I paused curling my hair and set the curling iron down before bracing myself against the vanity counter. The marble top was cool against my fingers and I could feel the edge biting into my palms, letting me know that this was actually real and not a terrible nightmare.

I took a minute to gather my pride around me like an armor and dragged my eyes up to meet my own in the mirror. I was once told that it was hard for people to look themselves in the eye, to actually look at themselves as if they were looking at someone else. I needed to know who I was now, where I stood and the only way was to do just that.

My reflection stared back at me as I took in my appearance. I looked pale with a grey pallor to my skin. My honey brown eyes were usually my favorite feature about my face, but tonight they were puffy and red from crying and the grey just made them seem lifeless. Even my nose, chafed raw and red from using cheap toilet paper, betrayed how hard I had been crying.

Taking it all in, I realized I didn't really want to go. My dress was to be a surprise for Warren. He was to wear a matching red and black silk tie that I had custom made. The dress itself was a tight little number with a slit up one side that went so high I had to be careful not to move the wrong way or the world would get a good view of my ass. The bodice was tight and had a dramatic sweetheart neckline. Instead of simple rounded cups, they flared up on either side of my bust like two flames. I bought it knowing Warren's favorite color was red and that it would probably end up in tatters at the end of the night.

Well, joke is on me, I thought bitterly, fingers reaching out to caress the soft silk satin fabric. I stared at the dress for a long time, tracing the flared edges of the neckline. I'd bought it to set his world on fire — now it just felt like I would be wearing the ashes of our relationship.

"Allie!" called Theresa over the mind link. "Giiirrrlll you HAVE to come see what that twerp is wearing."

I chuckled, dropping my hand from the dress. "Is it that bad?"

"Worse. She looks like she saw one of the toddler pageant dresses and had it made to her size. Frills everywhere and at least 50 petticoats to make it stand out from her." I gave a snort through the link and Theresa continued, "She reminds me of those doll cakes that were mega popular when we were little."

I gave a weak chuckle, imagining a frosting avalanche and too high stilettos as I pulled the clips from my hair, letting the curls fall. I almost smiled at the thought.

Theresa was silent for a moment but I could tell she was still there.

"You're not coming tonight are you?" she asked softly.

I sent her a sigh. "No," I admitted. "I need a run. If I'm not back tomorrow, please just pack my stuff up and take it with you."

"You're not doing anything stupid, are you?" she asked, panic staining her mental voice.

I gave an actual chuckle. "Define stupid."

"Permanent stupid. Because I'll have you know I will resurrect your ass to kill you myself."

I couldn't help it, the mental image I pictured of her throttling a zombie version of me was too funny. "Nothing permanent," I promised, laughing. "But I think I'm going to run home."

"That's... That's a two day drive. Are you insane?"

"Possibly," I said in a tone that was the mental equivalent to a shrug.