Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

My favorite is the mocha cupcake with the espresso buttercream frosting. It’s to die for.”

I take another big bite of my cupcake and say “Please kiss the baker for me” she cackles and says “Well pucker up ‘cause here she is” and pouts her lips making a kissy face at me. As we both laugh until there are tears in our eyes, I realize that I can’t remember the last time I’ve sat with someone who wasn’t my sister and just laughed. It feels so damn good to just let loose. I eat my second cupcake and sink into my seat “Girl, I might have to get me a dozen of these to go, because I’ll need a snack for when I’m reading” I say winking at her.

“I was going to grab you some to go anyway, wait here while I box them for you. I’m going to grab a couple for Emma as well, what does she like?” And I know there and then that Leila is going to be a good friend.

I look at her and smile “Her favorite is double chocolate with chocolate icing and sprinkles.”

Over her shoulder she yells, “Coming right out babe” with a wink and heads towards the counter.

I lean back on my seat and take my first real breath. I wish I had known Leila back in high school. She’s the exact kind of best friend that every girl longs for. I was lost in my thoughts again, when I heard a familiar voice “Hi Sina, It’s been a long time”

I look up and everything around me feels like it was closing in. I rise from my chair with my hands on my chest “Michael?” I whisper trying to breathe.

He walks closer to me and he says “Why did you leave me Sina? You just left and didn’t say anything. Why? Did you not love me?” Is this asshole serious?

I look at him shaking my head “I’m not doing this with you”, and I start walking toward the door.

“Sina, wait I got your cupcakes” Leila calls from the counter.

“It’s okay I’ll come back for some later. Thank you Leila” I say as I reach for the door handle.

I hear Michael behind me saying “No Sina, you and I need to talk. I have been looking for you for the past eight damn years, you owe me this conversation.”

I can’t believe the shit I’m hearing from him and then I feel him grab my arm. Oh hell no. “Get your hands off me right now” I growl at him.

I see Leila walk in front of me and she says “Keep your hands to yourself jerkoff” going from polite store owner to fierce friend in a split second.

Michael puts his hands up backing away from me “I just need to talk to her Lei, stay out of it” he says looking hurt.

Leila looks at me and she asks “Do you want to talk to him, or would rather not Sina?”

I stand there trying to hold my tears in. Leila and I have never hung out or had any type of friendship before, but I have never been more grateful to have her with me right now. I place my hand on her shoulder and say “It’s okay Leila, I’ll be fine.”

She looks at me as she hands me the bag of cupcakes “Okay girl, I put my number in there so call or text me if you want to hangout, or if you want some more cupcakes, alright?”

“Thanks, Leila.” I smile as I give her a hug.

“Anytime bestie,” she winks before I walk out the door to my car.

I try to walk fast, but damn it I know I’m not going fast enough because Michael is walking next to me. What can I say? I have short legs, and I get it from my mother. I reach for the keys in my purse but Michael stops me by blocking my door. “Eight fucking years Sina, we were supposed to get married. We had our future planned out, but you left me without explaining why” he says.

I can feel myself getting upset, my breathing becoming uneven and short sharp pants coming in and out of my lungs make me feel lightheaded. I step away from him and say “Get out of my way Michael, I mean it.”

He ignores me and steps closer saying, “No, we are going to have this conversation whether you like or not Sina. Just tell me why you ran off like a coward?”

I drop my cupcakes and my hand flies right across his face, I can’t stop my tears from falling so I didn’t bother trying to hold them in anymore.

I push him away from me, hitting him with my small fists against his chest. I’m pretty much incoherent but I keep yelling “You fucking cheated on me Michael. You stepped out on me, I didn’t do ANYTHING to you. You lied to me, you stopped seeing me Michael”

He stands there taking it all in and says “Sina, I loved you. You left me.”

The more he opens his mouth, the more my tears keep falling, “No you didn’t love me enough to stay faithful to me Michael” I cried at him.

He looks at me and yells, “I never fucking cheated on you. You just up and left me, Sina!”

I step closer to him, absolutely furious that I left everything and everyone behind because of this piece of shit, and seethe quietly “No Michael, you were in love with my best friend. You fell out of love with me when you chose Becca over me.” How dare he claim his innocence when I saw his infidelity with my own eyes, in our own bed.

I try walking away from him but he grabs my wrist and whispers “Please, Sina.”

I look at him and ask “Do you remember the day I had a doctor’s appointment, Michael? The same day you had Becca in our bed?” My heart breaks all over