Masquerade

3

It's been two weeks since my life fell apart, and though I'm still struggling with my mess of emotions, I'm slowly moving forward. When I'd received the papers from Spencer's lawyer only two days after I'd left our home, I knew he'd been doing more thinking about his decision than I had suspected. He'd evidently called it quits long before he'd finally let me on his decision.

That day had been hard, but today will be harder. Today I'll be going back for everything that's mine. I'll be packing up six years then putting them in storage, locking them away like so much hoarder's junk. I let out a sigh and then rub my temple, still fighting off the headache threatening to form there.

Aiden will be meeting me. He's promised to bring a friend, and though I'd rather it be just me and him, neither of us have a truck. His friend does. Besides, we might need the extra hands. I keep trying to convince myself with those words, the argument Aiden had given me to soften my stubborn pride.

When I finally pull up outside our ... Spencer's apartment, I shut off my engine and just stare at it a while. I had thought I might cry, seeing it again, but instead I just feel empty. Inside those walls are all the memories I'll spend my future trying to forget. When I hear a vehicle pull up behind me I let out a sigh of relief.

I get out of my car then turn to greet my brother. My heart thumps hard when I see it's not him. Spencer stands beside his car, staring back at me. He doesn't smile, doesn't frown, doesn't give any indication he feels anything at all. He just stares past me blankly, as if I'm not even here.

I turn away from him then lift my chin. I don't know what he's thinking, and I have no intentions on letting him know what I am either. I wait. When he finally leaves the street and steps onto the walk, he pauses and turns back to me.

"Are you coming in?"

I shake my head then meet his gaze. "I'll wait out here for Aiden."

He sighs and drops his head a little. "I told you I'd rent a truck for you. You didn't have to involve your brother."

"He offered because he cares about me."

His head jerks up and he meets my angry glare. "Christ, Willow, I still care."

"Like hell you do. Don't you dare stand there and try to fucking lie to me." My voice is rising with the heat of my anger. Bright spots of color bloom on Spencer's cheeks, as if I've slapped them both.

"Just because I'm being realistic doesn't mean I've stopped caring."

"Bullshit. If you really cared you would have been more supportive, would have understood. You would have honored your vows. But no, when things got hard you just said fuck it, I want something easier."

"Willow--"

"Don't you Willow me, you sorry bastard. I'm done listening to your excuses. You gave up, even after you promised me you never would. You're a liar, Spencer. You're a liar, and you're a coward." Tears are streaming down my face now, angry tears that burn nearly as hot as the rage inside my heart. I watch as he opens his mouth to say something. He closes it again just as quick then turns from me and walks to the apartment alone. He slams the door behind himself.

He's pissed and I couldn't care less. If he thought this was going to be easy, that I was just going to go quietly, then he'd been stupid too. I won't let him shift any of the guilt to me. This is not my fault, and I don't plan to let him forget it.

I roughly swipe the remainder of my tears off my face with the sleeve of my hoodie. A chill wind sweeps down from the cloudy sky, cooling my anger. I close my eyes and breathe it deep, letting it chill me from the inside too.