I look into his blue eyes, so similar to the water we are seated before. Waves wash upon the shore, bringing small pieces of sand and dragging more beneath its depths.

I’m so near him, I can smell his wavering scent of ocean mist and a lingering confession.

I observe him as he looks in the distance and I can tell he wants to leave.

“Say it,” I muttered. My heart began to beat faster as it dropped to my stomach. I know what he’ll say.

He turns to me, a small sadness in his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he began. “I’m sorry that I have to leave.”

The pain hits me, like the coldness of the ocean. I knew he’d say those words, yet it doesn’t make the pain any less intense.

Tears well in my eyes as I shake my head.

“Why?” I managed to ask with a shaking tone. “Why give this up?”

He looked away, my gaze too intense, my pain all too much.

Silence overtook him.

“You love me and you’re just leaving that behind? Am I not enough? I was just trying to be what you wanted: someone who loves you, despite the flaws,” I said as I reached for his hands.

“That’s not enough—“

“Don’t say that!” I interrupted. “Don’t say that our love was a waste. Was it?” I asked desperately, breaking more and more.

He shook his head. “It wasn’t. I just…I just can’t do this. Not now.”

At his words I understood that all I did for us was nothing.

I get up and walk near the waves, hoping they’ll take me away from this confession.