My heart felt as if it was about to explode as I looked at Drew, knowing that she had to be feeling a hundred times worse than me right now. Someone sick had abused her physically, sexually, and emotionally and she had revealed it to me all but a few minutes ago. I tried to comprehend the situation so I could help her but the only thing I could muster up was more questions.

I whispered, "Who knows this besides me...?"

She shook her head, "Just you and Demarcus."

Moments before her episode had happened passion had surrounded us in this room. Everything had suddenly taken a turn for the worst when I took it too far and that passion was now replaced by pain and confusion. I was afraid of this situation because I didn't know how to handle it. If Drew had been sexually abused, how was I supposed to handle something like that? I mean this was a problem that I shouldn't have to deal with, not at twenty-one and in my prime...

But even though I shouldn't have to deal with it I wanted to. I wanted to be there for Drew, I wanted to show her that I wasn't going to hurt her, and I wanted to help her fix whatever the hell was broken.

I took both of her hands in mine, basically speaking out of instinct now. I shook my head, "Drew, I meant what I said, I'm not going anywhere unless you ask me to. If you want to talk about it, we can, if you don't that's fine too. We can go downstairs and watch a movie or we can go to sleep... This doesn't change how I look at you, and it doesn't change how I feel. "

After all of those words fell out of my mouth I realized I had meant every single one of them, and I hadn't just said them to make her feel better. It was honest, and I watched as the darkness clouding her eyes begin to fade away. Her hands gently grasped mine, as if she was holding on to me to make sure I didn't go anywhere until she was okay.

But I wasn't planning on going anywhere, period.

She seemed to become speechless, as if she didn't know what to say. I was glad that I had reassured her everything would be fine but for now we were walking a very thin line.

She shook her head, "Please do not think I don't want you... because that's most definitely not true..."

I smiled to myself, already knowing that but understanding she wanted to alleviate some guilt that rested on her shoulders. I nodded, "I won't initiate anything unless you do, I promise."

I felt good about how I had handled the situation, knowing I had succeeded in keeping her calm since she seemed to be more level-headed now. I didn't quite understand what exactly had set her off but the more I thought about it the more I analyzed what could've went wrong. I figured now wasn't the time to be thinking about certain things, so I pushed it to the back of my mind.

She looked at me, "If I asked you to stay the night... would you?"

The innocence she radiated was so contradictory compared to what she had just laid out on the table. I knew it was going to take a lot for her to get into details over what happened between her and this Evan boy that had hurt her but I was willing to be patient. I cared about Drew on a level I knew was different, and I was willing to wait for her to feel comfortable to make further steps in whatever relationship we had.

I answered, "Yea."

A tiny smile played on her soft lips, and suddenly I wondered if it would take a lot more work for me to be able to kiss her again. Being patient wasn't something I was used to, especially living here, but of all people in New York Drew needed it the most. She was going through something, and it was something that was going to require a lot of patience on my part. I knew that it wasn't going to be easy but being with her in this moment I realized I didn't care. I just wanted her to know I wasn't going anywhere and that I believed she was worth the effort.

She was worth the time to me, and she was worth the pain and the heartache, and I was going to show her that.

I tried to lighten up the mood, "Bad news is I didn't bring any night clothes."

She seemed to relax a little as she stood and walked over to her dresser, "Well you borrowed my helmet, I don't see why you can't borrow clothes." She pulled out a white T-shirt and asked, "Shorts or sweats?"

I took the offered T-shirt and answered, "Shorts."

When she pulled out a pair of shorts her eyes took me in and something was different but I already knew what it was. It was something I hadn't understood before but now I did, and it was something that had always been hidden. The sadness was obvious, laced within her green-blue irises that flicked back and forth between my own.

I lost my train of thought then, mumbling something unintelligent as I tried to pull away from her gaze, "Should I take the couch or...?"

She smirked this time, playfulness written in her expression. Honestly the request sounded so middle-school and I understood that after the comment had already left my mouth. She teased, "I think we're old enough to share a bed, unless you don't want..."

I laughed, "No, yea... I don't mind sharing..." and then I embarrassingly escaped to her bathroom. As I began to change I realized that I was actually about to spend the night with Drew, who had almost had a mental break down just minutes ago. I was confused but I knew leaving wasn't right, and even though staying probably wasn't right either there was nowhere else for me to go.

