i'm mad? no, i was hurt. there's a difference, and i think many people don't see that. pain changes the way you act, the way you speak, the way you protect yourself. it makes you quiet, more careful, and distant. not because you don't care, but because caring started to hurt too much. it makes you think twice before trusting, before loving, and before opening up to someone again. it teaches you to protect your heart, even from good people. and that's okay. because protecting yourself is not weakness. it's learning to love yourself first.