Take a Bow
SS by Amanda

She's rehearsed it a million times. More than she ever did for her own movie. She's spoke the words so many times, over and over in her head. So many times that she's sure she could do it in her sleep. Anywhere. But knowing she can do it doesn't make it any easier for her to do it. If anything, it makes it harder.

It's inevitable. She knows that. It's something that's been sitting silently in the background for months. Always there. Always avoided. But she knows she can't avoid it forever. Nor does she really want to. You can only hide a wound for so long before it starts to kill you. And that's what she feels right now. Like she's dying. From something that is supposed to breathe life into her.

She's knows he feels the same way. She can see it in his eyes. The love that was once there, dulled now. She's now so common to him. So normal. So not special. Their sparkle is gone. Swept away when she wasn't looking. She can't pinpoint when or why but she knows it happened. It's evident all around her. She can no longer deny it.

Sometimes when she looks at him, she swears she can see resentment. And she's sure that she's had that look as well. Because sometimes she does resent him. Though she's not totally sure what for. Maybe it's for what they've become. Or what they are missing out on. Either way, she knows it's there. And that it shouldn't be.

It's neither of their fault. Things happen. People change. It's an everyday occurrence. She's seen in a million times. His parents. Her parents. That tiny gap that soon leads to the huge distance. They are on two separate roads, growing up and moving on, away from each other. They no longer have the same dreams that they did when they were twelve. They no longer see the future the same way. It's life. And she knows it. But again, it doesn't make it any easier.

He rarely calls anymore. And it doesn't bother her. At least not as much as it should. They still are able to put on that image of the picture perfect couple when they have to. Even when the picture is distorted to them. It's just another act on the stage that is their lives. Just another performance for the crowds. The actors out for more applause.

She often wonders what people would think if they really knew what went on behind closed doors. That the fairytale couple is. . . . Well . . . . Normal. That they fight and bicker just like everyone else does. That he's called her every degrading name imaginable. That she once hit him so hard that she knocked him to the floor. That their feelings change just like everyone else's. That their love diminishes. And hurts. Badly.

She doubts they would believe it. Not that she blames them. They've perfected their act so well that they've even convinced themselves that they are the perfect couple. At least at times. When she can see the boy she fell in love with. And he sees the same in her. But then they go back to reality. Back to the world where they only act like the perfect couple, but know they are not. Perfect couples don't do the things they do. Perfect couples don't lie the way they do.

She caught him once. Making out with one of the dancers on tour. It hurt back then but she forgave him. And then turned around and did the same thing to him. She believed it was fair play and somehow he did too. So they continued it. Jenna. Wade. A different pawn in a different city. They became very good at the game of jealousy. So good that she now believes that it's more about the game than it is about the jealousy. And she knows it isn't right.

She's angry. At the world. At him. But mainly, at herself. For letting it get this far. For letting herself feel this way. For letting it continue. So the rehearsal goes on. With the knowledge that the words she dreads to say soon has to come from her mouth. Knowing that it will hurt. Knowing that she will miss him. But also knowing that it's the only thing to do. It's the right thing to do. It's the only way to save them.

So tonight, her new act begins. She will delve deep into her soul. And look into the eyes that have held her for so long. And she will tell him that she loves him. But that she's no longer in love with him. And she will ask him to let her go.

And he will pull her into his arms and kiss her lips the way he did when they first met. That perfect, beautiful kiss that he gives only to her. And then he will watch her walk away.

Because all that glitters is not gold. Love fades even when you don't want it to. And after a while, even the most beautiful things can become ordinary.

She has learned that every fairytale has an ending. And tonight, she'll close the book on theirs.