Hello Beautiful

by Ann Napolitano

Sylvie had seen a photo of the aftermath of a massive earthquake once, and the image had stayed with her. A road split in half lengthwise, revealing the middle of the earth, and how silly humans were to build houses and schools and cars on top and pretend they were safe.

Sylvie found that she could accept his choice even if she didn’t fully understand.

Emeline had always seemed occupied with watching everyone else and trying to be helpful, but she’d stayed on the sidelines, as if it weren’t her turn to live.

“It was hard for me to accept the fact that we don’t choose who we love, because who you love changes everything.”

The structure buckled under its own weight.