Amalia
She does not know what she expects the answer to her question will be. A boisterous laugh, an outrageous story, a boastful declaration, a quiet truth if she is lucky.
She does not expect him to freeze like a snake, suddenly coiled and dangerous, fire in his eyes and venom in his voice.
Amalia turns back when he stops, surprised- but not as surprised as she becomes when he spits back his denial. For a moment she stands, frozen and afraid, her heart thundering riotously in her chest. A moment ago she had felt so confident, so comfortable in their friendship, in the company of the man. A moment ago he'd touched her gently and brought her roaring back to herself, reminded her that she is more than her anger, more than passion against an unjust world.
He hadn't been afraid of her, so why is she so terrified, now?
Exhale; she blinks, the moment gone, strung as tight as a bow at first but loosened now, a breath unleashed. "Okay," she answers gently, softly, her dark eyes focused on his face. "We won't talk about it, then."
She does not expect him to freeze like a snake, suddenly coiled and dangerous, fire in his eyes and venom in his voice.
Amalia turns back when he stops, surprised- but not as surprised as she becomes when he spits back his denial. For a moment she stands, frozen and afraid, her heart thundering riotously in her chest. A moment ago she had felt so confident, so comfortable in their friendship, in the company of the man. A moment ago he'd touched her gently and brought her roaring back to herself, reminded her that she is more than her anger, more than passion against an unjust world.
He hadn't been afraid of her, so why is she so terrified, now?
Exhale; she blinks, the moment gone, strung as tight as a bow at first but loosened now, a breath unleashed. "Okay," she answers gently, softly, her dark eyes focused on his face. "We won't talk about it, then."
