JUDE
Slowly, I sit up, and we look at each other. "Miko."
"If I had asked you on a different day, maybe if I had waited and asked you right here, right now … would you have given me a different answer?"
I look at my hands, which are on his chest. "I … I can't- I can't be in a relationship. I might have worded it harshly, very factually, but I meant it. I am not ready to be with you. Not as seriously as you want."
I don't have to look at him to hear his heartfelt feelings. "Why?"
"You think you know me, but you don't. One of my other fears is, one day you will truly see me and realize that it was only a crush and you cannot stand me. I am not the best person, Miko," I look up at him. "I am not as pure as you say I am. I am not angelic. I am messed up, dark, and I don't want to be with you on the day you realize that I am not all that you think I am. When that illusion fades. I would rather just say here."
