“Love”

Adam had always hated the cold city of Trenton he lived in. It was a dark, run down city sitting just off the Delaware river. His house seemed more depressing than ever that day, and the reason wasn’t too difficult to comprehend - Genevieve. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on, until four months ago that is. She had long blonde hair, a slim frame, and stunning dark green eyes. From the first day they met, only a year ago, he thought she’d be the one. She was the one that would make him love Trenton. But not anymore. Genevieve was gone and he truly wanted nothing to do with her now.

Adam was heartbroken to say the least. He rarely ever left his house and turned to drinking as a way to escape the neverending pain he was in. It helped for a moment - feeling the warm burn of the whiskey tickle his throat, but nothing could distract him long enough to get him to completely forget about Gen. That's the sort of man he was now, and he’s accepted that. He’s a drunk who’s hung over a girl who never actually loved him. Pathetic.

He stumbled over to the window and stared down at the few people in the street. There were your typical drug addicts lighting up by the pub down the road. The owner of Big Mike’s Diner was locking up, ready to go home to see his family. Even the neighborhood “Bird lady” was out today, despise it pouring rain and being seven o’clock at night. The rain hammered down as if God himself were crying, probably out of pity for Adam.

He heard a familiar rhythm being drummer against his door. It was like the one Genevieve used to do when she came over, but it was a common tune so he didn’t think too hard about it. The knocking continued, and despite Adam being drunk out of his mind he decided he should probably answer it. He set down the half empty beer bottle he was sipping on his kitchen counter and put a hoodie on to cover whatever stains were on his shirt. He opened the door and there stood Genevieve. She was soaking wet and walked right in and sat on a stool without saying a word. He stood in the doorway for a minute before turning around to face Gen. About a minute of complete silence passed before Gen spoke. With her head in her lap she said, in hushed tones, "I love you.” Adam shook his head vigorously. "No you don't.”

Gen looked at him with tears filling her eyes. “Yes, I do. I came here to apologi-”

He slammed the door. “Shut up. Just shut up!” Silence filled the room yet again. “I don't want to do this right now so could you just, maybe, leave? Please. Now.”

Gen slowly got up from her seat and walked over to the door. She held her arms out to invite him to a hug but hejust opened the door. She put her arms down and clutched the straps of her purse. “I’ll just text next time,” she told him as she left.

He shut the door behind her and walked to the counter for his beer again. He slammed it on the floor causing glass shards and beer to fly in every direction. He started kicking and throwing anything and everything around him.

He slid down the back wall of his kitchen hitting himself in the head. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid.” Adam started sobbing. Sitting on the floor with his head down and his hands pressing firmly against his ears just so he didn't have to hear the sound of his own cries.

Genevieve went to her apartment that night feeling embarrassed and frustrated. She walked past the one picture she kept of them the night they met, took it off the wall, and sobbed as she made her way to her room. She curled up into a ball hugging the picture. She knew she messed up four months ago by going to the bar, but there’s now way to change that now. Adam had fallen out of love completely. She turned him into a drunk and engulfed herself in her own guilt which made her act irrationally. She screwed up.