Said Out Loud

“Do you always have to share everything with someone? You… always talking, always unpacking things.

Have you ever seen me sit around and dissect my problems with my friends? We just chill, laugh, and move on,” he said, leaning back like he’d made a solid point.

She looked at him, eyes lingering for a second longer than usual. Her lips parted this time.

“Please don’t generalize,” she said softly.

“Of course you don’t,” her thoughts stirred quietly. “You carry it all, let it sit, let it grow… and call that strength.

I speak because I trust. I let it out because I don’t want it to consume me. We’re not the same… and maybe that’s okay. Maybe one day, you’ll see it.”

She smiled instead. Soft. Agreeable.

And nodded.