Novel & Cerita All We Need Is Someone To Lean On

“Why is it so difficult for you to accept help from others? Why do you find it hard to lean on me?” Reyona shrugged his hand off hers and folded her arms to her body as she asked “Lean on you? For what? I told you I could handle this. Would you rather I break down in tears and run to you so you could save me?” “That wouldn’t be such a bad idea, would it?” “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t need you or anyone to save me. Your oversized ego just will have to accept that.” “Just as I should accept that you wouldn’t let me love you?”

Sometimes, people find it difficult to rely on others because they are so used to doing things on their own and being independent that they forget the term "reliable" might refer to someone other than themselves. They go to great lengths to try to cure things on their own and end up hurting themselves. And the only thing they've ever needed to stop suffering was someone to talk to, lean on, and trust.

“If he’s willing to keep you close, let him. This place eats strays.” “I don’t—” The automatic protest rose: "I don’t need anyone." Years of making myself smaller, proving I wasn’t a burden. I bit it back. She gave me a faint, knowing look, like she’d heard the rest of that sentence even if I hadn’t said it. “Everyone needs someone,” she said. “If you don’t pick who stands beside you, the Game will.” Her eyes lingered on me for a heartbeat longer, and then she moved ahead, folding quietly back into the group.

“Sometimes people leave because of their own storms, not yours.” I sniffed shakily. “That sounds poetic, but it doesn’t help.” “Then let me help in the way I can.” He pulled back enough to see my face. His eyes were soft, but steady. “You still have a business to protect. People who depend on you. This place needs you standing, not collapsing.” “I don’t feel like I can stand right now.” “That’s okay.” His thumb brushed beneath my eye. “I’m here. Lean until you remember how.”

"But wouldn't it be nice to have someone else too? Someone who could help us?" I thought about Klaus, about the way he'd looked at me in that conference room, about the text exchange that had made me smile despite everything. I thought about six years ago, about stolen moments in library stacks and the way he'd made me feel alive in ways I'd almost forgotten were possible. And then I thought about the complications, the mess, the impossibility of it all. "Maybe someday," I said carefully. "But right now, I don't need someone to help us. I need to prove to myself—and to you—that I can do this on my own. That I'm strong enough to build us a good life without depending on anyone else."

She simply said casually, "You should go back first." Logan's expression immediately turned grim. He seemed to want to say something more, but he eventually turned around and left. Only Rachel and I remained. The atmosphere became incredibly solemn as neither of us spoke. After a long while, Rachel could not hold back any longer and took a deep breath. "I really don't understand why you're always picking on Logan. His parents died early, and he came back from studying outside alone. It hasn't been easy for him. We've been neighbors for years. Can't you help each other out?"

I feel like in all the people in the world I ever met, maybe this one might be good for me. She knows nothing about me, expects nothing from me, and yet she’s reaching out and offering me a lifeline without even knowing what I could give her in return. I didn’t know people could be like this. That there were humans in this world who were so selfless. That I could have someone to lean on again, after being the one who supported everyone all on my own.

Everything feels so sterile and artificial like we're in a different world altogether. "How are you holding up?" Nathan asks, breaking the silence. "I'm... okay," I say, though the truth is that I'm far from okay. I'm scared and anxious, and I feel like my whole world has been turned upside down. "It's okay to not be okay," Nathan says, his voice gentle. "This is a tough situation for all of us." I nod, grateful for his words. Indeed, I don't have to be strong all the time, and it's okay to lean on others when I need to. And right now, I need Nathan's support more than ever.

“I’m not that good.” Rye blushed in embarrassment. “It’s been a long hard road for yeh. It’s going to be rough for a while longer. But yeh don’t hafta shoulder the burden yerself anymore. There are others to help. To lean on.” Rye nodded. She looked away so that her tears wouldn’t be seen. For so long she had been on her own and now there were people everywhere wanting to help. People who really and truly want to help. And wanting nothing in return.

“You don’t have to have all the answers. Just take it one step at a time, and I’ll be right here with you. You’re not alone, Shania.” His words were like a balm to my wounded soul, soothing the ache inside. I had always prided myself on being independent, on being able to handle everything on my own. But standing here with him, feeling his warmth, his unwavering presence, I realized how much I had longed for someone to be there for me. To lean on. “You don’t get it,” I said, my voice cracking. “I don’t even know if I can trust myself anymore. How can I trust you when I don’t trust myself?”