"What do you say, Bees?" Claude asked.

I wanted to tell him the truth. Because, sure, he knew I was terrified of loving him. But everyone who had ever lived was afraid of falling in love– there's a reason the fear of heights is so common. No, I was scared because I couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

When my parents died, I felt the space in my heart they occupied slowly empty. It was like they were snow angels floating between my arteries and they melted away. And now, an empty space lingers in the area they used to call home ... and I don't think I have any more room for just space. I was petrified of having space.

"Claude ..."