Hiiii! I saw the “An ugly way to say goodbye” can you do something similar but instead of Cheating the reader ALMOST cheats but comes back crying and begging for forgiveness about even THINKING about cheating, and that the reader understands if the gang wants to break up or not. And instead of cheating the reader just ignored them for day.
OH THIS VERSION??
This is anguish without betrayal—the kind that hurts because it almost happened but love still dragged her back. I got you.
So here’s:
“An Ugly Way to Say Goodbye – The Almost Version” 🖤
(She almost cheats, disappears for a day ignoring them, then comes back shattered, confessing everything and letting them choose whether to leave.)
tw: sm*kingndr*nkingmentxcursingxcheatingment
PONYBOY CURTIS
(Tears before anger)
• He thinks you’re gone forever.
• Replays every word he said.
• Every mistake.
• Every silence.
When you come back sobbing and admit you almost cheated?
He’s shaking when he speaks.
“I thought I was that easy to forget…”
“Glory. I thought you replaced me in one night.”
When you tell him you didn’t—couldn’t—wouldn’t?
He cries with you.
He forgives you.
But the fear of losing you never fully leaves him.
JOHNNY CADE
(Absolute emotional collapse)
• That day you ignore him?
He thinks he ruined everything.
• He doesn’t eat.
• Barely speaks.
• Fully believes you’re gone.
When you come back crying and tell him everything?
He breaks down with you.
“I thought you hated me…”
“I thought I lost my only safe place.”
He forgives you instantly.
Too instantly.
Because all he wants is for you to stay.
DALLAS WINSTON
(Anger first, terror second)
• He spends that full day spiraling.
• Tells himself he doesn’t care. Lies.
• Chain-smokes until he’s sick.
• Tells the gang, “She’s done. I ain’t chasin’.”
• But he still checks the door every damn hour.
When you come back crying, apologizing, admitting you thought about cheating?
His rage collapses into something broken.
“You scared the shit outta me.”
“Do you have any idea what it feels like thinkin’ you already lost me?”
“You don’t get to disappear like that and still be mine without a fight.”
He doesn’t leave you.
But he makes you promise:
never run from him again.
That promise becomes sacred.
SODAPOP CURTIS
(Relief so strong it hurts)
• He blames himself the entire day.
• Asks everyone what he did wrong.
• Thinks he failed you somehow.
When you confess that you almost crossed the line?
He goes quiet.
Not angry.
Just scared.
“You could’ve made me hate you… but you didn’t.”
“Thank you for comin’ back. Thank you for tellin’ me.”
He forgives you immediately.
But after that, he holds you a little tighter.
STEVE RANDLE
(Explosive honesty)
• He’s pissed all day.
• Calls you every name in the book in private.
• Tells the gang you probably already replaced him.
When you come back crying and admit the truth?
His anger crashes into exhaustion.
“You hurt me without even touchin’ another guy.”
“That’s impressive. And fucked up.”
He forgives you.
But he warns you:
“Next time you vanish… I’m gone for real.”
TWO-BIT MATHEWS
(Pain hidden behind jokes)
• Makes jokes all day like he’s fine.
• He is not fine.
• He doesn’t drink—it scares him too much tonight.
When you confess?
The smile fades completely.
“You almost broke me without even cheatin’.”
“That’s talent, sweetheart.”
But he forgives you.
Then adds softly:
“Just don’t make me grieve you while you’re still alive again.”
DARREL CURTIS
(Hard truth, no softness)
• That day of ignoring?
It confirms his worst fear: abandonment.
When you confess the almost-cheating?
His jaw goes tight.
“You didn’t do it. That’s why you’re still standing here.”
“But next time you get scared… you talk to me. You don’t disappear.”
He doesn’t break up with you.
But trust becomes something you now have to rebuild, not assume.
