The Push

by Ashley Audrain

You didn’t hide how smitten you were, smiling right at me every so often; I looked away each time. I had never experienced attention like that from anyone before.

I had a small circle of friends who were more like acquaintances.

The comfort I found in you was consuming—I had nothing when I met you, and so you effortlessly became my everything.

I wish it hurt more. I wish I could still feel it like it happened today. Sometimes I have moments when the pain is gone and I think, My God, I’m dead inside. I’ve died with him

But life was moving on, I realized as I looked away from you, whether I wanted it to or not.