I’ve always yearned for a friendship where I didn’t have to explain myself, because I wanted you to know me in my entirety—whole and all. I’ve always wanted that kind of closeness. I ached for the kind of familiarity that didn’t ask questions, because you already KNEW. I wanted to bask in the comfort of knowing that I didn’t have to explain myself, because you already knew me. I wanted to be oblivious to everything else. Even your toxic traits, because I didn’t want to start over again. It was like playing my favourite song on repeat, even though there were so many other songs out there. I knew there might be something better, something new I could love just as deeply—but I didn’t reach for it. I stayed . Because this one was familiar. Because this one was mine. That’s exactly how I felt about you. I didn’t want to start over with someone else. I didn’t want to explain my childhood to a stranger. I didn’t want to learn a new person’s favourite colour. I didn’t want to figure out some...