Red solo cup. Occupying my shaking hand. I stare at you from across the room.

Childish Gambino plays on the stereo. A beat so loud, it causes the apartment to move. You dance along to the rhythm while I pay mind to lyrics.

Rainbow led lights flash in sync. My head aches from it, yet the drink in my cup soothes. I can see illuminations of your expression.

Filas. The brand of shoes you wear as y...

He did not wish to see her this way. How could he?

In the literal context, how could he. With some fucked up fate, they wound up in the same exact airport at the same exact time. In neighboring terminals.

Of course, he still thought, ‘How can I?’

Her expression was melancholic. Shoulders slumped. Her naturally curly hair was more so deflated and messier than he was used to. The bags under her...

Life without you.

A life I have lived.

Before your existence in my universe

And after you vanished.

Prior to you I did not know this feeling.

I dished it out.

I was the waitress. I served and delivered.

Familiar concepts that were unfamiliar to experience.

Ways I did not understand and did not wish to encounter.

Still.

You came around and sat me down.

Offering an experience.

Ways of living ...

Then it begins.

Blameworthy conception.

Without this particular day, perhaps her future would have played out with ease. Graduating high school, going to college, getting the proper care and help.

Yet, fate decided otherwise.

Tanya found herself at this party. This precise party.

Parties weren’t an unknown concept to the girl. At this ripe age of sixteen, her “sweetest” of years, she had b...