Paper Cuts

Seeing you made her quiver, even in her sleep. She wished to go up and talk to you in this crowded room, but the way the relationship ended made her feel unwelcome. She was with the new man she had named ‘Lover’ but still felt that she should approach you. Until finally you caught a glimpse of her, and then looked away. Even though you don’t want to, you know she would appreciate it if you approached her with a sweet hello. And from afar she saw you come her way, and the thunder began to rumble in her stomach. As you walked, she noticed a different posture that she had never quite seen before. A sort of arrogance in your steps made it clear that you were a new Michael. She quickly told her ‘lover’ that she would be right back, and was soon face to face with you. The smirk on your face was like nothing she had ever seen. She was searching in your eyes, for the old you, but all she could see was a recording of the night where it had all ended. She had reached the part where you grabbed hold of her hand, and said “Rose, you know…” and quickly ended when she was bumped by a shadow in the crowded bar. Now saying, “Hey, Rose, what’s up?” which left a bitter taste in her mouth. She never planned what she would say, when this time came, so there was a slightly awkward pause, finally able to force a “Hey Mike” out. After asking how she was, she wanted to tell him how much she truly missed him; the smell of his hair, the way his jeans tore at the bottom, and the way he looked in the morning. But she just replied, “good, and you?” and he said, “I’m good thanks.” She knows, she no longer wants to look into the eyes of this Michael, nor hear this unfamiliar voice. Realizing there was nothing left to talk about, they said their goodbye and both turned to return to their opposite corners. But she immediately turned around, and asked him if it was all worth it, and he said, “Yes Rose, I needed you to remember me.” “What do you mean?” she replied. He then said, “you remember those who hurt you the most.” She then woke up, recalling the dream, and realized there, Michael was sleeping with the same look he had given her in her dreams.