Countdown to Love

Eight years, six months, and 25 days after I started dating Ryan.

We broke up.

The reason?

While we were having dinner, he placed his phone face down on the table.

The buzzing vibration sounded like a countdown to the end of our relationship.

I put down my knife and fork. "Ryan, let's break up."

Sitting across from me, he seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He didn't even bother to ask why, just said, "Okay."

He finally didn't need to pretend anymore.

All because of what he said in front of all the teachers and students back in high school.