REED
By the time the laughter faded from my chest, I was unsure whether it had been laughter at all. I stood leaning against the wall outside her dorm, my head tilted back against the bricks, breathing shallow. The laugh felt empty, as if it came from a place of disbelief rather than humor.
I slowly straightened, rubbing my face with both hands and muttering to myself, "What the hell am I doing?" This wasn’t me. I didn’t chase girls down. I didn’t stand outside their doors like some lovesick i***t after they ignored my calls and ducked behind blinds like I was a threat. I wasn’t that guy and I have never been.
I shook my head, trying to laugh again, but this time it didn’t even make it past my lips. I was ready to change for her—carve out a version of myself just for her, and that was i
