There's Still Time, We're Still Young

Those heart-wrenching cries of despair drift away in wisps of smoke, carried off by the howling warm air from the AC, night after sleepless night, or in the small hours after a dream jolts me awake.

Leaning against the headboard, with the flicker of a lighter beside me, I zone out to the music behind the dim glow of my phone screen, remembering the years when sincere love was so easily betrayed. It feels as if I did something wrong, and yet did nothing wrong at all. I keep wavering between self-doubt and self-assurance. Even if I were completely heartless, if someone slapped your left cheek, I still couldn't turn my own right cheek toward them.

Whether in my career or in love, I've taken ninety-nine steps. I'll save the last one for my self-respect. In an age when everyone piles on once the walls come tumbling down, we have to look out for ourselves.

Sincerity never wins anyone's heart. Only tricks do.