The Upside of Falling

by Alex Light

“I’m guessing you want to be the prince?” “Only if you’re the princess.”

I sat there for a while thinking about how I had lucked out on choosing a pretty great fake girlfriend.

“Reading helps me. It’s like I’m in another world when I read. And all the problems in my life don’t exist anymore. It helps.”

People leave, Brett. It’s not our fault for not giving them a reason to stay. It’s their fault for not finding one.

“I can’t believe I have a crush on a girl with such horrible ice cream taste.”

It’s like I said, people always leave. Parents, friends—it doesn’t matter. It’s all temporary and I’m not sure I can handle another person walking out on me.” “Then let me show you that I can be the one who stays.”

“You’re falling in love?” he asked. “I am,” I said, wiping a tear off my cheek, “and it’s greater than any book I ever read.”