And leaving Drew seemed to be the last thing I wanted.

I slipped off my day clothes and changed into something comfortable, leaving my bra off as well. I knew I had agreed not to initiate any contact but that didn't mean I wasn't going to try and get Drew comfortable with doing so. I knew she was attracted to me, that was blatantly obvious, she just had trouble opening up to the idea of being touched.

But if she wanted to touch me I wasn't going to stop her.

I walked out dressed in Drew's over-sized T-shirt and shorts just in time to see her walking up the stairs with my night bag. She smiled, "Figured you'd want this."

I took it and shoved my clothes in, taking in Drew who seemed to be okay now. I was confused and worried but I knew pressuring her further at the moment wasn't a good approach.

Watching her walk around her bed to the other side I allowed my eyes to take her in, loving the way her loose sweatpants hung around her hips. Drew had a magnificent body, muscle definition in all the right places but yet she still remained feminine. She moved over her bed gracefully, her movements mesmerizing me as her soft eyes took me in.

I joined her, crawling onto the bed and sitting cross-legged across from Drew. I could tell she was having trouble keeping her eyes connected with mine but I took it as a good sign. She was attracted to me but she knew she wouldn't be able to handle initiating anything, we had seen that a few minutes ago.

Then suddenly I remembered last night when I had caught her dancing, It had been beautiful and I had been and completely fascinated but hadn't been able to talk to her about it. I asked quietly, "When did you start dancing?"

She smiled at my question, and I could tell it really brought back memories. They seemed to be happy ones, which was good, and I was hoping that I could steer clear of setting her off again.

"I think seven or eight? My mom had wanted to put me into it gymnastics but apparently all I wanted to do was dance. All the time."

I smiled, picturing a tiny Drew with long blonde ringlets in a pink leotard and tiny ballet slippers. I asked away, curiosity overtaking me, "Why'd you stop?"

Her eyes fell from mine then, and for some reason I regretted asking her. I didn't understand why she looked sad at the mentioning but I tried to hold my ground. She shook her head, "Well uh, my mom was diagnosed with cancer a few months after I turned seventeen so I quit during my senior year."

I felt the heaviness in the room, realizing that the bad news just continued to spill out of her mouth. How damaged was Drew? I was afraid to ask her anything further because if any more sadness was revealed I was convinced I would need help. I mean how had Drew dealt with all of this?

I shook my head, "I'm sorry..."

She shrugged, "You didn't know... but that's why. I never really stopped dancing but that's when I quit my formal training."

I decided on steering clear on the mom subject, too afraid to know anything more. I complimented her instead, "Well, from what I saw last night you haven't lost it."

She leaned back, her head resting on her pillow as she gazed up at me, "It used to be my escape to, it still kind of is... but the time for it never really surfaces."

The desire I had in the pit of my stomach was burning me alive as I watched Drew, almost hypnotized by her. She was painfully beautiful and broken, and I wanted to kiss her so bad it hurt, but crossing the boundaries was something I was trying not to do.

I smirked, teasing, "And here I thought you were just some hot blonde that likes to beat on people."

A smile played on her pink lips, and I could tell she enjoyed the playfulness in my voice. Within the month I had known Drew I felt like I had known her for years. Of course I didn't know much about her but the comfort was there. It was easy talking and joking with her, but it wasn't easy when I had to tip-toe around certain subjects. She was most definitely a challenge and I was willingly accepting it, because I felt something special when I was with her.

That was all I knew.

"You obviously didn't know what you were getting yourself into."

She was most definitely wrong, because even before I had technically met her I had seen her that night at the ring. She didn't know that, but maybe mentioning it to her would change her mind.

I shrugged, "I kind of did. I actually met you the fight before you and Jada..."

Her eyes locked on me, and I could tell she hadn't known that. She turned on her side and asked, "As in you were there?"

I nodded, "Yea, I was."

She seemed shocked but continued to keep her cool. There was no use freaking out over it, I mean it is what it is. She shook her head, "So you knew what I was doing and you still wanted to get involved?"

I smiled, wondering why she was so shocked, "Drew, I didn't plan on meeting you at the gym. I didn't plan on finding you interesting, and I didn't plan on you being so..." I let the sentence fall, not sure if it was the right time to say certain things. I mean I hadn't planned on her being extremely attractive either, but here she was, looking all irresistible and shit.

