• "No."
    His answer echoed in my mind and my heart again and again. He didn't love me, and he never would. Tears had come and gone, washing with them any hope that was left. I closed my eyes, praying that sleep would relieve some of the pain. I don't know when I fell asleep, all I know was that my dreams were wonderful and terrible. All were of him, as usual. I dreamed of being held in his arms, his soft lips pressing against mine. I dreamed of asking again, and the hope was there, possibly just an aftereffect from the wonderful dreams. I woke before I heard his answer, but I knew what it would be.
    "No."
    I had given my heart to him and he had thrown it on the floor. I could feel the hollowness where it used to be, and I doubted that these wounds would ever heal. I didn't realize I was crying until my pillow was soaked in my sadness. Again, his answer reminded me.
    "No."
    This one short word had broken me, had taken my reason for living out from under me. This one word had drained my life of any feelings other than this, which was beyond words.
    "No."
    The one word that could kill me.