Rooted like kelp in a sea of admirers, I became but another face in the crowd.
Strobe lights washed over her in rainbow colors as she dominated the stage in an oversized tee and shredded jeans, harmonizing lyrics of love and hate and heartbreak and lies in a group of five. People cheered her on, begging for her attention. Showering the stage with gifts of flowers and toys - and the occasional bra and panties - just to snare her attention.
She'd flash a smile at those lucky enough to catch her eye. Completely clueless that I was watching her from the front row; standing hand in hand with someone else.
There was, however, a split second when I thought she had noticed me. I was so sure she met my eyes after pausing in the middle of a song. Then, she shifted her gaze and looked ahead; returning to her groups routine.
Then I wasn't so sure anymore.
Maybe the lights made me invisible? Maybe my imagination was getting the better of me? Or maybe, just maybe, she had noticed me and hadn't cared enough to react. She was living her best life after all. Successful. Famous. Wealthy. An old flame didn't matter to her anymore. She'd moved on.
I was the only one lost at sea, still drowning in a years worth of memories.