Bonus Chapter 22.2: Unwiped Tears

Hi guys! Here it is, the next bonus chapter. Remember, I am uploading weekly now so please like and comment so I know whether you enjoy it or not.

Also, my other book has also been uploaded (it is also weekly) and is a fantasy romance. Check it out!

Let me know what bonus chapters you'd like to see in the comments.

So without further ado, the chapter-

Justin sighed deeply at my words, his hold on my hand tightening only slightly before he let go. He turned his full gaze on me before managing a small smile. But, it was still undoubtedly breathtaking.

"I get that. I think I just care too much." He let out bluntly, not realising how much it made me smile. I nudged his arm affectionately.

"I think, I suffer from the same problem when it comes to you." I replied and he smiled at my words.

His eyes flitted to Savannah as she came to our side, greeting me with a tight hug. I smiled at the sight of them; despite their relationship ending, their friendship had only flourished in these past years. Given that Savannah didn't have a job at the moment, she spent much of her time volunteering at church. Justin worked as a chartered accountant and to say he excelled in his job was an understatement. Right now, they both were single, having broken up 3 years prior due to their differences, but were very amicable.

The reason why Justin and Savannah broke up- Part 2

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She paused before walking out and he watched as she turned, staring into his silver eyes.

"She'd be proud of you." Was all she murmured softly and then she was gone, leaving her words to sit with him.

Mom would be proud of me?

He had never thought of such a thing before yet those simple words were enough to stir him and he couldn't help it as the slight smile made its way to his face. He would have delved further if there hadn't been a knock on the door and, again, he knew exactly who it was.

If so, why was he hoping it was her again?

He dismissed the thought as he moved to open the door, his eyes taking in her familiar form. It had been 3 years since they had started dating. Yes, in the last year, there hadn't been much instances for them to spend time due to the business of his studying but, if Savannah was affected by it, she didn't show it.

Rather, she was sporting a big smile, glad to have at least this time with him as opposed to nothing.

"I've bought snacks." She said jovially, lifting the shopping bag to show him and he nodded, moving so she could come in.

"I'll get you some water." He said, walking to the kitchen towards the fridge. All the while, he couldn't help but let his mind draw back to a mere few moments ago when he had wiped her tears. It was only a few moments ago, but it felt like a completely different lifetime. A lifetime wherein he would confront the demons that plagued him; a lifetime where he would be able to find no excuse to avoid his birthday. But, with her gone, that lifetime flickered out like a wind to a candle flame.

"Is this cake?"

He turned at the sudden voice, his hand on the fridge door. Savannah was stood by the kitchen counter, lifting the lid of the white box slightly with a confused look.

It took a moment for Justin to nod then, grabbing the bottle and walking over towards her.

"Don't smear it, I'm sending it back." Was all he said and Savannah pursed her lips for a moment, keeping silent, before nodding.

"Are you sure?" She tepidly mentioned, her hands twitching nervously by her side. He only frowned at this, nearing her form.

"What's wrong?" He asked bluntly; he was never one to forgo something if he thought it. His tone was full of only concern and Savannah wringed her hands for a moment before shaking her head.

"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to make sure." She spoke meekly and then she smiled. He would have asked again, but then she was turning on her heels, making way into his living room.

"How's preparations for the big assignment?" She asked nonchalantly and he decided it best not to press her. Surely, if she wished to, she would have told him. Despite their years together, there hadn't been too much invasive conversations. He knew it was mostly because of him, but he couldn't help it. His very nature stopped him from opening up in ways that others would desire.

"I'll be done within the hour." He informed her and she swivelled around at this, a smile on her face.

"Which means you can take a break, right? You've been at it for weeks." She somewhat whined, settling down into her sofa and his lips quirked up only slightly as he followed after her.

"A break sounds good." He admitted honestly, sitting himself beside her and her smile widened at this as she turned to the bag, ruffling through it.

"Good because I am hungry." She said with a soft laugh and he reached out to help her empty the bag, feeling her tense beside him. She tensed even more so when he turned to look at her, their faces a mere few centimeters apart. It made him frown softly, his grey gaze scanning her face with intent.

"Why do you look so scared when I'm near?" He murmured, his voice a deep timber that echoed against her from the close distance and her eyes widened at the sudden question, making her stagger back. It was quiet for a moment then as Savannah looked to be in thought and then she turned to him, eyes not looking directly at him. She smiled almost sadly, glancing up at him for a moment.

"I can't help it. It happens every time I look into your eyes." She began and his eyebrows drew closer in confusion at this, the rest of his face remaining blank.

"My eyes?" He asked simply and it was then that she made full eye contact, her hands twitching on her lap.

