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

I doing and what sort of entity has taken over my body and somehow

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

tries to grab my arm and pull me away like she knows

fine.” I shrug her off. “T‘ll be

me.

asshole?” || blurt before I can stop myself, my heart pounding in

arms, his crystal blue eyes laying

have feelings? To stand up for myself? To once and for all face him, despite making me want to hurl when

may have had is going to be gone in a poof of smoke and even though

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

wait for

of his lips. “Hey, Ryan, did your sister suddenly find out

chucks the basketball at

laugh. “I was kidding, it‘s kind of refreshing that the quiet twin found her

Ryan uses a tone that says he‘ll kick Easton‘s

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

in the back of the head with his hand. “Really, bro?”

stumbles forward but he still has that stupid grin on his face. “Anything

Sad twin? 

the sad twin?

an insult. Something that will hurt him, but the bell rings,

marching out of the gym. Whatever, I said my peace, let him deal with his guilt and idiocy. And, maybe one day, I‘ll just announce

Me. Me. Me. 

face when he discovers that the one

to keep up with my strut.

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

grabs her seat in front, and I grab

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

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