She seemed to know what I was thinking as she smirked, "Didn't plan on me being so... what?"

I felt the redness in my cheeks, knowing she was teasing me considering she knew she was attractive. I rolled my eyes, trying to blow it off, "Nothing."

She leaned forward, "But I need to know."

"No you don't."

Sitting up she faced me, my heart stopping right in my chest. I swore she had been going to kiss me but had held back instead, but that just could be me getting ahead of myself. I could feel the tension between us again, and the same strangling desire to close the gap suffocated me. This would've been so much easier to deal with if she wasn't so closed off, if she didn't have her problems...

But she did, and that was holding her back.

She spoke softly, "Do you feel that?"

I barely whispered a response because I was actually short of breath, my eyes locked on her lips, "What?"

"It's always between us, that pull," she answered, but she wasn't finished, "And when I get close to you... it's like we're two opposite magnets. It's scary and amazing at the same time."

I smiled at her explanation, already understanding what she was feeling considering I had felt it the day we had met at the gym. I was still eyeing her lips, now aware that my teeth were biting down on my bottom lip. I wasn't in control of my body whenever we were like this, it was like something just completely possessed me.

I could tell she wanted me, hopefully as much as I wanted her but I could tell it was driving her crazy too. On one hand she was extremely attracted to me, her desire burning her alive like it was currently doing to me. Then on another hand she was afraid, afraid of the memories that resurfaced when we took it too far. She saw him when she closed her eyes, she felt the pain and the fear deep in her stomach.

She was torn and it was eating her alive.

Someone had stripped away the control she had back when she was a teenager and it had scarred her. She had been forced into being submissive to all sorts of evil that I was still in the dark about. But we had kissed before and she hadn't reacted so badly, so what had gone wrong this time? Was it control she wanted? Was it because she had felt as if she hadn't had it whenever I had taken charge?

Then I suddenly understood that all Drew wanted was control, and as long as she had it she wouldn't freak out.

The realization made sense, and I could tell she understood that but wasn't sure how to tell me.

She whispered, "Why didn't you leave whenever I freaked out?"

Why hadn't I left? I had every reason to run like hell away from her but I had stayed. I had wanted to stay with her, which was odd in its own sense. Leaving had just felt like the wrong thing to do, and in that moment I had been going off of my gut feelings.

I shrugged, looking at her, "Because I didn't want to."

I could see something in her eyes that let me know that response had meant something to her. It was honestly a weak response but something in my tone had reassured her. A tiny smile played on her lips as she shook her head, "I'm a lot to handle, Bree."

If she was trying to convince me to stay away from her she was going to have a rude awakening. Was she trying to scare me away? Why would she do that? I didn't understand, but I knew myself and I knew deep down I wouldn't budge. I wasn't going anywhere unless she specifically told me to leave, and I had a feeling she wasn't going to.

"I'm not scared of you, Drew."

"I know," she looked down at her hands and shook her head, "You should be, but I know you're not."

Maybe everyone else was scared of her but I wasn't. She was implying that I should just stay away, and I should, but I literally couldn't. She knew where I stood on this subject and she understood I was stubborn. I could stand my ground against the best of them, even her, and she was going to see that if she decided she wanted to keep seeing me.

I knew she was damaged but who wasn't? Just because she had a rough spot in her childhood didn't mean she deserved to be shunned for it. It was something shitty that happened to a good person, and sadly things like this happened all the time. I wasn't running away, I was going to be there for her and I was willing to be patient.

She flicked off the main lights and kept the tiny ones hanging from her ceiling on, giving her room a glow that slowly settled my nerves.

She whispered, "Do you have anything to do tomorrow?"

I responded, moving closer to her, "Nope, just rehearsal at six."

The glow gave her a look that just made me want to kiss her us but I was exhausted, and I hadn't noticed that until now. I knew she must've been too so I decided to let myself rest with Drew close to me. Nothing felt weird about this situation, and everything felt natural, even simply lying next to her felt right.

But even when I was exhausted I didn't want to go to sleep yet, so I continued to ask her questions since I seemed to be filled with them. "You have a tattoo."

It was really more of a statement, but I was trying my best not to fall asleep on her.

She responded softly, "Yea I do."

I answered willingly, "The first night I saw you I noticed... Tell me about it."

