You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 125

Harper

"It would be so much easier if I still didn't feel like shit!"

I throw myself onto my bed as Sadie paces back and forth as if that's going to help the trauma of the day. Why can't things be easier?

I do love him. I do. I just feel betrayed. Hurt.

And exhausted, quite honestly, I could nap for ten days and probably still not feel rested.

Maybe it's the fact that I was so sick and jumped right back into school, the trauma of my mom finding us, or feeling guilty over not telling my parents about the love of my life.

Wow, take your pick.

"He's an asshole,’ she finally says. "Let him sweat it out a bit."

“Would you?"

I ask. "Let Ryan sweat it out?

Or would you communicate?

Hear him out?

Be mature?

I don't even know what I want to do. One minute, I want to run Easton over, the next I want to hold him and never let go.

He's mine, Sadie. Mine. I love him. I just...I don't understand this side of him. The one that's still holding back, the one that's afraid.”

She sighs. “Love is scary, babe. No matter how young or old you are.

It has no prejudices, it is what it is. One day, it cuts you so deep you think you might bleed out, the next day you wonder how you ever lived without that feeling.

it because on those good days, the really good fucking days, you can't imagine

imagine breathing one more second without that person holding your hand and standing by your

each other, you'll get through it, fight for

hands. “He's dead

and then I burst into tears again. "I'm sorry,

I missed school when I was sick, and I feel so much pressure

true crime story ready to unravel

her head. "Blake seemed extra

was

because honestly everyone else was pairing up while I

"Was he nice?"

her fingernails. "For Blake, I mean, since all the

was. We had

flirted and it at least distracted me for nearly an hour, which

nods. "I still think

"Yeah."

what exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way, it was a

"Blake?"

rush to my laptop and open it.

sounds at

in. "Hey, beautiful, mind

Sadie on

shoves him. "Nope, wait, you're friends with the devil.“

to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder me, who runs the world, girls, but for real...he

you. He would never cheat on you. Besides, if he did, I'd cheerfully kill him and go

fill my eyes.

“Anytime.”

and pulls her out of my room, leaving me alone with my laptop and all my dark

a deep breath

And then I type.

I know we

or if I'm just letting life kick my ass, but I miss you. I don't want to break up, I just need some time...but

text you, so I at least thought I

And I'm still yours.