You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 17 

Harper 

I don‘t know how long I stand outside after Ryan and Easton are gone. All I can do is breathe in and out, in and out, as I mentally replay 

HARTER 

“Don‘t waste your time, Ryan. A little costume doesn‘t hide the fact that it‘s Harper– it also can‘t hide the horrible personality either. Let‘s go shoot some hoops.” 

Maybe if we hadn‘t kissed twice or if he hadn‘t touched me and made me feel the things he did. But, the truth was, even with the costume, 

even with the darkness, that was all me, Harper, the same Harper that Easton just said couldn‘t hide. 

It‘s like he knew exactly what to say and how to say it to make me want to cry until all the tears made my heart feel better. 

“Hey.” The cafeteria doors slam behind Sadie. “What happened? Is Ryan super pissed? Do I need to go talk to him?” 

I remain quiet, not sure how to answer. 

“God, I‘m going to kill him! I refuse to crush on him anymore! You hear that, Ryan?” She starts yelling like he can actually hear her.  

“We‘re through, you little–” 

“Shhh.” I tug on her arm. “Can we just leave?” 

Her eyes widen in shock. “You want to cut class?” 

No, I want to cut Easton , then tell him how badly he‘s cut me, then kiss him and confess everything and wait for him to laugh until he cries. 

That sounds really fun. 

Why is high school the worst? 

legs aren‘t taking me to my locker or to class – no, I‘m

Ryan and Easton

my body and somehow convinced my brain that this is

equipment and cleaner fill the air as the echoing sound of the

are laughing while Sadie, just behind me, quietly tries to grab my arm and pull me

I shrug her off.

when I walk on to the court in my boots and wait for them to notice me. Ryan does first, his expression unreadable, and then there‘s Easton. Beautiful, gorgeous, godlike Easton, with his perfect hair, amazing kissing skills, strong jaw,

I can stop myself, my heart pounding in my chest

crystal blue eyes

To once and for all face him, despite making me want to hurl when I realize I‘m currently

have had is going to be gone in a poof of smoke and even though I don‘t want

just say?” His voice is low, his

I wait for

did your sister suddenly find out

basketball

to laugh. “I was kidding, it‘s kind of refreshing that

he‘ll kick Easton‘s ass if he keeps

both slap him and kiss him simultaneously. “How could I possibly forget?” His eyes roam me up and down. “She‘s like you but

the back of the head with his hand. “Really, bro?”

that stupid grin on his face. “Anything else you need to say, sad twin?”

Sad twin? 

the sad twin?

that will hurt him, but the bell rings, reminding

deal with his guilt and idiocy. And, maybe one day, I‘ll just

Me. Me. Me. 

horrified face when he discovers that the one girl he can‘t have has been standing in front of him all this

struggles to keep up

correct her. “That was necessary.” I want to scream, instead I pretend to be calm as | speed walk toward

her seat in front, and

in front of the