"Look, I'm sorry. But I just… can't."

"But why not? I like you, a lot. And you like me. What is the big deal here?" Jared questioned through a whisper. I sighed, staring at this man who left barely a foot between us. His hands rested lightly upon my shoulders and he had me backed up against the college hallway wall (which lead to the stairs).

I couldn't look at him as I spoke, so I let my dirty blonde hair fall a bit into my face,

"We just… would never work out. Believe me. You'd get bored of me after a while," I heard him suck in his breath at the comment but I moved on to what else I had to say before he could say anything himself.

"I'm not a very nice person, I can't ever explain myself and I have so many problems that it's not worth it to try and help me through them; if that is even possible." I could feel the tears coming on and tried to keep my face downward but Jared grabbed my chin and lifted my face so he could see into my eyes which were all but streaming with the tears being held feebly back.

"You explained yourself perfectly just now, and from the way you're feeling about all of this, as well as what I've seen when with you at other times, you are definitely not a mean person. How can you think I'd get bored of you? Not only that that you aren't worth it?" Shock was rippling in his low voice as he spoke.

Softly, he came even closer to me, leaving all but an inch between us. His right hand rested upon my cheek and his thumb softly, slowly, rubbed my lips. I began shaking with fear, trembling at the thought of what he was about to do.

And so, I broke free of his limp grasp and began to run towards the stairs .I didn't get far before Jared grabbed my arm and quickly pulled me into a tight hug.

"Sh-h-h," he soothed as I silently cried into his shirt, surely soaking it, "it's okay Krissy. You don't need to fear. I'm here, I'm here." One hand was stroking my hair while the other was planted firmly on the small of my back. I tried to pull away but his hold on me was firm.

Even when I finally calmed down he kept his hold tightly.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," he breathed softly into my ear, "what's wrong Krissy? Why are you so afraid?"

Butterflies were fluttering in my stomach at the sound of my name. This time, when I pulled away, he let me put barely a few inches between us.

Again, I couldn't look at him as I spoke,

"I…" but that's all I could think of to say for a few moments. I kept my eyes downcast and then said in such a whisper, I'm sure he had to strain his ears to hear. "I… I'm scared of getting close to anyone. If I get too close I…" but suddenly my eyes widened in shock and I looked up abruptly into Jared's face, etched with concern and worry. I'd caused that in his face and I hated that I was doing that to him, yet strangely happy to see that he did care, even if it was but this moment.

"Oh… I've said too much! I shouldn't have said that much! That's so selfish of me to be like this. I'm sorry!" Fear in my eyes once again, I quickly pulled from his grasp, shaking, as I ran down the three story stairs, through the "mall" cafeteria, and out the double doors to the outside, barely making it far down the walkway when Jared caught me, holding onto me as I struggled to break free. This time, the fear was real and showing its ugly face as I struggled. But he never let go.

As I began to sob, I heard what he was shouting to me,

"Krissy! Krissy! It's ok! I'm not gonna hurt you. Please calm down! Nothing's gonna happen to you!" He kept his firm hands on me, his grip so tight it looked as if he might break his own bones. "Please tell me what's wrong. Why are you so afraid?" Jared pleaded with me, his voice husky with deep emotion.

I stood silently, panting, and slightly hunched over; my hands holding onto each arm that was wrapped around me. And finally, finally I whispered in defeat,

"I don't want to be hurt. Not again---"

"I told you I wouldn't hurt you,"

"I mean emotionally. I don't want to be hurt emotionally anymore. If… If I get close to you… you'll just end up breaking my heart because you'll realize I truly am not that interesting, nor beautiful, nor---"

"Oh, you are definitely the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. No doubt about that!" he assured me, but doubt still lingered on my face. Jared turned me around so that we could see each other. His face held some relief on his features while fear still leaked a little through his sapphire eyes. He brought both hands up to my face and now he could see the fear in my features, so he held his hands a little tighter, making sure I couldn't back away and run this time.

I flinched a little as his face became so close to mine I could taste his breath.

"Trust me," he whispered, and then his lips met my lips. As afraid as I was for this new feeling to me, his lips upon my lips felt so right. His lips were so soft yet I could feel the force of him not wanting to let go.

I brought my hands up to his shoulders, holding lightly as one of his hands wrapped around and was placed tightly on my back, while the other still cupped my face.

I soon realized that I was crying and it seemed that he did as well, for he abruptly pulled back, though he still never let go of me, so he ended up going down with me as I sank to my knees, heaving sobs, while he held me.

None too soon, I began to stop crying and just soaked up the comfort Jared was giving me; leaning into his body full of warmth on this crisp evening.

A few moments longer, Jared positioned himself in front of me; kneeling just so, while once again grabbing a light hold onto my face, leaning so our foreheads were touching.

I could see that as he did so, his eyes closed, so a second longer I did the same.

"Trust me, Krissy, Okay? I will do my hardest to protect you, to not hurt you in any way. Please believe me."

The way his low voice sounded as he said those words were so truthful, that as much as I was scared to believe him, I couldn't help but not do so.

So, taking a breath, I answered him.

"I'll… I'll believe you. But I can't say that it'll be easy for me… I will do my hardest; for you." Jared pulled back to look into my face, and as I opened my eyes, looking to his, I could see such adoration and happiness in them. He smiled and I found myself doing the same, loving the way his smile fit his face. Not but a moment later he leaned in and kissed me once again. This time, the kiss being far more tender then the last.