Episode 48: Scene Six
Francesca cleared her throat before beginning. "I know why you're here, Amante...I also know who brought you."
Amante shifted uneasily in his chair. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about how Amber Hart brought you here to hurt me. Because she couldn't get over some petty little contest, she decided to get back at me by forcing you back into my life."
"She never forced me!" Amante exclaimed vehemently, slamming his fist on the table. "I came here because I love you!"
"You don't love me, Amante," Francesca responded coolly. "You are in lust with me."
"No! From the first day you waltzed into my town, I knew you were someone special. The light in your eyes, the warmth behind your smile, and your gentle attitude always attracted me to you! You, Francesca, were everything I've ever wanted."
Francesca shook her head sadly. She forced herself to look at Amante, tears in her eyes. "No. You don't know what you want, Amante. You haven't seen enough of the world to know, and neither have I. For God's sake, you're only fifteen! How can you expect to know who you want to spend the rest of your life with now?"
Amante looked at Francesca with deep hurt in his eyes. "I only know that I love you, but if you cannot except that-"
"It's not that I don't want to," Francesca broke in, a tear spilling down her cheek. "All I've ever wanted is to be happy, and I was happy with you. I can't say that there has ever been a time when I've been with you where I was unhappy."
"Then what is the problem?" Amante's voice rose without him wanting to. "If we both know that we love each other, why can't we be happy together?"
"Because I love someone else!" Franceca finally broke. Tears now rushing out of her eyes, she sobbed, "I have loved someone else for a long time now, and he has loved me back!"
Amante only stared. He couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. No, he wouldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. She had promised to love him, and he had always reciprocated that love. Why was it changing? "No."
"Yes, Amante! That's why I don't write you or call you! That's why I don't send you cards or little notes!" Francesca found herself sobbing hysterically. People around her began to stare and whisper. "You have to go, Amante."
"What?"
Francesca wiped her face with her hand. "I said you have to go."
"So you are asking me to leave because you cannot love me anymore? You're pushing me out of your life because of another boy?" Amante's shock was quickly becoming replaced by anger and frustration.
Francesca couldn't speak anymore. She buried her face in her hands and only shook her head back and forth, the cries still coming out of her. The pain of the past weeks was building up and flowing over, wracking her body. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.
Amante sniffed and then drew himself up to his full height. "I will leave," he said, his voice icy and uncaring. "I will leave and I will never return, nor will I ever see you again. I hope you are satisfied with your work, Francesca, because you have taken my heart and torn it to shreds. But still, for your sake, I hope you are happy with this boy. Since I could not make you happy, he must be able to. Goodbye."
Francesca weeped loudly as Amante made his final exit. She had thought it would be easier at first. She had never realized that she cared so much for Amante, and now, as the realization that she would never see him again struck her, she felt cowardly, empty, and naked.
She finally brought her head out of her hands, her mascara darkened and running and her hair ruffled and in her face, and said simply, "I love you."