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

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

I shove open the gym doors. The smell of equipment and cleaner fill

my arm and pull me

shrug her off.

to notice me. Ryan does first, his expression unreadable, and then there‘s Easton. Beautiful, gorgeous, godlike Easton, with his

before I can stop myself, my heart pounding in my chest like

drops the ball and crosses his arms, his crystal blue eyes laying into me with indignant

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

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

did you just say?” His voice is

heard me.” I wait for

small smirk toys at the corner of his lips. “Hey, Ryan, did your sister suddenly find out

basketball at Easton‘s

it‘s kind of refreshing that the

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

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

hits him in the back of the head with his hand. “Really,

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

Sad twin? 

sad twin?

that will hurt him, but the bell rings, reminding us it‘s time

my heel and grab Sadie‘s arm, marching out of the gym. Whatever, I said my peace, let him deal with his guilt and idiocy. And, maybe one day,

Me. Me. Me. 

he discovers that the one girl he can‘t have has been standing in front of him all

to keep

I correct her. “That was necessary.” I want to scream, instead I pretend to be calm as | speed walk

in front, and I grab my seat

front of the desk

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