Story 26/1001

• reasonable
• robot
• struggle

Bea pulled away from Jackson. Tears welled up in her eyes and she couldn’t breathe. Jackson sighed and crossed his arms.

“What’s the problem now?” Jackson said.

“You just don’t understand, do you? Everything has to be so logical, so reasonable. The moment I tell you how I feel, you shut down.” Bea yelled.

“Really? All you do is say how you feel, but the moment I open up, you take it personal and do this.”

“What? What exactly do I do?”

“You’re not dragging me into this. I won’t start counting.”

“It’s not counting if you tell me what is wrong. Because I clearly don’t understand.” She scoffed.

“See? This. Exactly this. I tell you that you went too far, and you scoff at my words. And then you cry and in the bad guy.”

“Sure. That’s all you’re worried about. What will others think? If you’re feeling sad or mad, you just pretend. I can’t do that, Jackson. I am not a robot.”

“That’s what you think I am? Because I’m protecting you from lashing out in front of everyone?”

“What?”

“When you get mad, you black out, you don’t hear anyone or anything. You’re just in it to hurt me.”

“Black out? I am never allowed to say what I think; I have to walk on eggshells around you so you don’t get mad at me. “

“God, Bea. This shouldn’t be so hard.”

“Well, heads up, Jackson. Love is hard. Loving someone is hard. Having someone see all your flaws and then think they have the right to point them all out, is hard.”

Jackson and Bea stood there. For a few minutes, no one said a word.

“I love you. But it’s been such a struggle lately. I’m always scared I’ll do something wrong and lose you. And, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Bea cried, tears rolling down her face. Jackson got closer, and put his hand on her face, wiping the tears away.

“We are in this together. I am not leaving. As long as we are fighting together, and not against each other, I am here.” He hugged her.

“I’m sorry I yelled. I guess I do black out a bit.” She smiled lightly.

“I can handle it. Just listen to me. I know it’s hard to hear certain things sometimes, but if I ever say something, it’s just because I’m here with you, through all of it. I will not leave. I’m sorry if I can’t react properly sometimes.”

“You are too harsh, you know.”

“Really? Too harsh? Spoiled much, princess?”

“You told me you’ll spoil me.” Bea smiled and kissed Jackson.