Glass Slippers

one

"I have never heard a silence quite so loud
I walk into the room and you don't make a sound."

- Something's Gotta Give

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"Did you want me to get anything else from Safeway?" Mira looked up as Aaron spoke for the first time that morning. Breaking the tense silence as they ate breakfast. "I'll go grocery shopping after work today. Is there anything else you need?"

She huffed, shrugging as she continued playing with the food on her plate. He was doing it again.

He was tiptoeing around her again. Just like he had been for the past three days. And just like he had been for the past year.

He hadn't even mentioned the divorce, not even once. It was almost as if he thought that if they didn't talk it about, it would just be another forgotten subject. That she'd forget all about it and leave it as it was.

After she'd told him, he'd stared at her, almost in disbelief, with a hint of heartbreak.

And just as quickly, he'd stood up, leaving her all alone in the living room and slamming the front door on his way out.

She didn't know where he went that night. Or what he did.

But she had a faint idea.

It was where he went when they always fought. Every time they argued, it was the one place he went to, seeking comfort.

She could've easily followed him.

Thought she never did.

Mira wasn't ready yet. Not the slightest bit. She wasn't ready to confront him. Yet.

That morning, she'd woken up, his arms wrapped around her, his face nuzzled against her. Like they were still a perfectly happy couple.

The divorce completely forgotten about. Because he didn't say a single word about the divorce.

Neither did she.

Because she wasn't even sure if she wanted it. That was the thing though. She didn't want it but she needed it.

"Mushrooms. Bell peppers. And cheese." She reminded him.

Their conversation, awkward. Like they barely knew each other anymore.

"Right. I forgot about the cheese." His eyes still focused on her, even though she was looking everywhere but at him.

Mira placed the fork down, pushing aside the plate. She wasn't hungry anymore.

Just sad. And tired. Those were the only two things she felt, the only two things she ever felt.

Nervously, she looked at him. He was already staring at her and he didn't look away.

She hated looking at him.

His gray eyes, they were always full of sadness.

And she hated it.

Every time she looked at him, a part of her heart broke.

He looked nothing like the happy and carefree teenager, he acted nothing like the cocky and confident boy she'd easily fallen in love with. And was still in love with.

"And mushrooms. Don't forget to get mushrooms." She repeated, standing up and giving him a quick glance before grabbing her cup of tea and taking it upstairs, to her room. Not wanting to be around him a second longer.

Her decision, she wasn't too sure. But know, she knew it, more than ever.

She was already broken. And all along, she knew she was just making him miserable.

That's why they needed the divorce. They needed it, before it was too late.