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.

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

imagine breathing one more second without that person holding your hand

while this all sucks, I know if you really love each other, you'll get through it, fight for it, and come out on the

claps her hands. “He's

into tears again.

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

with Aisha still feel like a true crime story ready to

tilts her head. "Blake

shrug. "He was pretty tame.

everyone else was pairing up

"Was he nice?"

fingernails. "For Blake, I mean, since

We had

barely flirted and it at least distracted me for nearly

"I still

"Yeah."

back to wondering what exactly is off because I can't put my finger on it. "Maybe. I don't

"Blake?"

then rush to my laptop and open it. "Let

sounds at my door.

in. "Hey, beautiful, mind if

kisses Sadie

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

listen to the reason. Yes, I knew, blah, blah, blah, you all want to murder

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

fill my eyes.

“Anytime.”

grabs Sadie's arm and pulls her out of my room, leaving me alone

breath

And then I type.

we need

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

can't text you, so I at least thought I could email and let you know that no matter what, right now, in this

And I'm still yours.