A rose between two thorns

I suppose it all started when I saw him late one afternoon while going into the library at school. It was a cold December afternoon when I was thirteen-just about to turn fourteen. He was there, standing with some other lads in my year. I turned my head in awe of him, and he smiled.

From that moment, I've never been able to stop loving him. William Bawdwyne. The one person who's always been kind, steady, and untouchable in my chaotic world.

But that world is a far cry from what it was back then. At sixteen, my heart was shattered, and my reputation destroyed by lies. The truth? I never told anyone. Not even William.

Now, years later, I'm back in his life, torn between the safe haven of his quiet farm and the darkness of my past. But William's life is simple. Predictable. I don't belong here. I can't risk telling him the full truth-not when it could destroy the only bond I have left.

But I can't pretend it's just friendship anymore.