Disclaimer: Every chapter marked M&G is from the same story. However, the order of events is not as presented in here.

Logically, if something goes wrong repeatedly, the problem should be the common element present in all situations. I am left with the awful realisation that I must be the reason for my terrible fate. At least that's what I came to terms with during the too long elevator ride.

I adjust the strap of my rucksack on my shoulder as the ding resonates insides this terribly small metal box and step into the corridor. Per routine, I'm about to ring the apartment's bell, but I stop myself and I send a quick text to one resident.

Raúl opens the door with a grim face and lets me in. He's eyeing me as if I'm about to trash the place and set everything on fire. I don't blame him; I felt like doing it as soon as he called me.

"Are they still here?" I ask. My voice is stiffer than I expected. I thought about what I was going to do for a long time and I wanted to be cheerful for this, and I fear people will see how hurt I am.

"Yeah... still in there," he said, watching my reaction. "Do you want to sit here and-"

"No, I'll just get my stuff. Thank you, Raúl. I really owe you."

He's about to protest, but I don't give him the opportunity. I open the bedroom door and walk in with my best blank face. The couple in bed stops and looks at me, quick to cover themselves in panic.

"Gia-" Raúl's roommate starts. That's all he is now. Raúl's roommate.

"Oh, don't mind me," I brush them off. "I'm just here to get my stuff."

I turn my back to them and open drawer after drawer, throwing all my belongings into my rucksack. I have less than I thought I did.

"Look, Gia," Santiago keeps going, "this is not what it looks like, okay? I can explain."

I face him again once I'm done with this chest of drawers. The girl is just sitting in a corner with a frightened expression. "It's not? 'Cause it looks like my ex-boyfriend is having sex with another girl. But go ahead, explain"

He winces at "ex-boyfriend" and I move onto the wardrobe. Besides a couple of shirts, I don't think I owe anything else in the bedroom. I have a toothbrush in the bathroom, though. I should get that too.

"Ex? Gia, come on, you're not breaking up with me over a mistake? It was dumb, okay? You've been so busy with university that you haven't had time for me. I have needs, okay? You should've known I would find comfort somewhere else. It's kind of your fault if you think about it."

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion already.

"It was nice seeing you both," I say, walking out of the room. "Don't let me ruin the mood. Keep going. Oh, and Santi? I have to cancel dinner with your parents next week. Bye."

I hear him tumble out of bed and, not long after, he is rushing after me in underwear. I roll my eyes and grab my toothbrush. He blocks the bathroom door, forcing me to talk to him. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this facade up. Seeing him with someone else made my blood boil.

"Gia, please, let's talk this out."

"No, thank you." I try going past him, but he doesn't let me. "Look at you, trying to get kicked in the balls. Are you sure you want to try that when you're still hard?"

"Gia, I love you, please."

I frown. "You love me? Over a one month relationship? Damn, you move fast."

"Are you joking about this? Fuck, this is exactly your problem!" he almost yells. "Can't you take anything fucking seriously? You think of yourself as a great person no one can hurt, and that's bullshit."

Before I can say something, Raúl shows up behind him with a worried expression. I'm happy he's here, but I really didn't mean to involve him in all of this.

"Is something wrong?" he asks.

"This is none of your business." Santiago steps towards him and I take that as my cue to go past him and get out of this apartment as fast as possible. "Gia?"

"See you never, asshole." I slam the door and head to my car. It's back in the elevator that I remember I just lied and I'm doomed to see him again.

Once I get to my apartment, I throw my stuff on the floor and throw myself on the sofa. Diego, one of my housemates, comes out of the shower, rubbing his wet hair with a towel, and sits by me once he sees me.

"Are you crying?"

I should've gone to my room.

"No," I reply, looking away. "I thought I was home alone."

"I got a date with that girl I told you about, so I came early to get ready. What happened to you, though?"

I almost smile at the thought. Why do I never get guys like Diego? He puts effort into dates and his relationships.

"Santi cheated on me," I explain. "I think he's been doing it for a while now. I ended things today."

"Oh, man, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah..."

He doesn't know what to say, as expected, and neither do I, so we stay in awkward silence for a moment.

"Did you like him that much?" he asks after a bit.

I shrug. "Not really. It's the shame that's getting the best of me, honestly."

"The shame?"

"Yupe. I've been cheated on. And now I have to leave with that shame."

"Oh, Gianna, he's the one who has to be ashamed of not being loyal. No one wants to date a cheater. You did nothing wrong."

I sigh. "Yeah, but I'm still the one who was fooled. I just can never get it right, you know? The third time I decide to give a guy a chance and have a relationship, he cheats on me."

"You're going to find som-"

"I don't want someone," I complain, sitting up to look at him. "I didn't even want anything with Santi if Raúl hadn't tried to set us up. I don't want a guy. All they do is hurt me."

"Don't be so harsh. Some day someone will come that won't cheat on you, or try to change you, or... what was it that the other guy did?"

"Moved to Canada without a warning."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure no one is ever doing that again."

You never know.

"Sure. Maybe. I might call Leo in the meantime. He probably has got no one new while I was in a relationship."

"If that's what works for you." He shrugs. "Are you going to be okay?"

I nod. "Yeah. Go get ready for your date. I'm going to get myself some ice cream and a sad movie. Arantxa says it works wonders."

He laughs and leaves me to it. I'm halfway through the movie when Arantxa gets home with bags in both her hands and a beaming smile.

"We're going to Alicanteeeeee!" she chants as she gets in.

"What are you talking abouuuuuuuut?" I reply.

She drops the bags next to the sofa and sits next to me. "You, me and my cousin Olivia. We're going to Alicante for the summer. A sort of 'Congrats for graduating university'."

"Ah," is my only reply.

"We're going to the beach and hit on cute guys and... Are you planning on still being with Santi at that point?"

My stomach twists. "We broke up already."

She blinks. "What? Oh, honey, tell me everything."

I don't want to tell her anything. I just want to forget about it as soon as possible. Or commit murder. One of those, for sure.

"There's nothing to tell. I'll be fine." She's about to protest, but I don't let her. "Alicante, huh?"

She knows she's not getting anything from me so soon. "Yeah... Olivia and I will plan everything. You don't need to worry about a thing."