"You're the kind of person who just sits and watches people, aren't you?" he said. "Like a creepy type." I swallowed. "I'm not-" "Yes, you are" he interrupted. "That's exactly what you are." The blonde girl let out a low laugh and opened my bag wider.I didn't have time to stop her before she pulled out the little notebook hidden at the very bottom. The one I never showed anyone. "Wait..." The boy leaned in and laughed. "Is this a diary or something?" The blonde girl looked at me again, her eyes lighting up. "You're actually so weird." ------------------------------------------------------------ "Paper Hearts Don't Break Loudly" is a story about loneliness, healing and two people trying to find their place in a world that feels a little too heavy. Nyla lives mostly inside her own head, between sketchbooks, overthinking and silence. Often feeling like an observer in her own life. Wade juggles multiple jobs, boxing and the weight of caring for his sick mother, all while trying to keep his head above water. They lead completely different lives, but they find each other in one thing: the silence. This isn't love at first sight. It's sleepless nights. Split knuckles. Thoughts that never let them breathe right. Two broken people slowly starting to feel a little less alone in each other's presence. "Because some people save each other. Others only learn how to drown together" ______________ #1 firstfriend