You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 50

Harper

I can’t believe I have to go to school like this. My eyes are puffy from crying all night, my hair a tangled mess from tossing and turning. I don’t have the energy to do more than tie it up in a messy bun or attempt to even put makeup on.

I just want this day to be over.

And I don’t want to run into Easton.

I don’t want to pass him in the hallway or see him at lunch or watch him get into his Jeep after school.

I don’t want him to even exist.

My heart aches even more than it did last night because the first thing I saw this morning while Ryan drove us to school was Aisha’s post.

As if her moaning wasn’t enough.

Now, I have to see his clothes on her bed. The same outfit he was wearing when he was on my bed, between my legs, his lips on that spot that was making me moan.

My stomach feels like it’s been punched. My chest so tight, a chainsaw couldn’t even break it.

And, to make me feel even worse, Ryan knows that Easton kissed me. Blake told him and he also told him that he wants to date me. I heard Ryan yelling all that into the phone last night, long after he kicked the guys out. He probably thought I was asleep, but I was far from it, and I tried figuring out who he was talking to and couldn’t. He ended the conversation with something I would do anything to unhear. Apparently, Easton told him he was just trying to comfort me because I was sad about the spray paint, that our kiss was nothing.

A charity case, that’s what I am to Easton.

A sad, pathetic girl, who can’t stop obsessing over being called a slut.

I hate him.

And I hate this school.

I wish this locker would just swallow me as I stand in front of it, staring at my books, unable to even think of which ones I need.

“I was hoping you were going to come in today,” Sadie says as she leans into the locker beside mine, making me jump, I’m so deep in my thoughts. “You didn’t return my text this morning, so I figured you had your mom call you in sick.”

I didn’t return Easton’s either when he sent one late last night.

He’s a lunatic for thinking I would even consider texting him back.

her to, but she

or she would come home early from their trip and take me to the doctor. I didn’t want her

her arm around my shoulders, waiting for me to close my locker, and walks me down the hallway. “Easton is an asshole, we

at her. “Please. I need

toward Blake as he rounds the corner, heading

my heart. “We both

about his long, thick, silky hair, and how he twists it on top

my best friend. “This is the

going to deny being

buts,” I tell her as

“I came to your room last night before your brother kicked us out. I wanted to talk to

smart enough to lock

enough not to

a conversation and

was so tired,” I lie. “And that question you asked me when I was in the doorway of my room “I take a breath,

he wouldn’t have liked my answer. Easton

hairs behind my ear.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

stares at me, then says, “I’m going to find out who’s been doing the spray painting. I’m

that’s sexy,” Sadie

my eyes at how horny she is, but I can’t, someone behind Blake has caught

sight of him makes me want to

and I’m already

as he realizes who I’m

he has

to

sense Easton approaching, he turns toward him, muttering between his teeth, “Don’t even look at that fucking loser. He’s just jealous of us.” His arm possessively goes around my shoulders, putting me in a

Blake and says, “Do

that

His cologne.

Shampoo.

Even his body wash.

close, my heart shattering as my lungs

want you to keep walking and leave us the hell alone.