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.

doesn't take sides. It simply exists and you live in it because on those good days,

one more second without that person holding your hand and standing

each other, you'll get through it, fight for it, and come out on the

claps her hands.

burst into tears again. "I'm sorry, I'm just so emotional

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

with Aisha still feel like a true crime story ready to unravel

tilts her head. "Blake seemed extra friendly today. Wanna

"He was

because honestly everyone else

"Was he nice?"

Blake, I mean, since all

We had

it at least distracted me for nearly an hour, which I totally

still

"Yeah."

that I'm back to wondering what exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't know. Either way, it

"Blake?"

to my laptop and open

sounds at my

lets himself in. "Hey, beautiful, mind if I borrow you real

kisses Sadie on

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

blah, blah,

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

my eyes.

“Anytime.”

of my room, leaving me alone with my laptop and all

take a deep breath and get on

And then I type.

we need to

I overreacted or if I'm just letting life kick my ass, but I miss you. I don't want

how things got so complicated so fast, but... can't text you, so I at least thought I could email and let you know that no

And I'm still yours.