You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 17 

Harper 

I don‘t know how long I stand outside after Ryan and Easton are gone. All I can do is breathe in and out, in and out, as I mentally replay 

HARTER 

“Don‘t waste your time, Ryan. A little costume doesn‘t hide the fact that it‘s Harper– it also can‘t hide the horrible personality either. Let‘s go shoot some hoops.” 

Maybe if we hadn‘t kissed twice or if he hadn‘t touched me and made me feel the things he did. But, the truth was, even with the costume, 

even with the darkness, that was all me, Harper, the same Harper that Easton just said couldn‘t hide. 

It‘s like he knew exactly what to say and how to say it to make me want to cry until all the tears made my heart feel better. 

“Hey.” The cafeteria doors slam behind Sadie. “What happened? Is Ryan super pissed? Do I need to go talk to him?” 

I remain quiet, not sure how to answer. 

“God, I‘m going to kill him! I refuse to crush on him anymore! You hear that, Ryan?” She starts yelling like he can actually hear her.  

“We‘re through, you little–” 

“Shhh.” I tug on her arm. “Can we just leave?” 

Her eyes widen in shock. “You want to cut class?” 

No, I want to cut Easton , then tell him how badly he‘s cut me, then kiss him and confess everything and wait for him to laugh until he cries. 

That sounds really fun. 

Why is high school the worst? 

I almost feel numb at this point as I shake my head. Somehow, my legs aren‘t taking me to my locker or to class – no, I‘m walking 

toward the gym where Ryan and Easton just went.

what sort of entity has taken over my body and somehow convinced my brain that this

gym doors. The smell of equipment and cleaner fill the air as

quietly tries to grab my arm and pull me away like she knows something‘s about to go

shrug her off.

boots and wait for them to notice me. Ryan does first, his expression unreadable, and then there‘s Easton. Beautiful, gorgeous, godlike Easton, with his perfect hair, amazing kissing skills,

you such an asshole?” || blurt before I can stop myself, my heart pounding in my chest like I‘ve just done a

crosses his arms, his crystal blue eyes laying into me

right to have feelings? To stand up for myself? To once and for all face him, despite making me want to hurl when I realize I‘m currently sealing my own fate with him?

going to be gone in a poof of smoke and even though I don‘t want to care,

voice is low,

I wait for more

smirk toys at the corner of his lips. “Hey, Ryan, did your sister suddenly find

chucks the basketball at Easton‘s

laugh. “I was kidding, it‘s kind of

kick Easton‘s ass if he keeps talking

his godlike profile making me want to both slap him and kiss him simultaneously. “How could I possibly forget?” His eyes roam me

the back of the head with his hand.

still has that stupid grin on his face. “Anything else you need to say,

Sad twin? 

sad twin?

insult. Something that will hurt him, but the

quickly turn on my heel and grab Sadie‘s arm, marching out of the gym. Whatever, I said my peace, let him deal with his guilt and idiocy. And, maybe

Me. Me. Me. 

when he discovers that the one

brave.” Sadie struggles to keep up with

I correct her. “That was necessary.” I want to scream, instead I pretend

seat in front, and I grab my

front of the desk behind me, the last row. “Yo, move.”

about everything, including the temperature in the