The Broken Hearts Ball
This tale follows 4 strangers who attend the Broken Hearts Ball on Valentine’s Day in Downtown Houston. Their stories show that heartbreak comes in many different forms and is a universal language.
Scene: The Peitho Hotel in Downtown Houston is hosting the first ever Broken Hearts Ball. For the price of a $200 ticket, people can attend a lavishly decorated ballroom complete with an open bar, a DJ, and endless food. There is a large wall decorated with balloons and a banner that reads, “WHO BROKE YOUR HEART?” In front of the wall, about 6 feet away, there is a table that runs parallel to it. The table is covered in tons of red sticky notes and black sharpies. There is a stage at the front of the ballroom where the DJ performs with a dance floor in front of it. Surrounding the dance floor are the tables where people are eating, talking, and drinking.
Cici & Saul
Cecilia’s Lyft pulled up out front of the Peitho Hotel. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She had checked her makeup no less than 10 times on the ride over. She needed to make sure her red lip looked perfect, as it was the only thing about her that made her look like she had it together that night. She approached the door and showed her ticket to the door man, who quickly nodded, smiled, and said, “Welcome in. Have a great night.”
It was only 7:00, but she headed straight to the bar as Jermaine Stewart’s, “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” played in the background.
“Hi,” The cheery bartender said. His name tag read, “Tad”. “What can I get you?”
“Hello, I’ll have a shot of tequila and an extra dirty vodka martini, please.”
“Starting early, are we?” Tad asked with a big smile.
Cici smiled back. “Absolutely.”
He poured her tequila shot and she drank it immediately. As Tad made her martini, she looked around the ballroom. There were tons of people. Some were laughing and kissing.
Ok, but what the fuck are people like that doing here? Did they come together as a couple, or are these strangers that are already hooking up? They better be strangers. This is a broken heart's ball, after all. She thought to herself, brow furrowed. She felt annoyed that people were happy at an event that was obviously geared towards people that were supposed to be sad like her.
She continued scanning the room as she leaned against the bar. Some were dancing. There were some people sitting at tables alone, some standing alone in corners and up against the walls, just observing. She swore she even saw a few people crying. She understood how they felt and found their open displays of despair comforting. It was nice not feeling alone.
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