The Need To Run Away

He could see the shift in her demeanor, the way her laughter had died and her body had tensed. She was withdrawing, her earlier openness replaced by the cool distance she'd maintained before. He knew he should let her go, but the thought of her slipping away again made something deep within him rebel.

"You're running away," he said, his voice a mixture of resignation and frustration. "You always do that. You run as soon as things get difficult. What are you afraid of?"

She froze at his words, his accusation striking a chord within her. She knew he was right—she did always run, always hid behind a mask of indifference when things got too complicated. But she couldn't let him know how deeply his words affected her. She lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze with a cool look.

"I'm not afraid of anything," she said, her voice betraying a hint of defensiveness. "I just... I need some space, that's all."