I traded cowardice for cruelty; I traded weakness for ferocity.

It was him or me. I chose me. But I feel dead too.

We kiss again and this time, it feels familiar. I know exactly how we fit together, his arm around my waist, my hands on his chest, the pressure of his lips on mine. We have each other memorized.

Nothing else is all right.” His whisper tickles my cheek. “But we are.

I think you're still the only person sharp enough to sharpen someone like me.

Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.

I feel the monster of grief again, writhing in the empty space where my heart and stomach used to be. I gasp, pressing both palms to my chest. Now the monstrous thing has its claws around my throat, squeezing my airway. I twist and put my head between my knees, breathing until the strangled feeling leaves me.