Out of the millions and millions of people that inhabit this planet, he is one of the tiny few I can never have.

Willa’s big blue eyes, Willa’s dimpled-cheeked smile. Tiffin’s shaggy blond mane, Tiffin’s cheeky grin. Kit’s yells of excitement, Kit’s glow of pride. Maya’s face, Maya’s kisses, Maya’s love. Maya, Maya, Maya . . .

At what point do you give up - decide enough is enough? There is only one answer really. Never.

...and my loneliness, always my loneliness - that airless bubble of despair that is slowing stifling me.

Pressed up against him, I can feel the thud of his heart against mine, his ribcase expanding and contracting rapidly against my chest, the warm whisper of his breath tickling the side of my neck, the brush of his leg against my thigh. Resting my arms on his shoulders, I pull back a little to get a look at his face. But he isn't smiling any more.

Before there was anything, there was Lochan.

The words fire from my mouth like bullets, ricocheting off the walls before I can even register what I'm saying.