Five Years Outside Their Photos, So I Finally Walked Out Forever Chapter 05

Five Years Outside Their Photos, So I Finally Walked Out Forever Chapter 05

Brooke posted a picture in the group chat with all five of us.

The four of them sat on the terrace of a seaside vacation rental The moon was already up over

the ocean in the distance.

Jake replied first.

[This is so much better.]

Ryan immediately followed with a smiley face.

[One less person, and even the air feels lighter.]

Brooke quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

[Don’t say that.]

[Claire never liked hanging out like this anyway.]

I opened the chat and left the group.

Ethan called almost immediately.

“Claire, what are you freaking out about now?”

I walked toward the exit, pulling my suitcase.

“I just left a group chat.”

“Isn’t that perfect? You all like it better with four people anyway.”

Ethan was quiet for a moment.

“They were joking. Can’t you tell?”

“Brooke kept sticking up for you.”

I suddenly felt like laughing.

“What did she say to stick up for me?”

“Explain why I’ll never fit in with the four of you?”

His voice hardened.

“Claire, can you stop acting like Brooke’s out to hurt you?”

“She’s been trying to help you fit in. You’re the one who’s always on guard around her.”

I closed my eyes briefly. Five years of hearing the same line, over and over.

I wasn’t generous enough, reasonable enough, good enough at fitting in. Somehow, I was always the problem.

“Ethan, did you ever stop to think about why I have to fit in?”

He seemed at a loss for an answer. I kept going.

“I’m dating you.”

“Not all four of you.”

“But for five years, everything I ate had to suit Brooke. Wherever I stayed, I had to leave room

for her. Every trip had to work for the four of you.”

“Ethan, this was never about me not fitting in. You never made room for me.”

The line fell completely silent. After a long time, he gave a cold laugh.

“So this is still about Brooke.”

“Claire, I told you a long time ago. She, Jake, and Ryan are my friends.”

“If you can’t accept that, stop forcing yourself.”

I closed my eyes. The last thing I still held on to finally slipped away.

“Fine. Then I won’t.”

“Ethan, we’re done.”

He sounded as though I just said the most absurd thing imaginable.

“Over this?”

“Claire, how old are you? Is threatening to break up with me every time you’re upset fun for you!!!

Ethan stared at his phone after the call cut off, his face thunderous.

Jake was still laughing.

“Your girl’s got quite a temper this time.”

Ryan shrugged it off.

“She’ll be back in a couple of days.”

“A few sweet words from Ethan always bring her around.”

Brooke pressed her lips together and said softly,

“This is all because of me. Maybe I should go apologize to Claire.”

Already on edge, Ethan frowned reflexively at that.

“What do you have to apologize for? This isn’t your fault.”

“She’ll come back when she’s done making a scene.’

Yet he found himself dialing my number again

My phone was off. He tried again. Still off.

He opened WhatsApp. His message sat there with a single gray check.

Claire Bennett blocked him.