A New Era.

She looked around her room, feeling that dull ache rise inside her. She couldn't breathe properly. Thoughts flashed in her mind. The beautiful time when they had laughed, laid together, hands laced as they fell asleep side by side. Then the yelling came, thundering in her mind, the happiness she had once known fled from her mind. She should have seen it coming. The flowers wilted, turning that ancient yellow on old tomes kept in the libraries. Artificial ones, bought at a cheap price on a date she had begged for, sat next to them in a vain attempt to liven the dead. The picture hung to the side, a reminder of the love he once held. The books cast aside, askew on the shelf. They had never been opened, nor did she think they ever would. Her chest swelled as she turned away, pulling the bedsheets up to her chin.

***

Life goes on. That's what he said as he turned away. Life goes on. Keep the shots coming. That's what he said as he played with his son. Keep 'em coming. That's what he said as he insisted he didn't love her, didn't care for her. Life goes on. Keep the shots coming. Buried in activities and work, this was what was best. Senior year, one of the biggest of their lives, was coming and this was what was best. It's for the best...

***

Sure, it wasn't long, but..she was curious. A girl can't contain her curiosity forever, can she? She just wondered, after so long of talking, did he feel the same?

***

He acted like he didn't care. But...just maybe he did.