Would You Rather

by Allison Ashley

He and Mia had been having silences since they were seven years old.

“No one ever picks me.” I’d pick you.

His blue irises were soft and kind, and the tiniest hint of a smile played around his lips.

Mia, those ocean scenes brought waves of guilt.

“If you and I ever kissed for real, you’d know the difference.” She shivered,

This was her and Noah, hidden from the world, but no longer hiding from each other.

Reality never had served him well.

She was meant to be his, a truth he felt deep in his bones. But she was scared, and nothing he could say would fix that.

You’re so afraid of losing her because you lost someone else you love, and it’s not easy to see someone you care about live in fear.

The thing we fear most has the greatest reward.

“Remembering how much it meant to him is exactly why I won’t stop. It’s my way of honoring him and his legacy.

“I’ll always come back for you. Always.”