Chapter 16

Harley I close my eyes as Ina falls asleep, but every time I close my eyes, her face pops up in my head. How do you sleep when you feel your chest caving in? I spend hours just listening to her breathe as I hold her. I open my eyes to watch her sleeping face. She looks so peaceful and beautiful, my angel. I would have fought harder if she gave me any indication that she felt the same way that I do. I would have said to hell with our parents, marched into that house, and told them we would be together whether they liked it or not. But all she feels is a sexual attraction. I guess I was too busy falling to notice she was not falling for me. My heart hurts, but there is something I need to say before I can let go. I wish you were awake to hear them, my love. “I like you. I want you. I need you because I fell for you the moment I met you,” I say out loud. I know she can’t hear me, but it makes my heart feel lighter just saying it out loud. She believes we can fall in love with other people. I sigh as I take her hand and kiss it before placing it over my heart. It is probably too late for me; my heart already belongs to her. I close my eyes with her hands still on my heart as I listen to her sleep. ***** The sound of birds chirping stirs me from my sleep. I open my eyes slowly. When did I fall asleep? I glance at the other side of the bed– it’s now empty. I smile softly as the feeling of emptiness takes its place in my heart. This is what it will be like from now, so I better get used to it. I sigh before grabbing my phone and checking the time. Damn. It’s noon, and I should get up. I hop out of bed, head to the bathroom, and quickly brush my teeth. The maids always ensure that the treehouse is stocked since I sleep here sometimes whenever I’m home. I look at my saddened eyes as I wash my face and sigh again. I guess I deserve a broken heart after all the girls I’ve played. I figured one day, some woman would come in and wreck my heart, but I never thought it would be so soon. After drying my face, I take one final look in the mirror, head out of the treehouse and make my way back to the house. As I get close to the kitchen door, she pops in my head again. What will it be like to see her after she broke my heart? How do you act? I know she wants us to be friends, but I don’t know if I can do that because I want to kiss her senselessly whenever I see her. I groan as I get closer to the door but stop suddenly when I hear laughing. I recoil, feeling as if I’ve been hit by a ton of bricks. How can she be happy right now when I’m so devastated? I chuckle bitterly; right, she never had feelings for me. I clench my fist and continue walking. I pull the door open and enter the kitchen. “Luffy is cool and all, but I’m attracted to a rubber man. Zoro is bae; that’s my husband,” she says, grinning while covered in flour. Standing next to her is the guy she was with last night from the party. They are both in their bubble and do not notice my presence. “You are tripping. Luffy is the star. How is Zoro...” the guy says. “He uses his mouth to hold his third sword. That is all the evidence I need,” she replies, stirring the batter. “It seems like you want to hide the fourth sword,” the guy responds cheekily, she looks up and gasps, and that’s when our eyes meet. She averts her eyes and mumbles a quiet hi to me before returning to her mixing. Chanson looks around, confused until he spots me. “Harley, my man. I was teaching your sis about anime. Since she only watches to lust after the male characters.” He laughs and walks over to me. I finally realize where I know him from. We went to high school together. I scowl as I look at the two of them. My, does she move on quickly. “Lol teaching? As if I know more than you. Plus, what is wrong with lusting? Are you saying you do not have a Waifu?” “I plead the fifth.” They both laugh as if I’m not there. I clear my throat, making her go quiet, her head again down, staring in the bowl. Good, at least she has some shame. “Good afternoon sis, I thought you were dating Tron, but it’s Chanson now?” I scoff; my voice is laced with vinegar. I’m hurt, and here she is, having a grand ole time playing the field. “Good afternoon Harley. Chanson and I are friends. He is here to borrow the latest One Piece movie.” She finally looks up at me, but I prefer if she keeps her head down because I see none of the pain I’m feeling reflecting in her brown eyes. She looks fine, just perfectly content breaking my heart and shit. “Isn’t that nice?” I scoff, feeling very bitter. “Are you ok?” she asks softly, her eyes filled with pity. I don’t need your pity, I declare in my mind. “Not as great as you clearly, but I’ll be fucking fine.” Chanson looks at us, confused. She winces a little but shakes it off and smiles, nodding before returning her attention to Chanson. “Chanson, hand me that tin over there.” I clench my fist, mad at myself because even though she broke my heart, all I want to do is press her up against a wall and kiss her until she falls in love with me. But I can’t just try to get used to the idea of her being with someone else. I calm a little and decide the best thing to do right now is put some distance between us. I hurry to pass her, but as I move, our skin barely touches, and it sends heat coursing through my body. Fuck, I think as I hurry up the stairs. I will certainly have to maintain my distance if I want to remain sane. I sigh. I only need to do this for the last three weeks of summer until I go back to school.