Someone recently asked me an intriguing question:
"Just how bad are you?"
I thought about it and realized—when it comes to annoyance, I can be unbearable.
If I ever get truly furious, I become this force no one dares to approach.
My stubbornness builds walls so high, no one can scale them.
But today wasn't one of those days.
Today, I could hardly contain my excitement.
I was practically glowing.
"Terra, where are you?" my mom's voice echoed down the hallway.
"I'm here!" I called out, smiling from my cozy corner.
She turned the corner and stopped in her tracks. "Well, look who's ready early! My little princess! Dressed and shining—what's gotten into you?"
I grinned, proud. "I think I finally understand what you always say: If I want something wonderful, I have to first be a good person."
Her expression softened. "Whoever said you weren't? You are perfect. I mean, I might be biased, but I'm glad you're starting to see it too. But sweetheart—if you don't want to go today, we can still take a break. No pressure."
"What?! No way!" I gasped, instantly panicking. "You swore—you swore I could do this! There's no backing out now!"
—
We entered the therapy center, and I felt lighter than usual… until I realized—
He wasn't there.
I scanned the lobby, my heart quietly deflating.
"Your room's the third door to the left," Mom said gently.
I nodded, but my eyes kept searching.
As I entered the therapy room, I glanced toward the back—just in case.
A man near the doorway raised an eyebrow. "Looking for someone?"
And then I saw him.
I gasped—literally screamed.
He blinked in surprise. "Are you… the girl who looks at me like she wants to devour me?"
"What are you doing here?!" I blurted out, still frozen in shock.
"I'm the therapist," he replied smoothly.
"You're the therapist?!"
He tilted his head, amused. "And who might you be?"
"I—I'm the one who needs therapy."
"Ah, then you must be… Terra?"
My heart thudded against my ribs. He knows my name.
"Come in," he said, motioning to the chair across from him. "Your mother told me a bit about you. Sounds like there's a lot going on. So—tell me about yourself."
I swallowed. "Um… like what?"
"Everything."
Why am I blushing right now?
"I'm Terra. I'm eighteen. I… lost one year of memory. That's about it."
He nodded slowly. "And what are your hobbies? What do you think about most? Why do you feel like you're boring?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Who said I feel that way?"
"You did. Right here," he said, holding up—my diary.
"What?! Who gave you that?!"
"Your mom handed it over. She wanted to help."
"She read it?" I exclaimed. "That's not fair!"
"I need answers."
I laughed nervously. "Well… I like crafts."
He raised an eyebrow. "yo do Crafts? "
"Yeah, sometimes. And… I think a lot about my dad. And… a guy."
"Oh? A crush?" he teased, smiling.
"It's not a big deal!" I said quickly. "I don't even talk to him—I just… look."
"Well, maybe you should talk to him. What if he feels the same way?"
"Should I…?"
He reached over, gently ruffling my hair. "He must be lucky."
His eyes held something deeper—a loneliness, maybe? A flicker of something I couldn't place.
I stared down, my cheeks burning.
He continued, "Why do you think you're boring?"
"I don't know… because I'm quiet?"
He leaned forward. "That doesn't make you boring. Not even close. You're talking to me just fine right now. And I find you… actually fascinating."
I looked up in surprise. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to be annoying."
He smiled softly. "I never said that. You can say anything here. I'm here for you."
A warmth bloomed in my chest.
"Really? Anything?"
"Absolutely. Whatever you need to get off your chest."
I hesitated, my heart pounding.
"I… I… I think… I have feelings for you."
The words tumbled out.
My eyes widened in horror.
What did I just say?!
He froze. His eyes went wide—shocked, yes—but also… something else?
Realization hit me like a truck.
"Oh my god—I didn't mean to—I mean—"
I grabbed my bag and bolted from the room, the air thick with my confession still hanging there behind me.
What in the world did I just say?!