26. Chapter Twenty Six: Tell Me, Does it Hurt?
***
Present Time...
"Okay, I think it's time you just fast forward to the end because I'm getting bored," he says.
I scowl. "You're the one who asked me."
"Well, now I'm asking you to end it."
"You're fickle," I point out.
"At least I'm not a boring story teller who likes to stretch facts as much as I can."
"I am not a boring story teller."
"Is that what you think?" he chuckles.
I frown.
"Just end it already," he sighs.
*
Seven and a half hours ago...
I stared at the building I used to call home. All I had to do was walk the steps. Ring the doorbell. Nah, it had stopped working. So yeah. Knock the door.
That's all I had to do.
So why did it seem so hard?
I took a deep breath and forced my legs to move.
knock. knock.
It's funny how this place I called home is now...
"Just get in, Luce," I heard his voice.
My heart shouldn't have fluttered. But since when did it start listening to me?
I pushed open the door and there he was. Nate.
A part of me wanted to cry. A part of me wanted to laugh. He never will wear his shirt, will he? Idiot.
"Nate?"
"Luce, help me pack the stuff up, it's so cluttered-" he looked at me. "You're not Luce."
I shook my head.
"Riley..." he sighed.
"Nate. I-"
"What are you doing here?" he looked away.
Why was he never happy to see me?
"I wanted to-"
"Before you start, let me just ask you to leave."
I think my heart just fell to the ground and got crushed.
"Nate. I want-"
"Please leave."
"I don't want to."
He closed his eyes shut. Nate. "You make this hard for me."
"Wha-"
"I have a flight to catch, like you do. And you being here, distracts me. Makes me want to change my plans. Makes me want to change everything."
"Just let me-"
"Riley, you don't get it!" his voice rose. "You never do! I can't be around you. I just can't."
"Why?"
He scoffed. His eyes opened and found me, while he took a slow measured step.
"Riley, this is hard. I'm in love with you." He exhaled. "There I said it."
YOU ARE READING
Vintage Cameras & Arrogant Jerks
Teen Fiction"Its not that hard to not fall for a person" After breaking her step-mom's treasured vintage camera, Riley Hastings has to face the step monster's wrath. Again. Growing sick of all the tantrums and baseless accusations she has to face everyday sinc...