"Whenever I look into your gaze: your piercing  gaze, it makes me feel unsettled. It's not a bad feeling, but I can't tell what you're thinking. It makes me nervous." She finally relented.

Raven turned to him, her eyes glittered with unshed tears, like emeralds in the moonlight. He could only look to her blankly, jaw clenching.

"Of course you don't understand. I look in those stunning grey eyes of yours everyday and you wanna know what I see?" She murmured coarsely and he didn't respond, only looked to her with that very gaze she was describing. She pursed her lips for a moment before speaking again.

"In those eyes, I see nothing: no emotion, no want and definitely no fight. It's true when you said you would act no different for anyone because there's nothing else you can give." She breathed out, watching him with heated eyes.

He felt his body tense at those words, thinking back to what Raven had said to him. She had said something similar too, but why? What had it meant?

"I don't understand." Was what he offered, but if was honest. He did not know what else to say save for this.

"Forget about it, I didn't mean anything by it." Savannah said with a sheepish laugh, reaching back to the bag and Justin thought for a moment. It had been 3 years and Savannah still couldn't tell how he truly felt? Or, rather, it had been 3 years and Justin was unable to open up to her even if he so wished.

He had known they hadn't talked about many intrusive topics, but was there an issue with that? Was there an issue to not discuss this with your girlfriend but disclose your darkest demons to your friend's girlfriend?

He stiffened at the thought, not liking what his thoughts could possibly mean. So, instead, he looked to Savannah curiously as she busied herself with unpacking the snacks.

"Why don't I celebrate my birthday?" He bluntly asked and Savannah notably flinched at his words, looking to him with wide eyes.

"What?" She squeaked out and he nodded, eyeing her blankly.

"You must have heard. Why don't I?" He insisted and Savannah looked wide eyed to him for a moment before looking down to the table, shaking her head.

"We don't have to talk about this if you don't feel comfortable." She said soothingly and he shook his head.

"I brought it up so we could. So, tell me." He continued and she looked to him at this, eyes teary.

"Because of your mother... right?" She whispered unsurely and he nodded, turning away, not able to talk about it properly. He had thought the mere mention would allow him to disclose, but it wasn't like it was with Raven. He couldn't find it in him to divulge now, so he merely sat in silence, wondering why.

"Don't worry, I won't force you to ever celebrate if you're uncomfortable."

He looked up at her reassuring words as she smiled at him, placing a small hand against his arm. These were words that often had calmed him, but now he didn't know what to think.

"Your mother did a wonderful thing for you on this day; she loved you over herself and chose you despite what would happen to her. She did that on this very day and you decide to try to forget this day?"

He didn't know what to think more so when he thought of Raven's words and it was then that Savannah leaned closer, stroking his arm.

"I'll do only what makes you comfortable." She added warmly and he could only watch her as a tear cascaded down her cheek, making him stiffen. It was only one tear, but it was enough to make him realise the true extent of his emotions: the emotions he had suppressed.

He could tell by the way he just watched her, his hands not moving to wipe her tears. He didn't feel the instinctive action in him to do so and he hated the very feel of tears, so he turned away then, looking to the ground thoughtfully.

"Justin, what is it?" Savannah edged closer, her voice concerned and he felt disdain in himself, knowing his next words would hurt her, but he wanted to be fair to her. He knew that it was better to hurt with the truth than to deceive with a lie. It would do her best in the long run. With this, he turned to her, his words as honest as any he had ever spoken.

"I think we need to break up."

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Hope you liked it guys! Let me know what you think!

Remember, I am uploading weekly now so please like and comment so I know whether you enjoy it or not.

Also, my other book has also been uploaded (it is also weekly) and is a fantasy romance. Check it out!

Let me know what bonus chapters you'd like to see in the comments.

Coming up for next week's chapter

Justin sighed deeply at my words, his hold on my hand tightening only slightly before he let go. He turned his full gaze on me before managing a small smile. But, it was still undoubtedly breathtaking.

"I get that. I think I just care too much." He let out bluntly, not realising how much it made me smile. I nudged his arm affectionately.

"I think, I suffer from the same problem when it comes to you." I replied and he smiled at my words.

His eyes flitted to Savannah as she came to our side, greeting me with a tight hug. I smiled at the sight of them; despite their relationship ending, their friendship had only flourished in these past years. Given that Savannah didn't have a job at the moment, she spent much of her time volunteering at church. Justin worked as a chartered accountant and to say he excelled in his job was an understatement. Right now, they both were single, having broken up 3 years prior due to their differences, but were very amicable.

The reason why Justin and Savannah broke up- Part 3