Escaping

"You don't…" Ariana wanted to tell him that there was no need for him to cry. But Nicolai didn't seem to be listening. He hugged her and continued to speak, 

"I know that you think that you are way too smart … and maybe compared to you –I am just an idiot. And yes maybe I am," Nicolai tightened his hold on her as he stated, "You are indeed way too good for me. That is all true.. But …" 

He pulled away from her. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears as he said to her, "But no matter how much of an idiot I am.. I still understand this —" 

He raised his hands and placed them on Ariana's shoulders before saying to her, "You are not a thing, Ariana! Nor are you a piece of property. One that can be replaced or returned just because I found that there was something wrong with you." 

"And there was never—ever anything wrong with you."