Heartfelt Farewells

Irene looked like stress if stress had both taken up a name and a face. I'm starting to lose count here how many times already I've seen that same gaunt, disheveled look on her expression… and every time I'm more and more amazed that somehow it never proved a detriment to her looks. 

Seriously… stress has never looked more enticing in a blazer.

"How are you holding up?" I asked, brushing away a loose strand of her between her eyes, but I couldn't quite get it off right even after a few attempts. 

"I'm fine," She replied, wounding up swiping the strand away herself, as she turned towards the station platform. "How are you holding up?"

I turned with her. "Fine."

"And Sera?"

"She's fine," I replied, feeling that tinge of guilt surge again, and narrowing my lips to a long flat line. "Just not happy."