Spot took a deep breath. He didn't want to do this to her, but he knew he had to. He forced himself to look Raindrop in the eyes.

"I 'tink ya should go live in Manhattan," he said quietly. Her green eyes widened.

"What?" she asked him. "Why should I live dere? I live here. I'se a Brooklyn newsie." He wished he could close his eyes and forget this conversation had ever begun. But it had, and he had to finish it.

"Because," he said with a voice of steel, "dere's no reason fer ya ta stay heah." His heart ached from what he was about to tell her. "I'm not in love with you anymore." She stared at him for a few minutes and then sat down on her bunkbed, hard.

"Ya kain't be serious," she whispered.

"I'se nevah meant anyt'in' moah in me life," he lied, wishing there was a way to take it all back.

"Do ya have any idea what you're doin' ta me?" she asked him, swallowing hard.

I know all too well, he thought to himself.

"I'se sorry," he said to her. "I kain't live a lie. Would ya raddah have found out latah?"

"Why are ya doin' dis ta me?" she asked, ignoring his question.

"'Cause I don' love ya no moah," he lied. She closed her eyes and put her face in her hands. When she finally looked up again, tears filled her eyes.

Oh jiminy, Spot thought to himself. Don't do dis. Please don' cry. It took all the strength he had to keep his face void of emotion. Tears slowly slipped down Raindrop's cheeks.

"We're not meant ta be," he finally said. She looked at him, brilliant green eyes flashing.

"Is dat s'pposed ta make me feel bettah?" she snapped. He was ripping himself apart inside for doing this to her.

"No, it ain't," he told her coldly, "but do ya expect me ta stay in a relationship dat's goin' nowheah? I'se got bettah t'ings ta waste my time on." He would have given anything to hold her, touch her hair, take back everything he's said, and wipe away her tears.

"Is dat all I evah was?" she asked hoarsely. "A waste of yer time? Did ya evah love me?" He looked at her for a moment, and then walked out of the room.