How do you heal from a broken heart? You’d found yourself pondering that thought a lot lately in the lead up to tonight. Another weekend, another party, another chance to run into your ex. And you’d known tonight would be worse than any of the other post breakup run-ins, because now Rafe was single again. And a single Rafe was dangerous to your heart.

You were leaning against Topper, just chatting easily, when Rafe walked into the party. His eyes immediately landed on you, darkening when they noticed the way Topper had lazily draped his arm around your shoulder.

and you say I abandoned the ship, but I was going down with it

“What’s this then?” Rafe asks angrily, his jaw clenching as he stands in front of you. Topper slowly drops his arm from around you, already knowing he didn’t want to be a part of what was sure to be a fight.

“Stop. We were talking. I’m allowed to talk to whoever I want.” You cross your arms and glare angrily up at him.

“Please. That’s not what this is. You’re running. That’s what you do when things get too serious, you run. You should know that Top, she’ll run on you too”

“Excuse me? I run? I think you have us confused. I’m not the one who broke up with you for someone else. That was you”

“You should’ve fought for me, fought harder. You always fight. But you didn’t fight for me” he shoots back, his eyes blazing.

“Oh, should I have begged? Said please? Done the whole pick me, choose me, love me spiel? No. Because if you had really wanted me there wouldn’t have been a choice”

you swore that you loved me, but where were the clues?

You’re breathing hard now, and your eyes are starting to burn. You’re dangerously close to crying. Rafe’s presence is too much-the scent of his skin, the glint in his blue eyes. It’s all a potent reminder of everything you’d lost. Of what you could still have if he’d just say the right words.

But he’s not saying anything. He’s standing stubbornly in front of you, silently waiting for you to be the first to show emotion.

oh, the tragedy