Aparting

"We're together but not."
"We're not really a couple, no."
"He's not my boyfriend."
"I'm technically single, yes."

She says awkwardly. She says over and over again. She repeats, faltering every time. Then she leans her head on his shoulder, plays with his hands, squeezes his knee. She goes home with him five times a week, she keeps a contact lens case in his bathroom.


"Why are you with him all the time then?"
"Well, we're just together a lot, that's all."
"You know he sees other girls right? He was holding this girl's hand the other night."
"I.. I know. We're not together. It's fine. I don't care. I'm not bothered."


She falters. They hold hands together, he leans towards her, he tells her he won't ever trade her, she is an individual, he enjoys who they are, he likes her forherhewouldneverleaveherheoihfwerwoihgewoeirwer...
A girl walks past, he turns away, calls out to her. She stares at her empty hands. She starts to fade.

--


She is sitting with him, watching him watching her watching him. Just because she understands it, doesn't make it hurt less.

She gets up to walk away.
(He doesn't notice)