HURT IN A YEAR

Bright blue and red lights danced across Lylah's face, making her cringe. She waved her hands in front of her eyes, her irritation palpable. Her bare feet dangled from the stool as she sat her drink on the bar counter.

"Love," she giggled, the sound laced with a hint of sarcasm.

Her hands trembled slightly as she rummaged through her black purse for the lighter. But her eyes lingered on the inscription on the lighter: "Princess."

Memories came flooding back.

He'd whispered, "You're my princess, Lylah," as he adorned her neck with a delicate necklace bearing a red butterfly pendant.

His lips had brushed against her hands, then her forehead. The tender moment now felt tainted.

Lylah lit her cigarette, the flame casting a brief, golden glow on her face. She took a long drag, the smoke curling around her as she exhaled. But the voice in her head wouldn't quiet.

"I don't like the way you dress, Lylah... I don't like your hip dips, go to the gym..." The criticisms stung, each one a fresh wound.

She gritted her teeth, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music. Her feet moved in time, but her mind was elsewhere.

She ran her hands through her hair, settling on the bangs that fell across her forehead. He'd once told her they looked nice, but now she wondered if he'd just been pretending.

As the music reached a crescendo, Lylah's emotions boiled over. She slumped down from her stool, her feet twisting in time with the beat.

But her eyes welled up with tears, and she felt herself falling. She landed hard on the floor, the impact jolting her.

The next thing she knew, she was bolting upright, water dripping from her hair, nose, and chin. She gasped for air, her lungs burning.

Fear etched on her face, she grasped the bathtub's edge, desperate for support. The cool ceramic felt solid beneath her hands, grounding her.

As she caught her breath, Lylah realized she'd needed this moment of clarity. The water had washed away the haze of the previous night's drinking and smoking.

Now, she felt raw, exposed, and ready to face whatever came next. A brand new day and a fresh start. She got out of the tub and stood before the mirror.

Her eyes were puffy and sore from crying too much. She's never had a moment of peace ever since they broke up.

She wondered if he also thought of her, if he also missed her, if she was all he could breathe, eat and sleep.

But in her heart, she really doubted it. This was the same man that was finding reasons upon reasons to tear them apart.

The same man that shattered the love in her heart, tarnished the respect she had for him, his name and his whole existence.

Her fingers rested on the lining of the jumper she wore.

"He hated jumpers", she sighed.

The tears threatened to spill, she wished she could tore her heart out of her chest.

She refused to feel but it was too late, way too late.

The door bell rang and with heavy steps, she walked out of her room and approached the entrance door.

Lylah's face fell as soon as her eyes landed on the tall brunette she was trying to hide from.

"What are you doing here Luna, I told you I was out of town", Lylah slumped into the sofa.

Luna gently shut the door, eyes fixed on her best friend of eight years, trying to figure out if she even knew whoever was seated before her.

"Lylah, I know you, the real you but look at what you've made him let you become, gosh", Luna threw her hands up in desperation.

Nothing hurt her than seeing her best friend reduced to nothing. The once capable lady had lost focus and was still searching for a man that had destroyed what they shared.

"I can't even recognize you, when did you start with the nose rings, you might as well get naked for him"

Lylah's gaze was sharp, uneasy and scary. The last thing she needed was Luna's yapping. But her friend wasn't backing down anytime soon.

"You're fucking wet at 8 in the morning Ly, 8, you'll catch a cold and that bum still wouldn't care. When are you going to realize that the rest of us exist and we love you more than he ever did!", Luna yelled.

Lylah didn't move, she stayed glued to her seat, her gaze still fixed on Luna.

She wanted to hate Luna for her words but not a single lie was told. It was the awful truth she was so desperately trying to ignore.

She needed to move on from him, she couldn't love a man that didn't respect himself enough to respect her. But how?

"He made promises, he said no one was leaving the other, you know we had lov-

"It's not about the love Lylah", Luna interrupted.

"You was just dumb enough to go back to him once after his disrespect so clearly he thinks you can't ever let him go."

"But I can right?", the tears shined in Lylah's eyes.

"I was fine before ", she added.

"Till he came to sweep you off your feet with his stupid essays and pampering!", Luna yelled.

Lylah closed her eyes tight, the tears finally falling. Luna felt for her friend.

She could feel Lylah's grief, the unbearable pain. No woman would want to experience what Lylah was going through.

She refused to love, yet he made her love and left her in the ruins. She hated herself for allowing everything to happen.

She hated the fact that everything about her, reminded her of him.

Luna squeezed herself next to Lylah. She hugged her friend tight, her very own tears clearly visible.

Now all that mattered was getting her friend back, on track and she was determined.

"We'll get through this Lylah, it's a promise ", Luna vowed.

"Maybe you shouldn't make promises you can't keep, promises are meant to be broken", Lylah whispered.