A/N: Two in one night…Wow. This one was a challenge. You can thank, or blame, a certain reviewer…depending on what you think. /grins/ My 'drabbles' are getting longer, have you noticed? I'm kind of happy about that. You can decide which of our lovely ladies is talking, because it could be either one.

Driveway

By Melissa

"It is very hard to be in love with someone who no longer loves you, but it is far worse to be loved by someone with whom you are no longer in love." - Georges Courteline

---

After twelve, not so well
Won't pretend it's too soon to tell
What's around this bend
No disgrace... about face...
Anything not to have to chase
You down again

It was after 12pm, and I tapped my foot slightly as I glanced at my watch. This was typical for her. At one time it didn't bother me. But I guess that was when I was actually important to her.

She forgot about me, again.

I really, really need to stop being surprised. It still hurts though.

I stopped call and texting a while ago. She didn't answer either way.

You know
Nothing hurts like losing
When you know it's really gone
Except for the pain of choosing
To hold too long

Can you lose something you never really had in the first place? I believe so. I had her. Maybe not the way I really wanted, but in a way none the less. And that is better than nothing.

Things had been slipping lately. We just haven't been as close as we once were. I can't place why. There were no fights I can think of. No falling outs, if you don't count now.

It's like we're drifting…and the space is doing nothing but grow.

Her car finally pulls up at 12:20am.

I tried it your way
But I got nothing to show
It's been the same, same
And the story's getting old
So I guess the driveway
Will be the end of the road
For us it's too late
Let the credits start to roll

I tried to be patient, I really did. What has that gotten me?

Less than nothing.

Did I do something? Say something? What went so wrong between us?

Maybe we just weren't meant to be. A lot of people aren't. That is what this whole stupid dance called life is about. People come and go.

I guess I just thought she would have been one of the ones who stayed.

A lot to say, but not today
Let the radio break the silence
As we drive
A kiss goodbye, not this time
Don't remember what about this song
I ever liked

The trip was silent, except for the words pouring out of the radio in the dash. I gave it the death glare. I shouldn't be mad at the inanimate object just because we ran out of words a while ago.

I know why this song is a favorite. I like this song because it reminds me of you. It's on my iPod in the playlist sporting your name. Now I have a feeling that I am going to end up hating it for the same reason.

I lean my head back against the seat rest and close my eyes, trying to will myself not to cry.

I won't.

Not yet.

She pulls into my driveway, not bothering to shut off the car and come in, like she so often used to do.

We would hug and often give a kiss on the cheek when one of us left the others car. Or a squeeze of the hand and a wink.

That won't be happening this time.

And probably never again.

You know
Nothing hurts like losing
When you know I'm already gone
Except for the pain of choosing
To hold too long

Neither of us had the backbone to do it. It should have been like a band aid. Just rip it off and be done. But no, we had to prolong the torture. Like breaking a bone repeatedly.

Break and reset. Break and reset.

So much pain.

We're just too far gone.

I tried it your way
But I got nothing to show
It's been the same, same
And the story's getting old
So I guess the driveway
Will be the end of the road
For us it's too late
Let the credits start to roll

I thought maybe we were getting somewhere
But we're still nowhere at all
I watch your tail lights fading
I try but the tear wont fall
I remember what it feels like to know
Love and have it taken away
Can't think of what I learned right now
But I'll be thanking you someday

"See you later?"

I give a tight smile in the darkness of the car interior. I doubt it could be seen anyway.

"Yeah," I reply.

But I know it isn't true. I think deep down she knows it as well.

I guess this is a learning experience. It may not be such a great thing to let someone inside your defenses. Because then you, unintentionally, give them the power to hurt you.

She throws the car in reverse and pulls away, the red lights receding into the darkness. My being in love with her seems to be following along behind, away from me.

It's just as well.

They say you can't really love until you've had your heart broken. I'm sure I will thank her for that some time in the future.

But not today.

I tried it your way
But I got nothing to show
It's been the same, same
And the story's getting old
So I guess the driveway
Will be the end of the road
For us it's too late
Let the credits start to roll

I tried so hard to do it your way. I bided my time, hoping that somehow, someway, you would see what was right in front of you all along. You always said you were looking for true love. Aren't we all?

I'm right here. I could be what you were looking for all along.

Show's over folks. Nothing to see here.

Just a chalk outline of where my heart was ripped out of my chest and now lies on my porch.

Let the credits start to roll

So I guess the driveway
Will be the end of the road
(Be the end of the road)
Will be the end of the road
(Be the end of the road)

I sat down heavily on the wood. My mind and body are too weary to do anything else.

This story got too old.

Sparks exploded behind my eyelids as I shut them and finally give into the tears. The pain proved to be too much.

It reminds me fireworks.