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July is Flash Fiction Month! I’ll be sharing short short stories here through the month of July. To be clear: this is not directed at anyone, it’s just something I’ve been reflecting on lately.

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I just got tired.

The smallest thing inside me turned, and I couldn’t do it anymore. I wanted out.

If we were dating, it would be easier. I know the rules of a break-up. Someone leaves. You awkwardly return each other’s stuff. Maybe someone moves out. You avoid talking to each other. Maybe you’ll see each other again, years later, and exchange cordial but awkward words.

I wish it was that simple.

There’s no such thing as a clean break from a friendship.

I just reply to texts less, and then one day I realize either you’ve stopped texting, or I haven’t replied at all. We stop hanging out, just the two of us. Soon I only see you at “group hangs,” and then not at all.

I’m okay with this.

And it hurts that I’m okay with this.

I’ll never get the sweater I left at your house back. Or taste your mom’s extra-cheesy macaroni again. We won’t exchange books ever again, or stay up all night talking about everything and anything.

I have the good memories of you and I together, even though they hurt to look at now.

It’s not enough. They can’t replace you.

But someday, maybe we will see each other on the street and exchange our cordial but awkward words.

Maybe then we’ll fall back in sync, they way we used to be.

Until then, keep the sweater. It looked better on you anyway.