13. NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU

Alina trudged back home, her steps heavy with the weight of the day’s events. The setting sun cast long shadows on the pavement, but she barely noticed as she made her way to the small apartment she shared with her brother, Jace. Her thoughts were tangled, her emotions frayed, and by the time she reached the door, the usual sense of relief she felt upon returning home was nowhere to be found.

As she pushed the door open, she was greeted by the sound of pacing. Jace, who was usually calm and collected, was wearing a path in the living room floor. His brow was furrowed, and his lips were pressed into a thin line of concern. He looked up sharply when Alina walked in, and the worry in his eyes deepened when he saw the expression on her face.

Before he could say anything, Alina dropped her bag by the door and rushed toward him, wrapping her arms around him in a sudden, desperate hug. She buried her face in his chest, and the tears she’d been holding back all day finally broke free. Her body shook with the force of her sobs, and Jace instinctively pulled her closer, his arms encircling her protectively.

“Alina, what happened?” Jace asked softly, his voice laced with concern. He rested his chin on top of her head, trying to offer whatever comfort he could. “Talk to me.”

For a moment, Alina couldn’t speak. She could only cling to her brother, her sobs coming in waves as all the frustration, hurt, and disappointment she’d been holding in poured out. Jace waited patiently, his hand gently rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles.

“I know he’s a stranger, Jace,” Alina finally managed to choke out, her voice muffled against his shirt. “I don’t know him well at all, but… what he did today… it felt so bad. It hurt.”

Jace frowned, a mixture of anger and confusion flashing across his face. “Who are you talking about? What did he do?”

“Caelan,” she whispered, as if the name itself was too painful to speak aloud. “He… he acted like my presence sours his mood. I know I shouldn’t care, I barely know him, but… it felt like a slap in the face.”

Jace’s grip tightened slightly, a protective instinct rising within him. He knew how sensitive Alina was, how deeply she felt everything. The idea that someone had made her feel this way, especially someone she barely knew, made his blood boil.

“Alina,” he began, trying to find the right words to soothe her, “the world… it’s a hard place. Not everyone is going to be kind, or even decent. And sometimes, people are cold or dismissive for reasons that have nothing to do with you.”

She shook her head against his chest, her tears still falling. “But it keeps happening, Jace. Every time I try to befriend someone, they end up not liking me. It’s like… it’s like there’s something wrong with me.”

Jace’s heart ached at the raw vulnerability in her voice. He pulled back slightly, just enough to tilt her chin up so he could look into her eyes. Her mismatched blue and green eyes were brimming with tears, and he felt a deep, protective anger toward anyone who had made her feel this way.

“Alina, listen to me,” Jace said, his voice firm but gentle. “There is nothing wrong with you. You are kind, and smart, and you have so much to offer. If people don’t see that, it’s their loss, not yours.”

She sniffed, her gaze dropping as she tried to process his words. “But why does it feel like I’m always the one getting left behind? Like no matter what I do, I’m never enough?”

Jace’s heart twisted painfully. He hated seeing her like this, questioning her worth because of how others treated her. He gently cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze again.

“Alina, you are more than enough,” he said with quiet conviction. “You have so much love to give, and so much talent. The problem isn’t with you—it’s with the people who don’t appreciate what you have to offer. Not everyone is going to see your worth right away, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

She blinked up at him, her tears slowing as his words began to sink in. “But Caelan…”

“Caelan’s just one person, Alina,” Jace interrupted gently. “And from what you’ve told me about him, he’s got his own issues to deal with. Whatever happened today, it’s not a reflection of you. Maybe he’s just not capable of seeing how amazing you are.”

Alina’s lips trembled, and she felt a fresh wave of tears threaten to spill over. But this time, they were different—not born of pain, but of the overwhelming emotion of being seen, of being understood.

“I just… I don’t want to keep feeling like this,” she whispered. “I don’t want to keep getting hurt.”

Jace pulled her close again, holding her as if he could shield her from all the pain in the world. “I know, Alina. I know. But you can’t stop being who you are. You’re a good person, and you care about people. Don’t let a few bad experiences make you doubt yourself.”

They stood there in silence for a long time, Jace holding Alina as she slowly calmed down. The weight of the day’s emotions gradually lifted, leaving behind an exhaustion that seeped into her bones. But with Jace’s arms around her, she felt safe—safe enough to let go of the hurt, if only for a little while.

Eventually, Jace guided her over to the couch, where they sat together, her head resting on his shoulder. He didn’t push her to talk anymore, knowing she needed time to process everything. Instead, he simply held her, offering his silent support.

As the evening wore on, Alina’s tears finally dried, leaving behind a sense of quiet resolution. She wasn’t sure how she was going to face Caelan again, or how she was going to keep trying to connect with people who didn’t seem to want her friendship. But for now, she was grateful for Jace—for his unwavering support, for his understanding, and for the simple fact that she wasn’t alone.

And as she drifted off to sleep on the couch, Jace stayed by her side, his protective presence a constant reminder that no matter what happened, he would always be there for her.