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I keep a straight face and say, "Because I have this theory that e die, every ani us back So if you’re a carnivore and you add up all the aniatory, being chewed"

It’s funny to see Ashley’s perfect features contort into a grih "No I’etarian because I think it’s wrong to eat other sentient creatures And it sucks for the environh," she says

I’m not sure I’ve persuaded her

Maybe over time I can, I think

Then I think, What?

I shouldn’t be thinking of anything over time It’s just one day plus another day plus another day Maybe

When things get bad with Justin, the question I findis: What’s the point? Like, why put ourselves through all this? Why try to squeeze two people into the shape of a couple? Are the things you gain really worth the things you lose?

Now I’ about favorite foods, and the best meals we’ve ever had, and the foods we hate the , and when I ask her questions back, I enjoy the answers she givesreally well But there’s a part ofat it as it happens, and that part is asking, What is this? What’s the point?

When we’re done eating, we pack the leftovers in the ha e’re going to do next, alk into the woods The paths aren’t obvious--we find our way through the trees by heading into theround

When we’re alone, e’re walking like this, all of the conversation that’s been happening on the outside moves to the center of our minds What is this? I know I can’t answer it alone

"I need to knohat you want," I say

She doesn’t seeet a What’s gotten into you? But A ansithout ether," she (he?) tells me

She says it like it’s easy But there’s no wayeasy Not when she’s in a different body every day I can have a conversation with any of them, I’m sure But when it co that part ofto work and some aren’t Like now She has to see that

"But we can’t be together," I say I’m amazed by how calm I sound "You realize that, don’t you?"

"No," she says "I don’t realize that"

Frustrating It’s like talking to a child who still believes that proclai out loud can make it real I wish I could believe like that

I stop walking and put my hand on her shoulder The truth hurts to say, especially because she looks so unready to hear it