I felt her shift closer, I could feel her body heat against my skin under the covers. I heard her mumble a tired response, "It says 'Your heart will fight as long as your mind allows it to', my mom used to tell me that all the time. After she passed away I got it as soon as I turned eighteen."

So her mom had passed away...

I reached out for her, coming into contact with soft skin and running my hand over her neck. I apologized, "I'm sorry..."

She shook her head with a tiny smile on her lips, "She passed over five years ago... and you don't have to be sorry. I find it comforting opening up to you."

I smiled but it was a sad smile and I knew that. Drew had been through a lot, more than the normal twenty-three year old, and coming to terms with that was hard. She was either really strong or really good at hiding how broken she was, and I wasn't sure which one it could possibly be. For all I knew it could be a combination of both, but figuring it out would be a challenge.

A challenge I could hopefully overcome while keeping hold on my own sanity.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I felt an unfamiliar warmth surround me as my eyes forced themselves open, attempting to take in the scene around me. I realized I was in Drew's room, and currently was lying between her chest and arm. How had I ended up here? If I tried to move would she wake up? Did I even want to move?

I decided against waking her up as I continued to lie in her arms, feeling a sense of security I hadn't felt in a long time. Waking up to someone was always special, and looking at Drew I could feel my heart swell at the sight.

She was gorgeous.

Then I heard tiny patters climbing the stairs, and for a split second I almost freaked out but then realized it was just Milo. He jumped onto Drew's bed, walking right over her without any consideration of her being asleep. I felt Drew stir, obviously being awoken by Milo who seemed to be well rested.

She groaned, "You can't just let me sleep in once, Milo."

I moved out of Drew's arms, missing the warmth as I watched her eyes open and take in the scene. Milo had kicked me right out of my position and was now lying on Drew's stomach, his tail wagging softly across her comforter.

Drew's sleepy eyes caught me staring at her, but she didn't seem to mind. I figured out that I actually enjoyed watching her. I loved the way she moved and how amazing her bed head looked on her.

She smiled lightly, "Good morning."

I couldn't help but return the gesture, "Morning."

She sat up, scratching Milo in the process as she looked over to me, "I always bring him walk in the park after my morning coffee on Saturdays if you want to come?"

I nodded, "I'd love to."

She looked at me, as if she didn't believe that I actually wanted to spend more time with her. Did she not believe that I actually wanted to but was instead agreeing out of the kindness of not wanting to tell her no?

"I like being with you," I responded, wishing she would believe me, "And I have nothing else to do so..."

A tiny smirk played on her lips as she nodded, "Do you like coffee?"

I laughed, "Is that a serious question?"

She got up, pulling me out of bed with her as we went downstairs and she proceeded to brew a pot for us. Watching her move around the kitchen fascinated me, just like everything else about Drew. Why was she so fascinating to me? Why couldn't I tear my eyes away from her? None of this made sense but trying to make it make sense only confused me further.

Just enjoy it, Breanna. Stop overthinking everything...

She looked at me, "I can make you some breakfast? Or I can try to anyway..."

I laughed as I got up from her tiny island, joining her in the kitchen as she pulled out a few eggs and a pack of raw bacon. I actually enjoyed cooking, and I was pretty good at it, but finding the time to actually prepare a meal rarely came.

She placed a skillet on the stove and began heating it up, and then she pulled out her phone. Putting on a Spotify playlist I listened to a good melody fill the room. The beat made you want to dance, which I figured she had done on purpose as she looked at me.

I asked, "Bruno Mars?"

She smirked slightly, moving towards me as she shrugged, "Doesn't he make you want to dance though?"

I listened to the familiar song of Treasure ring through my ears as I nodded, "Of course it does."

She bounced to the beat as she moved around the kitchen, eventually throwing a few eggs onto the skillet. Even at 9:30 in the morning she was still managing to wow me. She pulled out another skillet and asked, "Want to cook the bacon?"

I nodded, standing next to her as I felt her bouncing to the music next to me. I heated up the skillet, finding myself wanting to dance along with her. If waking up with Drew was like this every morning I wanted this every possible time I could have it.

"How do you want your eggs?"

I responded while bouncing along to the beat next to her, "Scrambled."

