My tear-stained reflection glares back at me. My breath fogs up the window and I continue to walk, leaving the stores behind. My heels leave footprints in the snow and make gentle crushing noises that calm me down. Out here, I can breathe.
There are lights everywhere, even in the black sky. Buildings tower over my slender body and I shiver because know I am lost and no one is looking for me.
Even if Anthony were to find out where I am, he wouldn't come for me. He wouldn't care. He is probably at home, working on a charcoaled drawing. Can he possibly be thinking of me?
I bring my hand up and wipe a tear from my cheek because there's no use crying when no one can hear you.
Quickening my pace, I pull my jacket tightly around me and whisper words of relaxation. Without looking up, I keep going. Suddenly my body hits something tall.

"Ow!" I cry, raising my head. "I'm sorry."

"Paris?"

I look into a pair of dark eyes. "Christian?"

"I haven't seen you for so long!" He hugs me closely. I smile.

"I know. What are you doing here?"

He shows me two tickets. "I just came back from a concert." I study him for a moment.

"Was it any good?"

"Fucking amazing." He pauses and runs a hand over his black shirt. "Where'd you come from?"

"Another one of those parties. This time I left."

"I don't blame you."

I stare at my feet for a moment, trying to make sense of what I am feeling. I ruffled his messy black hair and laugh pleasantly. "You changed so much!"

"I guess. So have you."

"Not really."

"How have you been?"

"I don't know. I've been okay," I lie.

"You're not very concinving."

"At least I tried." I smile shyly.

"So you want to go get a drink or something?"

I look at him, a bit confused. " , sure."

"Cool." He gestures for me to grab his arm so I do and we cross the street together. Somehow I'm glad he's with me.