Which makes me unreasonably jealous.
My AI is better at talking to her than I am.
I can’t believe I haven’t noticed what he lacked before.
She opened my eyes.
Again.
When she lay on the cafeteria floor, gasping for air, her eyes—wide and stormy with fear—searched for mine. The terror in them cut deep.
She could have died.
She could have died without ever knowing how I feel about her or knowing that she’s not alone.
That moment pushed me past my usual shyness, propelling me into a boldness I never felt before. I was able to speak toher, to connect with her more openly than ever. Yet, as soon as I stepped away, my old insecurities surged back, resetting all the progress I thought I’d made.
Today, seeing her again, I felt as if I was back at square one.
I heard the sneers, of course. My instinct was to stand, to confront them, to defend her as she deserved. But just like back in school, faced with bullies, I froze. I couldn’t muster the courage to act.
Not even for her. And I’m ashamed of that.
Do I even deserve her?
Then there’s Grey. When he stepped in and shut those guys up, I felt a mix of relief and jealousy—not of him, but of his ability to act, to protect her in ways I wish I could.
Another reason why we—as a group, a family—need to keep her around. I want and will give her all of me. She can have me whole.
But I’m lacking.
I know that.
And I’ve learned it’s okay to have weaknesses when you have friends who can balance them out. This project would never be as good as it is if we didn’t work together to make it perfect, each contributing our own strengths.
This lifewould never be as good as it is if we didn’t do the same with regard to our family.
A family who will support and protect you as Grey did for Amelia.
I want her to experience that same support, to feel part of something, the support system I have, where her vulnerabilities are not liabilities but simply facets of her character, balanced by the strengths of those who care for her.
And I know we all care for her.
I glance at Misha, who twitches in his sleep, a faint smile flickering across his lips. His knack for instantly drawing peoplein is something to behold. It’s fascinating how fast he was able to ensnare her, to just throw out his net of friendliness and charm, talking her into spending time with us.
Amelia didn’t stand a chance.
He did the same with me. I remember walking down the college hallway, lost in my own world, when suddenly Misha clapped a hand on my shoulder, giving me that wide, easy grin. “Hey, I could use your help with something,” he said.
Just like that.
Back then, he didn’t realize it was actually me who neededhishelp more. He was looking for something he lost, but I found the friends I never had. Misha just has that way about him. He builds bridges where others can’t even see water.
And I’m forever grateful for that.
Grey had to leave in a hurry earlier—a notification about a fall from his grandfather’s smartwatch had come through, etching deep lines of worry across his face. I offered to go with him, but with a tight shake of his head, he was out the door.
I wish he would talk to us about all of this more.
