Unrequited

We accept the love we think we deserve.

Declan couldn't comprehend it for a moment. For much of his life, he had been alone. Declan's parents died in the infamous Trade Center attacks, when the second tower collapsed. He left New York to live with his next of kin in what seemed like a backwoods cesspool called Austin.

Now that he'd graduated, his plans weren't quite as clear. Declan forgot for the moment that things really were never that clear. The words remained constantly burned on the monitor as he finished up a few internet postings.

He felt the buzz in his pocket. Declan tugged out the iPhone and gave it a quick tap. Moira again, thought Declan. He loved her like a sister, because that's pretty much who she was. She lived on the ranch across the road from Uncle Finn and Aunt Caitlin. They'd taken many a rides on horseback on those late summer evenings. Declan even helped her father with hauling hay as it was. Moira was the first friendly face that he connected with, but that quickly evolved into something more.

Movie was good, dinner sucked. TTYL! I<3u

But for now, those words on the screen brought back the image of Leila. The vacuum once again clenched its iron fists around his heart.