She smiled at me, taking notice to how I was waking up and finally moving along to the music with her. She bumped me lightly while I threw a few pieces of bacon onto the skillet, forcing my smile to spread even wider.

I teased, "How do you want your bacon?"

She smiled, laughing as she nodded over to the sizzling pan, "Cooked, well."

It didn't take us long to finish cooking as I platted our food while Drew poured the coffee. Everything about this situation felt so natural and free, and I loved every single second of it. I set the plates down as she pushed a cup of coffee near me, allowing me to mix in cream and sugar.

I began eating as she discreetly fed Milo a tiny piece of bacon under the table. I asked, "So what are you doing today?"

She shrugged, "Well after we go walk Milo I have no idea. I'll probably go workout whenever you leave though."

I nodded, honestly wishing I could spend the entire day with Drew but I needed to rehearse. There was only one week that stood between us and the Halloween recital, and preparations were necessary.

Which instantly reminded me that I would need to buy tickets come Monday.

I asked, "Would you still like a ticket for the recital Saturday?"

I watched her glowing eyes take me in, "I would."

I blushed under her gaze, already knowing that my face was giving away all of my secrets. Drew had an effect on me I wasn't sure how to explain but everything she did set me on fire. I continued to eat and it wasn't long till Milo was nearly jumping on Drew with impatience.

We got dressed quickly, knowing it would be cool outside and that dressing for comfort was necessary. I was excited to spend a little more time with her and it looked absolutely beautiful outside.

Drew snapped the leash onto Milo's collar as she grabbed her keys, allowing me to follow her out of her apartment. Making our way onto the street I heard the familiar car horns and bustling of people on the street, hoping once we made it to Central Park it would be a bit quieter.

I questioned, "How far is Central Park from your apartment?"

She glanced at me, shrugging, "Maybe a few blocks, not far at all."

I walked alongside Drew, feeling the sense of security I seemed to be growing accustomed to. Although there was an undeniable tension between us there was also a lot more underneath the surface. We were comfortable and open, and I hadn't felt that in so long I had started to think those feelings had died.

But meeting Drew had resurrected a lot of emotions I thought were no more.

Just like Drew had said, it didn't take us long to make it to the park and start walking along one of the paths. I had been to Central Park plenty of times considering this seemed to be the only place that held any kind of greenery in New York City. It was like you were getting away from the city but really you were just smack dab in the middle.

It made me miss my hometown.

I had been raised in the outskirt suburbs of Philadelphia, where not much happened besides high school football games and local concerts. Obviously dancing had been my thing, and the dance studio was where I had spent most of my time anyway. Being here in New York City was a lot different, and even though I had lived here for nearly four years I've never quite gotten used to it.

I loved the city but it wasn't where I belonged, and I knew that.

Then I heard Drew's soft voice, "You're quiet."

I looked up at her, noticing that she actually looked a bit worried. She had no reason to be, but it was cute to see that she cared. I shook my head, "Just thinking about going back home."

She narrowed her eyes in confusion, "Do you want to head back? I can give you a ride...?"

I laughed, knowing she had misinterpreted my answer, "No I meant my hometown. I was just praying that the next seven months flew by."

She seemed relieved that I wasn't talking about ditching her already as she nodded, "Yea, I understand."

I studied her, wondering if she ever got homesick over Boston. I knew her mom had passed but didn't she have other family? A dad? Siblings? Grandparents? The pity I felt for her in the pit of my stomach ached, but I knew the last thing Drew wanted was pity. She just didn't seem like that type of girl.

"Do you ever think about going back?"

She played with the leash in her hand that held Milo close, but she shook her head, "Not really. There's nothing there besides my mom's grave. There wasn't much there for me when I left in the first place."

 There was sadness in her voice, something that I absolutely hated hearing because unfortunately enough Drew's mood affected me. I asked curiously, "When's the last time you've been to her grave?"

She continued to look forward as she thought about her most recent memory. Shrugging, she answered, "Maybe a few years ago? I'm not even sure. Is that sad?"

I shook my head, "No. She knows you're thinking about her."

This got a tiny smile to play on her lips, letting me know I had made her feel at least a little better. She nodded, "I think so too."

"Maybe we can take a trip soon? I've never been to Boston."

My question stirred something in Drew, and it looked like it had both pros and cons. I knew she wanted to see her mom's grave, but her hometown most likely held the boy that had messed her up. It held bad memories and feelings that she hadn't quite repaired from, so going back probably excited her but equally terrified her.

