and all caught up.


7. formal

.

Formal meant cold.

To act informally would be to act warmly, and warmly was not an option.

(Even if warmth they missed.)

Formal meant distant.

To act informally would be to get closer, and closer was not possible.

(Even if isolation felt lonely.)

Formal meant reserved.

To act informally would be to say too much, one way or the other, and break the delicate balance that made passing days almost bearable.

(Even if it never truly worked.)

On the other hand, formal meant undecided.

To act informally would be to declare intentions, and he was not certain of what they should be.

(Even if he knew what his heart wished for.)

Formal meant careful.

To act informally would be to risk wounding further, and he hoped to avoid that.

(Even if it had always been impossible.)

Formal meant removed.

To act informally would be to try to alleviate distrust, and he still doubted he had any right to do it.

(Even if he believed everything he told them.)

But most of all, formal was brittle, and temporary, and not at all helpful.