As I watched her from across the room, my heart pounded erratically in my chest. She was standing there, amidst the crowd, effortlessly captivating everyone with her presence. It was frustrating how effortlessly she could disarm me with just a glance, stirring emotions I struggled to contain. She made me want to be better, to shed the layers of pretense I'd cloaked myself in for so long. But instead, I found myself retreating to familiar ground, hiding my growing feelings behind sharp retorts and sarcastic remarks.

"You never quit, do you?" I scoffed as she approached, my tone laced with irritation. "Always poking and prodding, like you have all the answers."

I put up walls because it’s easier than letting people in and risking getting hurt. But with her, I wanted to let them down.

"You don't belong in a place like this. And we both know it." The words tasted bitter on my tongue. But it was the only way I knew to keep my burning angst at bay.