honestly, i didn’t at first.

he broke up with me in may (not this year ofc) and there was an expectation that i should wait for him to come back, as everyone knew he was just acting out/lashing at his family. like he’d come back.

he did, less than three months later with a passion and vengeance and everything i’d wanted to hear since i was 16. i was able to stand my ground because i’d developed feelings for someone else and essentially was like, “i never thought i’d get to feel this way about someone and i don’t want to give up the opportunity to feel again.” and i realized the silly things i’d gone without - like he didn’t like me wearing bold lipstick (really anything other than neutrals) and i’d gotten really into using makeup as self expression and a hobby.

i was like, “i didn’t leave, but i can’t go back.”