"Can I Ask You a Question?"

"Can I ask you a question?" she said... looking curiously back at him, eyes shining.

"... Sure, shoot" as he ruffled his hair, suddenly slightly uncomfortable.

"Did you even love me?" she choked out.

He sat down, put his hands over his face and sighed.
Of course he did.
How could she even think to ask such a question?
She did. He did. They both did.
But they were young and dumb. Mistakes were made. Honesty was lost. Communication was forgotten.
So they fell. Hard and fast. Young and hopeful.
Stubborn as a mule, neither wanted to admit their faults.
Their love burned so bright... it lit up the sky.
They both knew how they felt deep down inside. Yet didn't want to be the first one to reach out and say...
But just as quickly and brightly as it burned, it fizzled out until it was nothing more than an ember.
For what were to happen if the response wasn't what they were hoping for?
& now... both were wondering... is it worth it to rekindle the flame?
What if, just what if, they were left vulnerable?
Who in their right mind would want to be that?
For in this world... only one person has your best interests at heart.
If you can't depend on yourself, who else could you depend on?

He stood up, smoothed his shirt and said "You know the answer to that."

She looked at him, eyes beginning to shine even brighter.

He gave her a weak smile and walked away.

A single tear was the beginning of the end.

x Kira