When We Collide

18 year old Matthew Woods is angry. His parents think sending him on a grief world trip will help him process his older brother's death, but to him, it's just another cruel joke. He doesn't need group circles, forced smiles, or strangers telling him it gets better. He just wants to be left alone. He's broken; a shadow of his former self.

17 year old Angelia Bennett isn't sure what she's looking for. She agreed to this trip with hesitation, carrying the weight of her sister's death behind a perfect mask. She laughs, she smiles, but underneath, she's drowning. She doesn't believe this trip will fix her, but a small part of her hopes it might help her breathe again.

When their worlds collide on the trip, Matthew and Angelia couldn't seem more different-he's closed off, bitter, and brimming with anger, while she's warm, yet distant, hiding her grief behind a well-practiced facade. But the more time they spend together, the more they begin to see through each other's walls.

Matthew doesn't believe in healing, but Angelia shows him how to breathe. Angelia doesn't think anyone can see her, but Matthew refuses to look away.

Grief isn't linear. But sometimes, the people we least expect are the ones who help us put ourselves back together.

~~~~~~~~

Story inspired by 'A Thousand Broken Kisses' by Tillie Cole. But all writing, characters and settings are mine!