sixteenpercent

“Don't think about answering it,” he tells you slowly. He deliberately stretches the words out, making you feel 4 instead of 40. It's not helping, and you tense. You're always tense. His arms give you a light, encouraging squeeze, and you try to relax once more. You know it's okay to let your guard down. Your heart keeps ignoring the comfort his embrace offers you though, screaming at you with all its might. RUN! Run before it's too late to get away. You tip your head up to glance at his face. Your breath nearly catches once more in the back of your throat when you see the emotions, the uncertainty written all over him. He wa

It's never over. There's a shadow right behind your front door, and for a second, you freeze. Then, when realization crawls upon you, you chide yourself for being scared of the post man. But it's another sign, one you can't ignore. Not this time. People around you whisper, sneak suspicious glances at you when they think you're busy pretending to be in charge. You know what they talk about.. how they talk about it. It's hard not to notice. The stares are getting to you, and you feel the distance between your heart and your mind increase with each passing moment. You keep it together, though. Tell yourself how much they worship you and your a