“He was far more handsome in person. His blue eyes carved into my soul and his strong physique left me wanting to melt into him. His ragged hands were animated as he spoke about himself and the way he casually lit a cigarette while quoting Paulo Coelho left me liquid. We walked on the beach for miles on end, just talking, just being. He took some photos of me walking in the water, carefree with the sunset grinning in the sky. Soul photos. He said I was beautiful and for that short time together, I believed it.”

Excerpt From: Hiraeth. “Hiraeth Phoenix.”