about loneliness, abou

bun, shaking my head, trying to pu

And the kiss, I can't believe I kissed him, but that's something I'll easily forget. It was a mistake. Everything I thought I felt was a mistake

t-an embarrassing mistake embodying

g foot in New Orl

ce told me "book" was one of my first words. I was born to read, but it's a habit I've nurtured, one that's gr

and Cyp is still in Romania. I miss them

ng the design. I got this shelf a few years ago, drawn to the little butterfly carved on i

story surface. I put it aside, cleaning my entire Harry Potter and Percy Jackson collectio

stare around my large kitchen, ashamed of the mess but delighted at the size. This was the first thing I bought wit

ta, but the New Orleans girl in me refuses pasta when I'm this hungry. I'll go all the way out: gumbo a

n New Orleans. I love my pare

nostalgia is longing for the past. What do we call longing for the future? Hope? I'm terri

long here, in New York, with its insanit

ng, and when nobody waits for you at night, and when you can d

among lives and leave as fast as I arrived. I wanted to leave and never come back, never stay in one place for too long. I want

ecoming one of my favorites of all time. It feels amazing to see yourself in a

don't like yourself very much. You once watched Little Women and cried like a baby because you think your life sucks.

eturn my attention to the beautiful book in my hands. It's a beautifully written and c

aRue, a young woman who makes a Faustian bargain to live f

s both relatable and intriguing. The author weaves Addie's past and prese

e of time and place. The historical details are well-researched, adding depth and highligh

call Cyp. He picks up almost immediatel

staring at his beautifu

shifting behind the screen,

I smile, taking

gain. Leave me some,"

ut not there yet. I'm thinking of flying her to Los Angeles, but she can be dramatic, so

eet her too. How's your

ave tonight, so I have to stay a bit longer. I saw Ronan's baby girl for the firs

wait to start a

most an hour u

It's Zee." I sa

oe grins, loo

amazing.

of good living. You look

everyon

d. How was t

e. "It w

ened? Tell me." S

told Zoe or Cyp about where I co

fully. "I ran into an

ward?" S

confident. I hadn't seen him in o

y anything stupid?

ng something stupid is hilarious, he's

ercing eyes. "What are y

not telling you

tension. "Cyp wants to have kids.

"You lucky girl. Pi

n she goes back to the to

me back home. Of course, I said no, vehemently. How

." Zoe's vo

lly. How dare he? How dare all of them ask me to drop everything

saw him. I won't lie, he looked good. But then he opened his stupid mouth and commanded me to stay, stay in New Orleans, leave New York, leave my job, my apartment, leave my best friend and b

eath, feeling

is a double-edged knife. I hurt him, hurting myself in the process. Maybe once, I loved Luc. I'd have danced to my parents' tune. But not now. I'm d

is far. He's an asshole who never had faith or hope in you. But you survived, livi

s en