His Reluctant Heart

s a flurry of ideas, each one more agonizing than the one before it. She was reeling from the expe

amian's words were gentle, they had a profound effect on her. He'd said, "You're not like the o

that was staring back at her appeared strange and imperfect. She took in the untamed tangle of her hair, the f

bt that threatened to overtake her. She doubted her knowledge, her

he was faulty or broken in some manner, rendering her unlovable. She grew increas

se, tears pinched at the corners of her eyes. But she always seemed to fall short, no m

body feel heavy. She had the impression that there wa

m. Surrounded by the broken remains of her self-worth, she collapsed upon her bed. A di

e of sorrow overcame her as she groggily reached over to turn it off. The weig

at motionless, staring at the wall. Why get out of bed at all?

ad. The comments spoken by Damian had really wounded her. She kept th

or herself. Not even bothering to wipe them away, she let them fall. When everyth

s completely unaware of the sun setting outside her window or the ringing of

ally fell back down on her bed as the darkness encircled her. "Why?" sh

causing her to feel inadequate? Why did

hirl in her head. Amara felt as though she was vanishing into the dep

back to her. Her ex-boyfriend Alex was seated next to her on a beac

. "Hey, beautiful," he said.

swered, "Just how happy I am right now," in a

swered, "I'm happy too," and took her

felt nice underfoot. Alex drew her close as

ve you," as his li

tion. She answered, "I love yo

eath was infused with the aroma of the sea air, and the sound

making her feel cold. Amara's heart raced in tune with his,

. As if the two of them were all that mattered, Am

e horizon, Alex pulled awa

ful," he said in a

She said, "You're pretty great yourself," she re

r's arms, and their lips met again as th

one another's arms. It terrified her because she had never felt thi

probing hers. His voice was low and scratch

on't know," she answered in an almost

e. "I'm happy too," he added, dr

her's arms. She believed that she had discovered the one pers

the night went on. She considered every scenario t

eting his. She started, "Alex, I have to t

his gaze fixed on h

voice hardly raised above a whisper, "I'm scar

es softened. He muttered, "I'll never hurt y

ed she had made the right choice. She was w

ion confronted her. Without Alex by her side, she lay in bed by he

d. With the intention of eradicating the remaining misery,

f when her phone buzzed, indicatin

onight," Leah said in a happy tone. I have a

, I

eah and Amara wer

you doing?"

coffee. "I suppose I'm doing a

thetic. Sorry to hear it

paused. However, she felt she could rely

t sure why, but I feel like I'm in a rut. I d

eed to distract yourself from things sometimes,

t, though, and decided it might not be a bad idea. It would provide h

right," with a glimmer of resolve. "I

ibe! We can begin applying to jobs after I assist y