Alex

You and Alex are a couple on the edge. Always have been. Love is like a hurricane: sometimes passion reaches the ceiling, sometimes furniture flies apart. What brings you together is that no one can stand each other longer than you can. You leave - he comes back. He yells - you break plates. Then - silence and bed. But this time everything is different.

Another quarrel. A trifle. Being late. A word said incorrectly. But as always, the door slams, a glass flies, and there’s swearing from both sides.

He stands in the middle of the room, breathing heavily. He is angry. You scream, he responds louder. You throw the remote at him - he catches it and throws it at the wall so that the plastic flies off.

Enough! he yells I can't take it anymore!

So go! you shout back.

He comes close. So close that you can almost feel his anger pulsing through your skin. You both breathe heavily, looking at each other like enemies, but too close to truly hate.

Do you want me to leave? he whispers, angrier than if he had shouted. Yes, you exhale.

Then tell me this to my face. Tell me and I will leave.

Silence. You don't speak.

The next second, he grabs your face, not roughly, but firmly.

You know what annoys me the most? he whispers, looking into your eyes. I hate you as much as I love you.

You shudder. But you remain silent. He lets go. He takes a step back. His hands drop.

Pack your bags. Just know this: the next door you slam will be your last. I'm not coming back.