But instead she nodded, putting another smile on her lips, "Maybe so."

I smiled at her considering my idea, realizing Drew was most likely one of the bravest people I had ever met.

We walked a bit more, seeing a few other people doing the same. Some were on bikes, and others were lying in the grass and enjoying the sun that was barely peeking out from behind the clouds. Today was relaxed and carefree, and I found myself not wanting to deal with dancing today. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but being with Drew was equally as satisfying.

"Remember when you caught me dancing Thursday night?"

I looked over at her, nodding with a big smile on my face, "How could I not?"

I watched her blush, most likely remembering our heated kiss we had also exchanged. She nodded, holding that amazing smile on her face, "Right... well, I just wanted to know why you decided to stay."

I didn't blame her for being curious, mostly because I was curious myself. I hadn't been compelled to leave, and when I had noticed it was her dancing I had gotten lost in her moment. Her movements had hypnotized me, and leaving had seemed impossible.

I joked, "Because you're really hot when you dance."

She gave me a funny face as she laughed lightly, "Thanks."

I decided to try to give her an answer, which would take a bit of work because I hadn't really thought about it. I continued, "I don't know... I mean I was mad and upset over the whole fighting thing but when I saw you dance... I don't know, you were a different person. I didn't like the Drew I had seen in the ring with my sister, but when saw you dance Thursday... you weren't the same girl."

I knew I probably sounded crazy, and I silently hoped I wouldn't offend her considering I had basically told her she had a split personality disorder. I looked up at her, trying to read her expression and prepare myself for her reaction.

She nodded, "You're right... about the whole 'not the same girl' thing."

I was grateful she hadn't misinterpreted my answer but knowing she aware about the way her entire demeanor changed was weird. I wanted to know so much but I didn't have the questions to ask. I didn't want to say the wrong thing, and I didn't want to pry, but it was so hard holding back with her.

But I didn't have to ask because she continued, "I can't explain it, but it's the reason I started to actually win. I would tune everything out, the crowd, the noise, everything, and I would imagine it was Evan I was fighting. After so long of picturing him eventually it became natural, and I won. Every time."

Hearing her talk about this worried me because I could tell she meant exactly what she said. It made sense, how easy it was for her to destroy whoever she was fighting, scary almost. She had no sympathy, no remorse for whoever she fought, and it was all because in her head she was thinking about Evan.

I didn't want to ask her what had happened all those years ago, it felt too sensitive, but I wanted to understand. If there was anything I could tell you about myself it was my need to understand things and why they were the way they were. It was almost this need I had, and it drove me crazy until I fully understood.

I retorted, "I just wish you would have a healthier outlet."

She allowed her light eyes to fall upon me, causing my heart to skip a beat or two. She nodded, knowing and understanding exactly what I was talking about, "I know."

We continued walking, the time passing quickly as I checked my phone. It wasn't time to go yet but we had been walking for a while, and I knew we would have to part soon. I didn't want to but I also didn't want to smother Drew. I knew someone like her needed her space, and if I didn't give it to her I was just going to push her away even more.

Then her phone rang out as she pulled it out of her back pocket, answering, "Hello?"

I studied her silently as she listened to the other person on the line. Her eyes were magnificent, like the Gulf Ocean. The pretty sea blue-green hue permanently etching it's image into my mind. Her hair was pulled back in a pony-tail so I had full view of her face, which was smooth and looked so soft.

God I just wanted to touch her...

Then she answered half-heartedly, "Yea sure, I can do that... Yea, Bye."

She hung up and looked at me, allowing me to question, "Your side chick?"

She rolled her eyes, laughing at my joke, "As if... no it was work."

I shook my head, "I thought you were off?"

"I was," she answered, "But Jim's stuck out of town and they need a fill in for tonight."

I felt something in my heart quiver in excitement, knowing I would be able to see her tonight before and after practice. I nodded, "You're gonna get sick of seeing me."

"I doubt it."

Her eyes took me in, a smile plastered on her lips. I shook my head, my own smile spreading like a wildfire under her gaze. She was so innocently cute it was painful, and I wondered how someone so damaged could be so beautiful inside and out.

But questioning it was unnecessary, so I decided to soak up the positivity and look forward to practice tonight.