Brave

'NO, I DON'T CARE!' She hisses under her breath like an angry goose.

The Small Voice Inside Her Head smiles slyly.

'You DO.'

She convinces herself- NoNoNoNoNo. It's a distraction- she knows, a trap; she isn't going to give in and make herself vulnerable.

She musters all her hatred when he is around. She snaps at him, seethes with dislike, fumes with anger. Her fists clench and jaw tightens. Instinctively.

Yet when their eyes meet for a brief moment- longer than a casual glance and milder than a hostile glare, the walls of makeshift hatred melt like icicles in the sun.

And many such times, she averts her eyes, just to remain brave.