Introduction - Running in Circles

La Fiesta, February 13 - Kyle's POV

Bzzt Bzzt

I looked down at my phone vibrating on the table; it went off so many times, I thought I was getting a call. John and Isabel looked at me with looks that read, Aren't you going to get that? I couldn't help to chuckle lightly watching them viciously scarf down their tortilla chips, but I knew that whatever my phone had to update with me with wasn't going to be fun at all.

I was right.

I was bombarded with bitter messages from my beloved girlfriend, Rachael. As of the 9th, her and I had been together for a little over 2 years. I was happy, mostly, but it was constant fighting, and we were constantly running in circles. I found myself in a gilded cage before too long, no freedom in sight. Even my friends, especially Isabel and her family, had warned me of the toxicity there.  The messages, at least from what I remembered, read from

“So you don't have time for me but you have time for her? AGAIN?" to,

“You never take my feelings into consideration, everything's just all about YOU."

That last bit was especially entertaining.

I exhaled and turned to my friends for guidance.

“Guys?"

“Rachael?" they asked, almost in complete unison.

“Look, Kyle, you know what you need to do. Do we need to get my mom again?" Isabel said. Her mom, and a few of her aunts, (her family owns La Fiesta; being a friend to Isabel, we've become quite close) advised me that her controlling behavior was unhealthy and that I was best to cut it off. Her mother had said,

“She's not wifey material, so just rip off the band-aid."

I knew she was right, they all were, but I felt like if I broke it all off, what would the 2 years I spent with Racheal mean? I wanted John's wisdom, but his pacifist self could only give me an only slightly helpful, diplomatic response,

“She's older than you--already in college. She doesn't see, and doesn't get to..monitor what you do. I understand her, a little, but that also doesn't excuse the problems she gives..I dunno man, you do what you need to do. For yourself! But also, keep her feelings in mind."

I blinked and thought about his answer. He was right, but I needed an extra push, so I pushed myself.

“Okay, you guys, I'm done. D-O-N-E, done" I said, presenting a confident, assured appearance whilst battling myself internally. My friends nearly choked on their food on my sudden decree, but they supported me.

“When are you going to do it?" Isabel asked

“As soon as possible,maybe tomorrow," I responded.

“You realize that doing it today or tomorrow might be an issue, right?" she retorted.

“No, wh--"

John showed me his phone, it was the day before Valentine's Day.

“Fuck."