The moment right before you break.

The one where everything closes in.
Where time stops, just for a second.
And your breath catches in your throat.
And then it happens.

The first tear slips out.

While you rush away, hoping no one saw it.
To close the door, and put the headphones in, turning the volume up way too loud.
And you cry.
Softly at first, but slowly it becomes more violent.
Until your entire body is racked with sobs.
While your head and thoughts race.
With the reasons for these tears.

But you pull yourself together, and whipe your eyes.
Breathing deeply as you fix makeup.
And put a smile back on, one broken and bruised.
And push everything else away.
While opening the door to face the world **again.