He looked at her, looking at him. There was nothing in her

eyes but love. He wanted her to know how he felt. He opened his

mouth, but no words came out. She had taken his breathe away.

On top of the spiraling staircase, she looked at him with hopeful

eyes. She wanted him to love her. Even if it just was for tonight.

He knew, she knew, everyone knew. They were all alone, yet

they had each other. In her heart, she was crying. She knew they

could never be together. All she could ever have with him would

be tonight. Hot tears stung her deep, brown, eyes. She pushed

them back, determined to have this one time with him.

She began to glide down the stairs, her white dress flowing

behind her. It was a ball. The most formal thing either of them

had ever been to. Her eyes wondered to the other people. They

seemed lost in their own worlds. Or maybe it was just her.

He waited for her. He always had. Now, though, something

was different. There was an air of finality to everyone of their

movements. She reached him and smiled. He reached out and

took her hand.

Once in the center of the ball room a sad song began to flow

from the orchestra. It was a pity. He held her close to him and felt

everyone of her nerve-endings fight of tears. She was losing the

battle. He wouldn't soothe her with whispers of things beging

alright. They both new that it wouldn't really work out in the end.

They were all alone in the crowded room. No one could

have seperated them. Their bodies were numb, as they swayed to

the depressing music. She placed her head on his shoulder and

clung to him for dear life. She wasn't ready to let him go. Her

heart screamed at her to stay, but her mind forced her to step

away from him at the songs end.

She stepped back and looked him in the eye. She could no

longer fight the tears that now cascaded down her cheeks. She

didn't know, but it was the hardest thing he had ever done. To

watch her cry. To not be able to touch her. To hold her. To love

her. He turned slowly and began to walk away.

He thought he heard her whisper his name. He didn't turn

around. He couldn't. She was left there in the ballroom. No one

talked to her. No one looked at her. She stood there, by herself,

and wept silently. Now all she had was herself. Herself and her

lonlieness.