I really have nothing to say but this just popped into my head. I hope you like it!
He thought he was over her. He thought that he would never again feel the sharp pang in his chest when he saw her holding her boyfriend's hand. He thought he would simply admire her eyes, instead of being completely mesmerized by them. He also thought that the next time she'd say his name; he wouldn't wish to hear longing in her voice. He honestly thought he could get away with saying her name without longing in his voice, but most of all, he thought he wasn't in love with her anymore.
He loved her because of everything that she was. She was so amazingly beautiful that he couldn't help but love her, and he realized that feeling as if he could not love her was the dumbest idea he ever had. Tina. She had a pretty name, too, a name he found almost as pretty as her eyes. Almost.
Those eyes, damn those eyes. Most people don't notice her eyes, just the expressive layers of makeup around them, but he did. He loved the deep, dark color of her eyes because they reminded him of her personality. He especially loves her eyes now, because if she's not going to give him her love, he can look in her eyes and remember what it felt like.
He also loves her style. He loves how even though Tina is way too insecure for a girl as beautiful as herself, she doesn't show her insecurities through makeup. The bright colors are there for expression, not to hide from her actual skin tone. Though he told her the opposite, he completely and utterly loves how she dresses. He was an idiot, a power-seeking idiot (because of being in his chair, but that's no excuse) for ever telling her otherwise. She dresses so much like her personality that it's amazing.
Another amazing thing about her is that behind her shyness, she was a powerful, yet sweet, lady. Only using the force of her feminist words when needed, she was absolutely the nicest person he had ever met. He adored the cute facial expressions she wore when she was nervous or unsure, and the way she'd hint at something because she was too afraid to ask for herself. (That was with other people, she used to be comfortable asking Artie for anything) But with Mike, she was more straightforward. Mike was a better boyfriend for her in everyway that.
When he saw Tina singing 'Sing' with Mike, he knew it was over. He knew he'd never again enjoy the hanging taste of sour cherry on his lips or the way her hand felt intertwined with his. He would never see her smile again because of something he had said, and he most certainly would never talk to her again for more than five minutes at a time. He screwed up, and had lost the battle to Mike Chang.
"Artie?"
"Tee- uh, I mean Tina. What's up?"
"I-I just… can I ask you something?"
"Yes," he answered immediately, hating himself because she was being hesitant with him.
"I was just wondering if you and Brittany are still together."
"No, we're not. Why?"
"I was just curious," she said before walking away.
His heart was beating too fast, and he tried to will away his hope. His heart broke for the second time when she looked back at him with a conflicted look on her face, before shaking her head and running to catch up with Mike. He should've kept fighting. This time, he really had lost the battle.