Close As Strangers

The Stress of Love

I called Luke, but there was no answer, so I figured he was probably on stage.I sat on the couch in the dim light from the kitchen, "I want to die," I said out loud. I got up and walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My hair that I've bleached blonde for years was messy, my eyes were red and puffy from crying, my lips were raw from chewing on them, and my nose was pink from rubbing it. I just stared at my reflection and turned on the shower. The shower jets sprayed boiling hot water from all directions and I sat in the middle of it and cried. I never thought something like this would happen. I always wanted to avoid the stress of falling out of love, but it wasn't me who fell out of love, it was Calum and it was all my fault.
When I was finished in the shower it was almost 3AM and I had to get up at 5:30 for work anyway, so I got into bed and tried to sleep. I just tossed and turned for what felt like forever. My alarm went off as I started to fall asleep. I got out of bed and threw on some semi-professional clothing and did a little makeup. I went to start my car. I took his keychain off my keyring and threw it on the couch before leaving. I slammed my car door and sighed. I turned the key, "Please work," I mumbled. The engine just clicked. I cursed under my breath and tried again. The engine roared to life and I started my two hour drive to work. I didn't stop for my usual coffee or breakfast, I just drove. I work at the Smithsonian in Denver, CO as a forensic anthropologist. I don't get paid as much as you'd think because I'm a low paid intern, but what am I gonna do?