BEAUTIFUL TURNED UGLY

When forever died

The sun was bright, sharp enough to make the white lines of the tennis court almost glow. The faint scent of freshly cut grass hung in the air, mingling with the warmth of summer. Amaya leaned against the chain-link fence, arms crossed, eyes fixed on him.

Max moved across the court with a fluid confidence, racquet in hand, muscles coiling and releasing with every swing. His black hair caught the sunlight damp from exertion. His skin glistened with sweat, highlighting the sculpted lines of his arms and chest, lean but powerful. Every movement spoke of precision and control, yet there was a playful energy about him, a teasing spark that made Amaya’s heart both race and ache.

He was hers and she his ,they belonged to eachother and yet, even from a distance, she felt the thrill of watching him dominate the game she could not help but admire him . She loved the way he grinned when he landed a perfect serve, that half-smile that only she ever truly understood.

Leaning against the fence, Amaya allowed herself a small, secret smile. It was easy to forget everything else when he was here, moving like that, so alive, so untouchable. Her Max .

"Hey babe " , his raspy voice pulled her out of her trance , she handed him a towel .

"Good game " , Max simply nodded and led her to sit down , " I need to tell you something " .

Amaya's eyes widened at his words , that was a statement made before a world is brought to its knees , "Max , please"

" Baby... hear me out ......I need this scholarship. It's my life on the line here , baby we can make it work ....you just have to let me go Maya . I p.....promise I will come back before you know it " , tears were already streaming down her face , they had talked about him leaving if he was bringing it up a second time then his mind had to be made up but still she tried .

"Baby I can pay for your studies , you don’t have to go anywhere I will take care of everything of you . I want to Max just let me please don’t leave ".

Tears welled and spilled over, streaking her cheeks. She folded her hands in prayer, as if sheer will could hold him back.

Max stepped closer, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered, warm against her skin. “I’m not leaving because I want to. I’m leaving because I have to. But I swear, I’ll come back… you’ll see me again.”

Her lips trembled, caught between a laugh and a sob. “Max ....please"

He cupped her face gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “We’ll figure it out.”

Amaya’s steps were unsteady as she climbed the familiar stairs to Max’s room. Her heart pounded so hard she thought he might hear it, a drum of hope and fear. Every instinct told her to hurry, to catch him before he left forever.

She pushed the door open, expecting him to be there, shirt damp from his workout, that mischievous grin already playing on his lips. But the room was empty. The bed was made, neat and untouched. His racquet lay in the corner, forgotten.

Her knees trembled as she sank to the edge of the bed, hands clutching the sheets realisation hitting her .She had come with a gift for him, a gesture of love so raw and honest it left her trembling with shame and hope all at once. And now… her body would go unclaimed, swallowed by the cruel space he had left behind.

Edward stepped into the doorway quietly, a shadow of sympathy and restraint in his expression. He held out a small envelope, thick and deliberate. “He left this for you,” he said softly.

Amaya’s hands shook as she took it, eyes wide and blurred with tears. The paper felt impossibly heavy, laden with everything she had hoped for and now knew she would never have.

She tore it open, fingers trembling. His handwriting sprawled across the page, familiar and precise, each word cutting deeper than any knife.

“We need to break up " , no salutation no warning , the words etched in a handwriting she knew so well. "There's no scholarship Maya , I just needed to get away from without having to fear you would hurt me or those close to me . You decided you loved me years ago when we were just children not bothering to ask what I wanted . I became yours and because I was too scared to turn down a Marchesa I stayed but I cannot live my life in fear am leaving your world, I do not love you Amaya . Good bye ".

Her hands shook violently, crumpling the letter and throwing it away as though it scared her, her breath hitched, raw and ragged . She had come ready to give herself entirely, and he had already disappeared from her world, leaving words that numbed the heart.

Tears streamed freely, burning down her cheeks, soaking her hair. Her chest tightened as sobs wracked her body.

The room felt impossibly large, cold, and empty now. Her knees hit the floor. She curled into herself, shattering quietly, the weight of desire, heartbreak, and helplessness pressing her into the floorboards. Edward knelt beside her silent, he pulled her small form to him as she cried in anguish.

"Edward",

" It hurts" , she clenched her chest " I know sweetie , I know "

"No , it actually hurts " her body shook , " help me "

And on the floor of that room , Amaya’s world shattered.

"I don't love you Amaya ." the words echoed as her eyes closed.