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

of entity has taken over my body and somehow convinced my brain that this is a good

pounding, I shove open the gym doors. The smell of equipment and cleaner fill the air as the echoing sound

laughing while Sadie, just behind me, quietly tries to grab my arm and

fine.” I shrug her off. “T‘ll

the court 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

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

arms, his crystal blue eyes laying into me

the 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

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

did you just say?” His voice is low, his posture

I wait

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

chucks the basketball at

was kidding, it‘s kind of refreshing that the quiet twin found

kick Easton‘s ass if he keeps talking about me in that kind

making me want to both slap him and kiss him simultaneously. “How could I possibly forget?” His eyes roam me up and down. “She‘s like you but with boobs and “– his eyes leer purposefully lower– “y ou know.”

in the back of the head

he still has that stupid grin on his face. “Anything else you need

Sad twin? 

the sad

teeth ready to blast him with an insult. Something that will hurt him, but the bell rings, reminding us it‘s time to

Whatever, I said my peace, let him deal with his guilt and idiocy. And,

Me. Me. Me. 

his horrified face when he discovers that the one girl he can‘t have has been standing in front

to keep

was necessary.” I want to scream, instead I pretend to be calm as |

her seat in front, and I grab my seat in

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

about everything, including the temperature in the classrooms. “Why? This has