Last Laugh

This story is by Evian and was part of our 2018 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

“I think we should break up we’re both living our lives doing our own thing and you’re super busy about to go on tour and i feel like we’re just drifting apart ya know and plus I’m just not that into you anymore. wish you the best : )”

I’m staring at this message on my phone screen. I rub my eyes not only because I just woke up but also to make sure I’m seeing correctly. Is he really breaking up with me by text? I can’t believe this. I laugh so hard I almost fall off the bed. My initial reaction is to call him and tell him about himself. It’s way too early for this and quite frankly I don’t even think he deserves a response. Not over the phone. He didn’t even have the decency to do this in person. Coward.

I sit up, stretch, and then slide my feet into my furry slippers my mom bought me for Christmas. My puppy, Bambi, jumps up on me and I play with her for a few seconds. I think she can tell I need some lovin right now. “Would you believe it? That ass wipe really just broke up with me in the most shady way possible.” Bambi responds by sighing as I’m rubbing her belly.

I draw my curtains and the morning sun hits me in the face. A warm hello which is something I needed right now. I walk into my kitchen and prepare some coffee. As I’m sitting there drinking my coffee, I pick up my phone and go to my pictures and scroll through tapping on all the photos of me and him. It’s over. It hit me like ton of bricks and sadness takes over me. I don’t want it to be but I would never beg for someone to stay if they want to go. Tears fall out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks as I’m staring at a picture of us on our trip we took during Christmastime. It was a selfie I took of us snuggling in front of the fireplace; he was kissing me on my cheek and I’m beaming not only from the glow of the fireplace but from genuine happiness I felt being with him. My phone started ringing and I jumped because it broke my concentration. It’s my manager. I sigh and roll my eyes. I’m not in the mood for business talk right now.

“Hello”, I sniff.

“Are you sick?”

“No. Josh just broke up with me through text,” I say as I wipe my nose.

“Is that why you’re late?”

I look at the time on my phone.

“Oh shit. I don’t know why I thought it was earlier than it is; now that I think about I didn’t even hear my alarm clock go off.”

“I’m sorry about you and Josh but you have a tour to prepare for, get it together please. Can you be ready in 10 minutes I’ll have a driver come get you.”

“OK.”

I put my head down on the marble counter. Tears start to come again. I quickly wipe them away. My feelings are hurt because my manager doesn’t seem to care. We’re really close more like best friends. Over the years we formed a really strong bond.

I throw on a tracksuit and head out the door. The driver pulls up like it’s right on cue. I put on my shades to hid my red puffy eyes. I’m headed to my tour rehearsals which I totally forgot about this morning due to waking up to a break up text. Ugh. I can’t even focus on anything right now I just keep thinking about him. At first I was just mad and really didn’t care but now it’s getting to me. We been together for 3 years. That’s a long time to be with someone and for him to just say it’s over especially through text is really scandalous. It’s true. We been a little disconnected lately and things have been really busy me for. I’ve just dropped an album and now I’m getting ready for a world tour but it’s not like I’ve been distant on purpose he knows my lifestyle, he’s a musician too, so he knows more than anyone how crazy busy our lives get. He’s been on the road too touring, having shows, ever since we been together. So I’m really confused about this whole “we’ve been drifting apart” thing.

As we pull up to the dance studio I try my best to put on a brave face. Inside I’m struggling to keep up with my back up dancers and I keep forgetting the choreography.

“Can we take a break I’m feeling a little winded.”

“Sure. What’s going on with you today you’ve been messing up all day and you seem really out of it not your normal self you’re always on point,” the choreographer tells me.

“Just boy troubles.”

“Girl we’ve all been there but when its time to work you gotta leave that stuff at the door.”

“You’re right I just need a minute to clear my head.”

“K but then we gotta get back to it.”

After dance rehearsals I meet up with my manager for lunch.

“So he really just broke up with you over text?”

This was the type of response I was waiting for all along.

“Yeah,” I say as rest my chin on the palm of my hand.

“You know I think this couldn’t have come at a better time like I’m gonna be really honest with you he was holding you back. You were always so caught up in him and trying to please him and holding on too tightly to something that was barely hanging on by a thread.”

“Are you serious? You never said this before?”

“Well I should have as a friend and a manger but I felt like it wasn’t my place but now that he broke up with you I can.”

“So you really think we were like nearing the end of the road?”

“Girl, I think everyone could see it but you.”

“I know it wasn’t perfect I honestly thought it was because of our hectic schedules but I believe if you really want someone in your life or you really want to see someone you can and will make the time.”

“But were you doing that?”

“I was. But he really wasn’t. Every time I tried to plan a date or even just make time to spend with each other for a few hours to just chill, he would say he was busy most of the time and I would just accept that and thought it to be true.”

“Did you ever suspect he was cheating?”

“No.” I lied. I did suspect he was cheating but I didn’t want admit that to myself. I figured if I didn’t say it it wasn’t true. She was looking at me with narrowed eyes and pursed lips and like she knew it.

“You know what, you’re about to go on tour and your gonna kill it. You should focus on being the best you can be giving your all every night up there on stage and pretty soon he’ll be a distant memory.”

“You’re right! This tour is gonna be so amazing! I mean all my shows are showed out like it’s gonna be crazy!

“Exactly! You’ve been so down and off your game. You’re a super star with or without him to be honest you upgraded him. No one barely knew who he was before you guy started dating and now you’re headlining a massive tour and I honestly this couldn’t have come at a better time you’ll be out here making money living your dreams. You’ll have the last laugh.”

“Man! This is exactly what I needed to put my head back up and really focus on whats important and what I want and need. Thank you so much see that’s why you’re not only my manager but my best friend.”

“That’s what I’m here for to keep you on track and light a fire under your ass. Now go home, rest up, meditate, do whatever it is you need to do because tomorrow we got more rehearsals and you need to start packing for the road.”

The next week tour began and I was out on the road. Every night was more fun and rewarding than the one before. I was really living my best life; performing and feeling the exchange of energy between myself and the audience really made me remember why I wanted to be a singer in the first place. This was what it was about and put everything into perspective. Want to know whats funny? I saw Josh in the crowd at a show in the city we both live in. I really did have the last laugh.