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

over my body and somehow convinced my brain

smell of equipment and cleaner fill the air as the echoing sound of the basketball fills the empty space.

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

her off. “T‘ll be quick.”

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

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

his crystal blue eyes laying into me

face him, despite making me want to hurl when I realize

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

did you just say?” His voice is

I wait for more insults.

his lips. “Hey, Ryan, did your

the basketball at

kind of refreshing that the quiet twin found her

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

His eyes roam me

in the back of the

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

Sad twin? 

sad

an insult. Something that will hurt him, but the bell rings, reminding us it‘s time

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 to the world that it was

Me. Me. Me. 

to see his horrified face when he discovers that the one girl he can‘t have has

to keep up with my strut.

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

in front, and I

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

guy who complains about everything, including the temperature in the classrooms. “Why? This has been