Walking Away

"Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger across a crowded room"1

Janie whispered the words from her favorite song into the still air as her gaze was transfixed on Jordan's image, debonair and suave in his prom tuxedo, positioned across a sea of faces.  IT was ironic that Jordan was the stranger who she saw across a crowded room.  Jordan- the one who once proclaimed he knew her best.  Alexis was fixed on his arm, clutching too tightly it seemed.  Wanting to escape confrontation, Janie fled to the bathroom, inhaling the bleach filled hair in gulps as she stared at her pale and blotchy face.  In an attempt to calm herself down, Janie applied more make up , silently praying she would relax before her face resembled that of a circus clown.2

Janie quickly glanced up, startled by the sudden clanking of spiked heels.  In waifed the smell of perfume Janie knew belonged to only one person; Alexis.3

As Alexis poised herself beside the sink Janie experienced a sudden cold draft, brought on by either her imagination or Alexis's frosty glare.4

Snapping her purse closed with a definitive air, Janie turned to leave Alexis's icy stare and blood red lips.  With her hand on the door, Janie turned away.5

"He still loves you."6

Janie halted.7

"He won't admit to it- but I saw the way he looked at you out there."8

Slowly turning, Janie found herself facing Alexis for the first time in months.9

"You know, he use to look at me like that.  Do you love him?"10

The question hung about in the air, threatening to suffocate all those in the room.11

" The old Janie does.  Always will.  But I'm not here anymore."12

And with that, Janie walked away, leaving Alexis to cry alone.13