I turn to face her, my heart beating a little faster than before. Tears are threatening to fall, shimmering at the edges of her eyes. She’s still fighting them back as if letting them fall betrays her.

“Scared of what?” I ask softly, stepping closer, but not too close to invade her space.

“Of everything,” she murmurs, her voice cracking. “Of you, of me, of this world I’m learning about. I feel like I’m drowning, and no one can pull me out of it.”

Her words hit me like a punch ...