He shrugs. "Doesn't help to waste my time thinking about would've-beens."
Laila whispers, "He says to the girl with a mind full of them.

For years I played the what-if game. Maybe you're acquainted with this pastime. The rules are simple:

Rule #1: You're only allowed to think of worst-case scenarios.

Rule #2: You're never allowed to win this game. You can only lose.

Rule #3: The more you play, the greater your losses.

You'll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that.

You see, the what ifs are as boundless as the stars.

Do you ever feel like you do something or are something for so long that it defines you?

The was something very satisfying about a smile that had to be earned.