" He looked at me intently before speaking. “Why do you do that?”
I frowned at him. “Do what?”
“Push everyone away.” Danny told me simply.
I was a little stunned and when I didn’t say anything, Danny continued on.
“Darcie, what are you so afraid of? Why do you shut people out?” He looked at me searchingly.
“Because it’s easier that way!” I yelled at him suddenly and he looked taken aback.
I took a deep breath to calm down and added, “And I don’t like feeling vulnerable.”
Danny stared at me. “Being vulnerable is nothing to be ashamed of Darcie …it’s what makes us human.”
I shook my head furiously. “No! Being vulnerable makes you weak – just like every other emotion … if you allow yourself to care, you only end up getting hurt.”
Danny threw me a consoling look. “But there’s nothing wrong with caring –”
“No!” I interrupted angrily. “I don’t want to care! You only end up getting hurt … and it hurts so bad that you can’t breathe. I don’t want to feel like that. I don’t want to feel at all! It’s just easier to shut everyone out … if you don’t care about them – you won’t get hurt! "

― Joanne McClean , Learning to Breathe (Breathing, #1)