Flashback: Yesterday Night We were standing on my balcony. Maya had just told me I wasn't bad-- that I was just lonely. She stepped into my space. She was so close that I could see the flecks of gold in her dark eyes, reflected by the moonlight. My heart started pumping so loud I was sure she could hear it. It was a frantic, irregular drumbeat that betrayed every single lie I’d ever told. I'm not certain whether I expected her to say something sharp, pull back and re-establish the barrier or if I expected her to grab my collar and smash her lips on mine. I would have loved option two, but she gave me a small, soft smile instead-- the kind of smile you give someone you’ve finally started to trust. And then, she hugged me. It was momentary, a brief press of her warmth against the co

