Kapitel 106: The Morning After

"Is there a story behind your tattoos? That's a thing, right? Don't most people have a reason behind their tattoos?"

I lay in Alec's bed, curled up next to him with my head on his shoulder. I traced a flower on his chest.

"I've always felt connected to tigers. They give me strength, so I carry one with me everywhere I go now."

"And the bleeding heart flowers?"

"The flowers are reminders to practice compassion. Everyone has a heart, but outsiders can't see the pain carried there. We can't judge who is bleeding or why because most people hide their truth.

"Only through compassion can we offer these people the support they need without invading their privacy. But here is the thing. That same compassion can open up even the most closed-off bleeding hearts to share those very same private thoughts that haunt them.

"That's a good thing. Only through opening up can we heal."