Clarity Of The Other Man

considered her future. The shock had begun to wear off, but the pain hadn't dulled. Her once vibrant world

sts, the walls holding the memories of smiles and whispered promises. Lena couldn't stand to see t

r aimlessly wandering through the town. She had no destination, no plan, just

en oddly comforting. His easygoing nature had reminded her that not everyone in the world was out for personal gain. It had been a

once reserved for Jackson. She barely noticed the hours slipping by, her mind focused on the tasks at hand. The steady rhythm

oughts. Lena glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a

ce again made her stomach churn. Her finger hovered over the screen, the temptation to pick up overwhelmin

rt filled the quiet room. She didn't listen to it. Instead, she stared at her phone, fighting the urge to re

why. The place seemed to pull her in, offering a sense of peace that she couldn't find anywhere else.

edge, his eyes trained on the water. He hadn't

ked, a faint smile

hudding in her chest. "I di

, standing up and giving her space to si

voice incredulous. "You'v

it is about you, but I can't stop thinking about that night. You seeme

ated with her in a way she didn't know how to explain. She had barely sp

ly, taking a seat on the bench. "Maybe I should be

nd light and carefree. "You m

y in her lap. "It's just... I haven't been in the best pl

'm here if you need someone to talk to. I won't press

d spent so much time hiding from the people who loved her, pushing them away

"I don't know if I'm ready to

and unassuming. "No rus

t comforting. For the first time in days, Lena felt her walls begin to crack. The cold

d suddenly, the words slipping out befo

d to. His presence was enough, offeri

t answer. I don't know what I would say if I did.

his voice gentle. "Moving on isn't something you do in one

rning. "I don't even know who I am anymore. I g

ested. "Take it one step at a time. I'm sure yo

r that she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time-hope. Maybe it wasn't t

he weight of her emotions pressing down on her chest. "But

It was genuine, warm, and full of promise. "I'm not goi

A tiny spark of possibility that maybe, just maybe, she cou

erred by the obstacles in its path. Maybe that was the lesson she nee