Word count

Before you fall

He looked her in the eyes, and a bittersweet smile painted his lips. He was far too damaged to love her, but he knew she was the type of girl he could fall for. It took everything in him to say the words he believed would save them both from heartbreak.
"You told me I'm someone you could end up falling for. Since you haven't fallen for me yet, I think it's best I let go now. I appreciate how you listened and didn't judge and also how you stayed at my side, but I think it's time for me to go." His voice held firm, but if you listened carefully, you could hear the tremor of the small earthquake within his mind.

She knew that love wasn't something he wanted or needed right now, but she had been foolish to think he'd let her love him when the time came. She knew that he didn't need a relationship. He needed something else. She couldn't help but wonder did he know this in the entire time that he couldn't or wouldn't love her. She swallowed the sobs that racked her body, and the held back the salty ocean that tried to escape her tear ducts. She closed her eyes before she was strong enough to speak.
"I won't make you stay or try to prove we could work because, honestly, I've learned love can not be one-sided. I've learned that love is a tricky thing, but it is one of the most sincere sentiments. I haven't fallen for you yet, and perhaps you are right; we wouldn't work, but its a pity that you don't think it's worth a try. I had fun despite the short time I knew you maybe one day we will meet again, and things will be different, but until then, I wish you only the best."

He remembers the girl that he almost loved and how he almost broke her heart. Looking back, he wonders, does she ever think about the boy who was too scared to love?

~j.g.s.b~
6/5/20