Little Inklings 2024

LOVE AGAIN By: Veronica Puig ’28 Sarah put on a stashed-away dress her ex, Jake, hated. She felt weird living her life her way without any opinions or unwanted comments. She had a date to attend after months andmonths of pure sorrow and grief, healing from the broken relationship with Jake. Before walking out the door, she went to the mirror closest to her, lined her lips, and filled them in with crimson red paint. Jake would always tell her to trade the red for a pink but she put it on anyway. Once she arrived, Sarah nervously adjusted her dress before she stepped inside the coffee shop. Once inside she immediately spotted Harry sitting at a table for two by a window with a bright view and he gently waved with a warm smile. Sarah couldn’t help but notice the difference between Harry and Jake. Harry had this soft and kind demeanor that immediately calmed her down. “Hey Sarah, so glad to see you!” Harry said in a genuine tone while standing up to greet her with a promising hug. “Hi Harry, it’s really nice to see you too. I’mglad I was able to make it.” Sarah replied, getting red-flushed. She got to her seat and there came Harry pulling out her chair for her. That’s probably just a no-brainer gesture but for me, it’s the nicest thing someone could ever do Sarah thought in her head. Both sitting down they started talking, sharing stories and she couldn’t help but notice how attentive he was and how he’d even laugh like a little kid and find her funny when Jake never did. She found herself opening up more than she had in a long time and couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief. She thought How could someone be so genuinely kind? Sarah had to put upwith Jake’smanipulation and cold heart for so long that she forgot how it felt like to be treated with respect and love. She tried so hard not to bring Jake up in their conversation as that was the center of everything before. Resisting the temptation she started thinking to herself how long it’s been still being affected by an unappreciative man. Deep in thought, she concluded that the past is past. It was like a weight magically lifted off her shoulders. After hours of amazing conversation, they finally paid for the coffee. Harry then asked, “Where do you want to go eat?” Sarah felt seen and couldn’t believe her opinion mattered since with Jake he always had the upper hand. She was surprised by her wanting the date to never end, as she thought that it would be a tragedy. Maybe there are good people in the world, she thought. Sarah simply couldn’t wipe off the smile on her face and by the end of the date she allowed herself to feel joy and love again, and somehow that was everything. 34