Jalepeño Cheetos

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he says softly. It’s not a question, it’s a statement. “I know.” Her eyes are on the tarmac and then on the constellations, but never on his face. “Why?” That makes her stop. She inhales a deep breath but regrets it a second later because now she can only smell him. Him, him, him. “Because it hurts to be around you and not have you.” Now it’s his turn to stop because the words are there now, separating him even further from her. “I’m sorry.” He can tell it’s not enough. Sorry is never enough. “It’s fine, I’m sure it’ll get easier.” She’s lying. He knows it and so does she. But neither of them say anything because it could never make a difference. Words will never be enough.

Once I stop caring you’re not getting it back. I’ll be cold as ice, I promise.