would be hard for him to take the news but it was hard for her to move on. this was nothing compared to the pain barbara felt 7 months ago.
"yep..."
"i-i didn't think you'd move on so quick." he said while leaning back slightly on his heels. barbara's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"ethan, i was so miserable 7 months ago. you did the worst thing i could've ever thought you could do. it was the worst time of my life trying to move on but it also turned out to be the best thing you could do to me." barbara explained with a gentle voice, not wanting to hurt him any further.
"how?"
"if you didn't cheat on me 7 months ago, or even tell me... i'd still be miserable in a relationship with someone who didn't truly care about me." ethan felt an immense amount of guilt overtake his body, "but you did and i got to meet someone who would never even think about another girl. he truly loves me."
"i'm happy for you, barbara. i want you to know that i really am sorry. i never meant it to lead to this but i'm glad you're happy." ethan's words were genuine and he knew there was no point in pining over her anymore because she wasn't his anymore.
"you'll find someone soon, ethan. i just hope you don't mess it up with her." he nodded slowly, sending you a smile which barbara returned. her eyes caught someone behind ethan which lit up her face. "anyways, i've gotta go. i'll see you around?"
they said their goodbye's and ethan watched as barbara walked happily to a man he's never seen before. they embraced, locking lips for a split second. ethan could see him ask barbara about something. barbara smiled and said something, making the man nod and wave towards ethan.
he waved back and left the store with a feeling of disappointment. he was absolutely disappointed himself in ruining the relationship so bad that barbara was happy he cheated on her. he knew there was no turning back from this and decided to accept the fact that it would take him forever to move on.
