I knew I was better when I forgot to put the ring on. It was natural now. I woke up at 4am and like a reflex checked my phone to see that Alex had texted - a long paragraph - wishing me a new day. Signed "X", I'd smile and roll back over, wide awake. When I awoke for real I sat up, put on the zip up hoodie I keep by my bed, and made my way over to my clothes. I got dressed, put on jewelry, slipped on my Ugg boots and opened my door. Armani was at my heels at once, attacking and darting. That's when I noticed my bare left hand. It was valentines day and I hadn't put my ring on. I didn't forget to, as much as my mind finally decided I didn't need to. It was rightfully my ring in every way. Shane had said it meant nothing, there fore he meant nothing. So wearing it didn't mean I was still dedicated to him - even though it was sized for my ring finger. Still, I'd always think of him when I wore it, a small smile at the beauty of it. 

But not today. I didn't run back to put it on. I took it as a sign I didn't need to wear it and continued getting ready for school and work. Walking the halls at Delta I'd instinctively run my thumb over the inside of my fingers, checking for it and, of coarse, it not being there. While at work Dee noticed it was gone and I had to explain the whole situation, she smiled the whole time. "Well something must have happened, because every time I see you you're still smiling." Yes, I was happy. Was it really a loss if you were committed to a man that wasn't interested in commitment? Was it really a loss if you were lied to, played, and left forsaken? Dee continued to smile and laughed, tugging on one of my pig tails I had tied into buns. "Yeah," she said "Cassondra's from England, you know? She goes over often to see her family. You should talk to her."