This Is Us

"Y'know," Mason says, glancing at me before a particularly long breath. "Shes not alone because nobody loves her. She's alone because she did it to herself."

My body tenses as he brings up the subject. The noises of the park fade into the background as my feet go thump, thump, thump with each step I take. I speed up a little.

"Maybe she doesn't need anyone else," I say, defending the fictional character we're arguing about. I continue jogging along the nature trail.

"Or maybe she just thinks that but subconsciously knows she does," Mason challenges. "Maybe she's afraid of someone caring for her."

But that can't be true. All she wants is for someone to care.

I feel a single bead of sweat drip down between my shoulder blades.

Thump, thump, thump.

I exhale deeply and blow a strand of dark hair from my face. As my breaths begin to come faster, I stop.

Finding a nearby tree to lean against, I savor the shade. My slight reprieve doesn't last long as Mason joins me.

"It's going to be okay," I say.

Beautiful cover by @hixtapehoe