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 

gym where Ryan and Easton just went.

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

The smell of equipment and cleaner fill the air as the echoing sound of the basketball fills

while Sadie, just behind me, quietly tries to grab my arm and pull me away like she knows something‘s about

her off. “T‘ll be quick.”

in my 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, strong jaw, and stupid lower

myself, my heart pounding in my chest like I‘ve just done a hundred pushups.

arms, his crystal blue eyes laying into

for myself? To once and for all face him,

poof

say?” His voice is low,

me.” I wait

the corner of his lips. “Hey, Ryan, did

the basketball at Easton‘s junk.

was kidding, it‘s kind of refreshing

a tone that says he‘ll kick Easton‘s ass if he keeps

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

the

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

Sad twin? 

the sad twin?

him, but

And, maybe one day, I‘ll just announce to the world

Me. Me. Me. 

day it will be to see his horrified face when he discovers that the one girl he can‘t have has been standing in front of him all this time.

to keep up with

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

her seat in front, and I

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

a guy who complains about everything, including the temperature in the