My boyfriend embraced me in a hug. His head rested on top of mine as his arms enveloped me. “I just get scared sometimes,” he said. “But I don’t want me being scared to scare you.” He was reassuring me after a small disagreement. I said, “I’m always scared. I grew up scared.” I tried to keep my tone light and humorous, but it was a bad joke because it was true. “I know,” he replied. He was serious. He held me tighter as he said, “But I don’t want you to be scared anymore.” It sounded like a promise.
Lilo Hayes is a nineteen-year-old student at Emerson College. She enjoys late nights and dirty chai lattes. X: @hayeslilo