+ The Pieces of her Heart +

Writing Prompt: Write a story that begins with the line, "She wanted me to break it".

She wanted me to break it. I knew as soon as I met her that I would crush her heart. She would always choose the wrong men to fall for. I certainly was no exception, but I still find it funny that she chose me knowing I'm not the kind to love. Hell, I'm not even the kind to stay interested. I toyed with every woman I laid my eyes on, she knew that better than anyone. The only conclusion is that she wanted me to destroy her.

We went to college together. She would fall for the kind of men that worked with her. The ones that clearly wanted no attachment, just to get in her pants and run away. God these men were catnip to her. She would get lonely and give them a chance, though rarely did she let them get lucky, They'd ditch her once they realized she wasn't going to bang them, but not before making her doubt herself. She'd almost be ready to give herself to them and they'd already have run.

How many times did I hold her as her broken heart throbbed? i couldn't begin to guess. I knew even then that she deserved so much better, even told her a time or two. She'd be a mess curled in my bed with me as I held her and kept my pants on.

She was kind and strong. She put on such a convincing facade of invincibility. I often forgot how fragile she could be. Her affection typically involved punching me. I never knew that was her way of showing me she was falling for me. She didn't know how to trust or say 'I love you'.

Somehow I broke down her defenses without ever knowing it and she was all mine. She spent night whispering her secrets in my ears. Telling me of her pain and showing off her scars. The childhood pain, the men that used her and left her aching, the abuse, and even the acknowledgment I was going to kill her. She knew even then I'd never be able to change for her. I promised I'd never hurt her. How could I? We were friends. I'd pick her up when she was hurting. She could see right through me.

And yet somehow she let me in anyway - I took her without a second thought. I've never spoken to her since.