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 

Ryan and Easton just went.

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

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

quietly tries to grab my arm and pull me away like

fine.” I shrug her off. “T‘ll be

to 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 stupid lower

I can stop myself, my heart pounding in my chest like I‘ve just

and crosses his arms, his crystal blue eyes

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?

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

just say?” His voice is low, his

wait for more

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

chucks the basketball at Easton‘s

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

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

simultaneously. “How could I possibly forget?” His eyes roam me up and down.

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

grin on his face. “Anything else

Sad twin? 

the sad

blast him with an insult. Something that will hurt him,

the gym. Whatever, I said my peace, let him deal with his guilt and idiocy. And, maybe one day, I‘ll just announce to the world that it was my tits he was obsessed with,

Me. Me. Me. 

horrified face when he discovers that the one girl

Sadie struggles to keep up with my strut.

I want to scream, instead I pretend

seat in front, and I grab

Easton‘s in the classroom, stopping in front of the desk behind me, the last row.

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