Embracement

You examine your reflection in someone else’s eyes, wondering if you are ever truly seen. I have always wanted this, you tell yourself. I am finally loved.

Yet it is the closeness that alarms you. Despite all hesitations, you share an embrace, you touch, you kiss, you surrender — you finally convinced yourself to step into the role, hoping that perhaps, someday, you'd learn to trust: you will transform yourself. You'll learn to love as you're loved.

And so you wait, dogged, convinced.

You have fooled no one but yourself.