love hurts | arlo & lulu

[lulu anne blishwick]

Beginning of October

Lately, Lulu hated herself. She couldn’t understand why she felt so down all the time and she couldn’t help but wonder, was she one of those people who peaked in high school? Dear Merlin…she hoped not.

As she watched the clock, she anticipated Arlo returning home from work at any moment. They were supposed to watch some new Star Wars series that came out tonight but she wasn’t really feeling up to it anymore. After what felt like an eternity, the front door opened, and she heard him set his things down on the kitchen counter. Her feet slowly padded on the cold floor, anticipating that they were about to have a conversation she had been dreading for weeks. Lulu loved Arlo dearly, he was the best boyfriend she could have ever asked for. So affectionate, caring, and loving. But she wasn’t sure if she was ‘in love’ with him. The blonde was so confused, she beat herself up for allowing those thoughts to creep into her mind.

Lulu froze in the doorway, staring at Arlo with wide blue eyes, filled with worry. Fuck, this was going to be much harder than she imagined. Her stomach formed a massive knot as she held back tears. ”Hey.” she greeted with a tense smile, shoulders stiff. Her fingers fidgeted in her hands, instinctively wanting to jump into his arms for a kiss to make everything better again, but she didn’t want to send mixed signals. ”Could we talk for a sec?” she asked, her voice nearly getting caught in her throat. 

Arlo Bletchley

[Arlo Bletchley]

Even though they both had chaotic schedules, they had fallen into a routine of sorts; himself and Lulu. Not long after they has graduated Spencer Bletchley had offered up his old flat to let Arlo move into to proffer some semblance of independence. Sure it was dingey and dated and the area of London it was in probably wasn't the best, but it was his. Spencer had found himself between tenants and it was where he had lived after he had graduated and found himself at a loose end. He figured it would help him do some figuring out and give him some privacy while doing so. Arlo had liked it too. Even if he had been brought up in wealth he was always fairly self-sufficient and independent around the house and apart from a few major laundry incidents that left some of his underwear a weird pastel pink, things had been going fairly well.

Even better once Lulu had sort of wriggled her way in as well. Much to his distaste, his dad had said the flat wasn't to be used as a shag pad, especially considering his Mum would simply pass away if he got a girl pregnant this young. But Arlo knew that his Dad knew Lulu was around more often than not, and likely even knew that she had started staying over more and more. And had likely just stopped leaving.

After a day of lectures at LIFE and a short stint in his part-time job in the village, he hadn't hung around for pints with his co-workers or friends this evening. He had promised he'd be home early to watch the new Star Wars with Lulu. Even if he was exhausted and probably would fall asleep, they were going to get Pizza and just chill. It was what he had been looking forward to all week. Creeping in, he kicked his shoes off at the door and padded through the flat in his mismatched socks to throw his things on the small table and seek her out.

"Lulabelle?" glancing around he quietly called out his nickname for her as she materialized and a soft, almost lazy smile spread on his face at the sight of her. "Hi..." He had been about to lean forward and pull her in for a hug, but something was off. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it held him back from her. Although he wasn't always the most perceptive, or on-the-ball guy, something was off. She was acting weird and he didn't like it. She didn't spring at him like she normally did, and that alone was a little hurtful, but he tried to brush it off even if a concerned frown did cross his face to replace the smile. "Yeah. Sure. Whats- Lulu is something wrong? Are you okay?" The frown caused his eyebrows to furrow further as he eyed her cautiously.

lulu anne blishwick

[lulu anne blishwick]

It appeared that Arlo sensed something was off. She could tell by the look in his eyes. Arlo had a pained look on his face, first stemming from the lack of affection she typically showered over him. Her stomach flipped upside down, tears instantly welling in her lids. Fuck. She felt herself starting to spiral and shut down. It was too late to turn back now...

Arlos expression faltered, asking if she was okay. "No. Yeah. I'm not okay." she told him dramatically, icy blue eyes falling on his face shamefully. ”I-uh-” her voice got stuck in her throat, breaking eye contact with the handsome young man she loved so deeply. ”I’ve been thinking.” she squeaked, all of her thoughts and points she previously prepared for breakup disappearing from the queue. ”I-I” she wiped her eyes, suddenly smearing her mascara. ”I think we should break up.” Lulu finally spurted, swallowing hard to surpass tears as she watched his expression. The world was spinning a thousand miles per hour.

As the words spilled from her lips, regret instantly started to seep into her core, realizing saying those words would change everything for them.

Lulu started to weep, ”I love you, I’m just not in love with you.” she told him quickly as tears started to stream from her face, never putting into consideration how painful those words could be for someone to hear from their lover.

Arlo Bletchley