catharsis
(n) the purging or release of emotional tensions, esp. through art or music
    I've always been surrounded by words.
    They float around in the air like bubbles, invisible, elusive. I like to tell people that words are like spiders, ever-present but never acknowledged, and consequently one of the most underrated things in the world. They represent our life. Our thoughts. They are, in a way, the building blocks of the universe. And I make sure...

“The one you took just now. Of me being a dying cow and choking.”
    She laughs again. It’s a very nice laugh. I find myself wanting to hear it again. Just a laugh, I remind myself. Nothing to obsess over.
    “I didn’t record you. And even if I did, I wouldn’t post it.”
    I fold my arms, narrowing my eyes. “You lie.”
    “You dare accuse me of lying?” she gibes playfully, returning to the barre.
    “Isn’t that what I...

Jenna Markowitz stands in front of the barre.
    She doesn’t see me, not yet. This is a small room, barely 20 feet across with a mirror lining one of the walls. And still she doesn’t see me, only because I stand in the barely-lit doorway, and anyway why would anyone have any reason to look at me at all?
    I am nothing special. I’ve got olive skin and brown eyes and mousy brown hair. I’ve got a small nose that’s...

In, out, in, out. Breathe.

Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

“I love you, Jax Owens,” I say aloud, but I’m not sure if the sound comes out. “You are the light of my life, the candle in my darkness. You’re my other half. We’re one soul, one bright and burning and beautiful flame.

“And I love every part of you.” I choke on another sob. “I love the glint in your eyes right before you make a joke....

“Fix it.”
    “It’s a ransom note; I don’t care about grammar!”
    “There is no excuse for bad grammar,” you say steadily, pointing to the space where a period should be but isn’t. “Fix it.”
    Ben draws a dot next to the sentence. “Happy?”
    You read it over.

    Dear, dear Anita,
    We love you. That should be cleared up right now. You’re a good person. Maybe toogood. So good that you might...