Chapter 5
The next day at the dining hall, Tristan and I had barely settled into our seats when my phone started going absolutely insane. Call after call. I finally picked up, and Lennon’s voice came through like a fucking hurricane:[]
“Nina quit the band because of your unhinged bullshit yesterday! She feels so fucking guilty she blocked me on everything!“]]
“What the hell did she even do? She’s friendly and gets along with people–that’s a crime now? You completely lost your shit over nothing, and now you’ve destroyed everything! Nina’s gone because of you–I hope you’re fucking satisfied!“]
Satisfied?
Every word out of his mouth was defending precious Nina, painting her as some innocent victim of my “insanity.“[]
Something cold and sharp settled in my chest. I smiled into the phone, my voice crystal clear:[]
“Yeah, actually. I am.“]
I hung up on his meltdown and looked up to see Tristan standing there with two trays, clearly having witnessed that entire
trainwreck.
“God, sorry,” I said, heat flooding my cheeks. “I was supposed to buy you lunch.“[]
He sat down with that trademark unreadable expression, adjusting his glasses.
“Rain check.”
“Deal,” I said, grabbing my chopsticks. “Next time somewhere that’s not cafeteria slop.“[]
Looking at his tray–basically monk food–I couldn’t help but think this guy was from another planet. Half the girls on campus would kill to get his attention, but he had this impenetrable wall around him. No social media, no parties, lived on dining hall food and devoted every waking hour to research.
Still, if I had to be stuck in Germany with anyone, at least it’d be someone competent.]
What I definitely didn’t expect was Lennon ambushing me outside my dorm the next day.[]
“Noa, you’re coming with me to apologize to Nina. Right now. The band is fucked without her–we literally just got signed and you scared her off! Do you have any idea what you’ve done to her career?“[]
I stared at this person I barely recognized anymore, his face twisted with righteous anger, and something inside me just… snapped. Not into rage–into this weird, detached amusement.[]
“Oh no,” I said flatly. “That would be terrible.“[]
Lennon looked like I’d slapped him:[]
“What is wrong with you? You’re not… this isn’t you, Noa.“]
His voice cracked with genuine confusion and hurt.]
“Not me?” I tilted my head. “You mean I’m being a cold, heartless bitch?“[]
Before he could respond, I kept going, my voice getting steadier and more cutting:[]
Genius Ex Girlfriend Era I Chose My Academic Glory Over Your Rockstar Fantasy
3.8%
Chapter 5
“If Nina actually quit over this–if she really disappeared from your life forever and you never saw her again–then sure, I’d be the villain of this story.“[
But we both knew she hadn’t. The band just got signed with a major label. Why would she walk away from her big break? This was all theater, and he was eating it up.
Lennon’s face went dark:[]
“Why are you being like this? Why does everything have to be a fucking war with you?“[]
“A war?” I almost laughed, but honestly felt too drained. “I’m done fighting, Lennon. I don’t have the energy for this anymore.“]
“We’re over. For real this time.“[]
I had applications to finish, visa paperwork, a whole new life to build overseas–any of that was more valuable than whatever this had
become.
Iwas
was done wasting my life on people who didn’t see my worth.[]
“Noa, wait!” He reached for my arm but I stepped back. “I just signed with the biggest talent agency in the city! The A&R guy thinks I’m the next big thing! When I blow up, I can give you everything–whatever you want…“[]
“And?” I cut him off, my voice flat. “Lennon, that was never the point.“[]
Money and fame–none of that was why I fell for him.
“You could become the biggest rockstar on the planet and I still wouldn’t…” I closed my eyes, feeling something die inside me. “I just don’t care anymore.“[]
He went completely still, like my words had physically hit him. When he spoke again, his voice was pure venom:[]
“You know what? Everyone has limits. No one’s gonna keep crawling back to deal with your melodramatic bullshit forever.“[]
I didn’t say another word. Just turned and walked away.
Funny how when your heart finally breaks completely, you don’t scream or cry. You just… stop talking.[]
The moment he chose to defend her over me, our ten years together had already turned to ash.[]
