After his confession, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. 'You're a great guy,' I said finally, trying to soften the blow. But I'm just not ready for a relationship right now. He asked why, and I shrugged, even though he couldn't see me. 'It's complicated,' I said vaguely. 'Reasons known to me, I guess'. But the truth was, I was scared. Scared of being hurt, scared of opening myself up to someone new. This was the third time he'd asked me out, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake by pushing him away. Again. He surprised me by saying he was done trying to make me accept him. 'I'm sorry for everything,' he said. 'I feel like I'm pressuring you to do what you don't want to do. It's over. I can't wait again.' I felt a pang of pain in my heart, a sensation I'd never experienced before. 'Okay,' I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He hung up immediately, leaving me shattered. I burst out crying, feeling like I'd just made a terrible decision. A part of me wanted to call him back, to tell him I loved him wholeheartedly. But I couldn't. Fear held me back. Fear of loving, fear of messing things up, fear of him leaving me for someone else. I'd seen my friends go through heartbreak, and I didn't want to follow the same path. Yet, now that he was gone, I realized I might have let something real slip away. I'm done. You heard me right? Done trying to fall in love. I don't deserve it, do I? Fate made that clear the day my family left me behind. I was too stubborn to admit it then, but now I see the truth. Love isn't meant for everyone. Some people are destined to be alone no friends, no family, no one to love or care for them. That's my reality. But... could I ever get a fourth chance to feel loved? To be seen, to be heard, to be cherished by love?