Realization

Once again, she finds herself on the outside looking in. She sees how they’re all there, surrounding him. Friends, family, him in the middle. He’s smiling and returning warm hugs. The biggest one to his mother of course. She can’t help but smile as she is witness to the sweet gesture. Then, he turns and it’s time to face his girlfriend. She’s all smiles, but those brown eyes betray her as another tear drops. He brushes it away with his thumb and she buries her face in his hand.

The girl outside watches the spectacle, almost in disbelief at the melodrama unfolding before her eyes. She watches as he relieves his girlfriend’s trembling lips with a kiss, in reassurance.

The urge to roll her eyes at the scene before her is too great, and she does so. She turns around and starts to walk away, laughing to herself. She doesn’t believe his girlfriend is being too dramatic. No. In fact, if she’s honest with herself, she can see that she feels the same way. Sad. Scared.

Only she doesn’t get the hug and the brush of his thumb against her cheek. She most certainly does not get the kiss on the lips either. All she gets is the picture perfect goodbye that does not belong to her, as she walks away without her own.

She feels the cold against her skin, but it doesn’t compare to the ache in her heart. Looking down at the ground, she can feel her eyes water. She blinks just as soon as she hears footsteps approach her.

“Hey!” he yells. “You’re not leaving without a goodbye, are you?”

She smiles as he spins her around. He sees her tear and wipes it off. “It’s the cold wind again?” he asks if the wind is the cause of her eyes watering. She gives him a nod, despite hating to lie to him. He smiles slightly before giving her a serious look.

“Don’t go changing on me,” he whispers to her. She shakes her head no, and he hugs her warmly, tightly. She hugs him back with the same force, and she realizes everything will be okay. They won’t stop talking and he won’t forget her. Sure, she’s not anyone important in his priorities. But, while falling out of love is easier than falling in, she knows she would never have it any other way. Because he can easily forget his girlfriend while looking for a good time with some random girl who is most likely looking at his wallet than his crotch. But you can’t replace a best friend.