LOGIN“The trees keep growing, regardless of the season, and you should too.”….~ Alyssa ~“I’ve always been okay with hand-me-downs when I was a young orphaned girl. It has always been a privilege to receive those priceless gifts from kind citizens. So even though the clothes don’t match the ones I see on other kids at school. I was okay with it.” I smiled when Ashley covered my palms on the table with hers and gave them a gentle squeeze.She was so understanding, and the fact that we were bonding so quickly made my insecurity rise to the surface, because what if this all is a facade to lure me in? What if I get hurt again in the name of friendship and second chances? What if history repeats itself yet again? I know I wasn’t alone this time, and I had Peter to pick me up if I fell… but then. What if I become too broken to pitch in together?“But I had high expectations for who I’d end up with…”“So you don’t share?” “I don’t.” This was one of the reasons I hadn’t said yes to the popular
“I hope you always remember that you are not a mistake.”….~ Alyssa ~“I wonder what happens to fishes when the river freezes.” Ashley said, as we had lunch at a seaside restaurant. While I was dressed in a spaghetti-strapped yellow jumpsuit, she was wearing a crop top and wide floral pants, which made her look younger yet super sexy. “They delve deeper into the sea, where it is less cold, and hibernates until the sea unfreezes.” I replied, silently grateful for Keren, who had asked me this question after seeing a frozen river in one of her favorite cartoons. As a result, I have had to do my research to answer her question.“Do you think all of them get to survive?”“Obviously not. Some are choked up by the inadequate oxygen and die off… giving the others a slim chance at survival.”“And the ones who survive end up in our dishes.” I watched her silently as she took a long drag on her milkshake. I can’t help but wonder where her question came from. I’d been surprised when she’d ask
“Every sunrise is an opportunity for growth and advancement.”….~ Austin ~I stood in front of the opera house, torn between stepping in and facing a version of myself that had been cut off the second my life hit a roadblock two years ago.Music has always been everything to me, and playing the piano and humming along with it have always been a personal therapy for me.I wasn’t one of those who believed a single person could be at the center of your universe. Though it had sometimes felt like Joanna was mine, she wasn’t. So many other factors had made me into who I am… and I wasn’t petty enough to credit it to just one person, who sadly was no more.My legs betrayed me, as I found myself walking into the opera house step after step.It was as grand as I expected, but that wasn’t what caught my attention; rather, it was the french song, “maison.” about a loss of home and identity that got me.Though I hadn’t studied French in college, I’d taken a few online courses and managed to lea
“Time doesn’t stop moving. So try your best to flow with its rhythm and embrace the change it brings with it.”….~ Alyssa ~I have always wondered how it would be to wake up in a man’s arms. Not just any man, but my husband. This was one of the reasons why I had set boundaries in my relationship with Mark. Though it had seemed almost normal and expected to move in with him after a full year of dating. I had decided against it and instead focused on my self, my academics, and my passions. I was grateful I did. I lifted up my gaze to stare at Austin, who still had his eyes closed and was sleeping so soundly. I was lying partly on his sturdy chest, which made me feel saved and loved. Though I doubted that had been his intention when he’d picked me up.Austin had always been reserved around me, so the silent intimacy growing between us was worth getting used to.“Stared enough?” I stared up instinctively, and our gaze met. He had a mischievous smile hanging on his lips. Meaning, he’d m
“I hope you remember that you are beautiful, even on days when you doubt that you are.”….~ Austin ~The last few hours had been different. Maybe not just the past few hours, but rather days. Ever since I had almost lost Alyssa to Callum again… I had become more conscious and sensitive.The mere thought of losing Alyssa to anyone now makes me want to lose my cool. I’ve never felt so possessive as I have been feeling lately, and I had no way to tell if it was a good sign. Alyssa is my wife, yeah… but our marriage was meant to just be in name only. But nowadays, the desire to get to know her had become greater than my fear.I’d promised that I would never love again after Joanna… But here I was doing just that, the very thing I’d told myself I wouldn’t do. Alyssa is different, so very different from the ladies I am used to. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed her distinctiveness during the early days when she was simply being Keren’s nanny.Unlike others, she didn’t desire attent
“We don’t always get to choose who our heart beats for. But we can always choose where we direct our energy and focus.”….~ Alyssa ~I never assumed that the day would come when I would be heading to the beach for a picnic with both Keren and Austin. Though it wasn’t my first time going to the beach with a possible significant other, as Mark and I had been on multiple beach dates during the duration of our relationship. But it felt different this time, with Austin and all. I searched through my suitcase, trying to find maybe a three-piece suit. But didn’t. Though Austin and I had grown so close in the past few days, it still felt weird walking around in a bikini in front of him. Though we weren’t alone and others would be there, it didn’t solve my discomfort.I was finally able to walk towards the side of the beach where Austin was seated in a white t-shirt and blue shorts. He sent a warm smile my way as I slowly approached him. “You look good.” I heard him say as I took my s







