Alex’s Point of View (with Melia interwoven)
“Melia.”
My voice sounds wrong. Too small. Too late.
The door stays shut.
“Melia, please.”
Nothing.
I stand there like an i***t, my hand hovering inches from the wood like it might burn me if I touch it again.
“I shouldn’t have asked that,” I say finally, forcing the words out. “I know that. I know it was wrong.”
Silence.
I swallow hard.
“I wasn’t thinking. That’s not an excuse. I just—God, I panicked. And I took it out on you.”
Still nothing.
I press my forehead lightly to the door.
“I’m not questioning you. I never should have questioned you. I questioned myself. And that’s on me.”
My throat tightens.
“Please say something.”
From the other side of the door, her voice finally comes, quiet but sharp.
“Go away, Alex.”
The words
