“Media is about staying true to your voice, of course, but it’s also about interacting with the people you’re communicating with. It’s not about talking at, it’s talking to, with.

Romance was a waste of time, a form of manipulation utilized by boys who didn’t wash their bedsheets regularly. It existed, sure, but I wasn’t surrounded by anyone I believed engaged in it properly, with respect for the object of affection, rather than a thirst to claim—a triumph of acquisition, rather than a triumph of winning affection.

I think everyone just wants to be seen and to find someone who they enjoy seeing.

I think I’m right for you, Kai. I think we operate at a higher frequency when we’re together. Our energies fuse and we become supernovas. I think we have so much more to share and to give. I think we’ve barely even begun. To not give us a chance would be a shame, a waste, a tragedy.

We were too scared to talk it through, lashing out to protect ourselves and hurting ourselves in the process.

“You’re the only guy that’s ever held my hand without the intention of getting something from me. You just hold my hand to hold it. To hold me.

My chest had grown a hook for him to hang his smile on whenever he came around.

There’s some, uh, friendship trauma there. I think I was worried that you guys wouldn’t like me if I was all of me you know? Like I would let you down or something.”

What if I’m permanently emotionally fucked?”