Heartstrings ✓

Chapter Three

Mallory

After Brent assaulted me in the alleyway, I ignored him for a week. He opened my eyes to the violence in our relationship. Brent blindsided me for long enough. While my clarity would likely last a week at most, I was determined to free myself from my boyfriend's vice.

When Brent started emotionally abusing me in our relationship, it was easy for me to excuse his behavior. He was going through a difficult time so he would change eventually. But this was beyond excuses. He hit me. Even if it wasn't with his own hands, he was so angry that he tried to cause physical harm to me.

I tried to distance myself from Reid. I was scared of how much he cared about me in such a short time.Barely a few days into our friendship, he texted me frequently to check on me. I replied as succinctly as I could. It was only a week since I met Reid, but he was already so caring.

Yesterday, I realised that my guilt didn't matter. I liked Reid, even if we were just going to be friends. I was doing nothing wrong.

So I texted Reid, asked him if he wanted to get a coffee. Reid said yes, and that he was happy I'd asked him. Reid's complete transparency with his emotions wasn't familiar to me. He bore his heart open to whoever wanted it. Reid was unusual, in a busy city like ours where people needed to be selfish to extricate what they wanted from their lives. He gave without anyone asking him to.

I waited anxiously in the coffee shop, staring at the bright sunshine outside. Sunny weather always made me feel better.

"Hey."

I looked up at Reid, unable to stop my smile as he drew out his chair. There was a matching broad grin on his own face. "Hi. It's been a while." I offered.

"Too long a while." Reid joked, stretching out his long legs. He nudged the blocky heel of my sandal with his sneaker, and a laugh escaped me. He chuckled with me, pushing his hair back with his hand. "How are you? What's been going on in your life?"

I inhaled shakily and clasped my hands together, wondering how to frame my problems to Reid. "A lot. Most of it bad."

"You can tell me." Reid said, looking at me with concern. His brown eyes pierced into mine intently. He was unrelenting against my crumbling façades. I should've known better.

I swallowed lightly. "You know how I was dating Brent?"

"Of course." Was I imagining the bitter edge to his voice?

"I think we're going to break up." I said. My voice came out smaller and quieter than I anticipated.

Reid straightened in his chair, his expression sobering. "I didn't know."

I covered up my pain with another laugh. I lowered my eyes to cover up the tears filming my eyes. "Yeah, it's not something I've been advertising. But I felt like you should know." I looked up at him again. Reid looked worried for me, and I softened. "You've been kind to me, Reid. Cleo and Kennedy supported me too, but you've been my rock through this. I don't know how to thank you."

"Just because I was thinking of you?" Reid said comfortingly. "Mallory, don't be silly. You're my best friend." I tried to ignore the pang in my heart as Reid affirmed my worst thoughts. "You always will be."

He leaned closer, asking me a question with his eyes. I nodded, and he moved closer, cautiously cupping my cheek in his hand. He stroked his thumb along the line of my cheekbone soothingly.

It took me all my strength to not put my hand over his. I breathed in and closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of his presence. Reid was warm and comforting, and safe. "I really appreciate you, Reid. Thanks."