"Okay," she repeated once more, feeling small and more vulnerable than she'd ever admit to. A month and this was only the second instance that he thought to inform her of his feelings, and even that was due only to her prompting. Love wasn't meant to be like this, she didn't think. Love wasn't meant to hurt all the time.

Daring to glance at him for only a split second, Melody soon turned her attentions back to her discarded broth. She really should try to drink it, but the thought of doing so churned her stomach. Frowning, she fidgeted with her fingers. "You know I'm not avoiding you, right?" Melody then asked quietly.