*cross-posted from Purplish Thoughts. This is the first ficlet I ever wrote for this collection.

Sitting in front of the mirror, Irene convinces herself that she wanted this.

The hotel room is quiet now, save for the muffled sounds of the 80s movie playing in the background. They had not paid attention to the story at all. The room was filled with silent glances and heavy thoughts swirling in the air to notice anything else.

Her right hand clutches the bottle of mascara, wondering if it was safe enough to put on lest she cries again. Her phone shows 8:54 PM, half an hour since her companion left, for good, this time.

No amount of novels, movies, and songs had prepared her for heartbreak. It goes beyond words and even beyond feelings. Everything about her just feels so broken.

Her last memory of Wendy is a look of pity and remorse before heading out the door. It’s unfortunate, she says, to find their lives entangled again this time, but still… not meant to be together in the long run.

It really is unfortunate now because finally there’s someone else that weighs heavier to Wendy than Irene – someone worthy enough to be included in family dinners and someone that matters enough to spend every waking day with.

And everything about it pains Irene.

So she ends it. It was all or nothing at this point.

Either she gets all of Wendy’s attention and affection.

Or not a single ray of it all.

Feeling tears well up, she gives up putting on make-up. She w