The Holly Dates

by Brittainy C. Cherry

you like others more than yourself, which is its own issue. You should never care for another more than you care for yourself.”

“Don’t do that, Holly,” I whispered, lacing my hands together in my lap. “Don’t do what?” “Read the parts of my book that I don’t share with people.” “It’s a good book, Kai. I wish you’d let me read it all.”

I hate waking up alone, sleeping alone, and doing everything alone. But I would still choose this every day instead of crawling into the wrong person’s arms and accepting their breadcrumbs of love. Half-assed, lazy admiration is all he can give you, and it’s embarrassing how you’re so willing to accept it.”

It took me a long time to realize that being alone was much better than being lonely with the wrong individuals.

It took days, weeks, and years of unstable connections with people who didn’t belong. It took hours, minutes, and seconds of breakdowns, leading to breakthroughs. It took me choosing myself over others. That choice was never something that came easy to me.

All I ever wanted was for someone to stick around with me forever because the idea of being alone again terrified every inch of my being.

I nodded once. “Always.” “Don’t say always if you don’t mean it,” she joked. I locked eyes with hers. “Always,” I repeated.