To Capture a Heart ✔️

Chapter 24

Ferris didn't come to college today. I didn't call or text him either. He didn't come see me or message me about what went wrong. I guess this is it. He gave up easily so I will as well. I'm not going to try and fix something that neither of us wants in the first place.

I met up with Christina and Sophia during break and fed them a partial- truth about my whereabouts yesterday. I told them I was with someone but I never specified who and they never asked me to. And now I'm sitting in English next to Sophia, learning about the main mechanics of writing. I look over to Sophia, whose pen is rapidly noting down every word that is leaving the teachers mouth. That's what I love about Sophia, she is the most concentrated, intelligent person I know. Unlike Christina, she cares about her school work and does all of her work to the best of her standards. And I hate that I have to keep such a huge secret from both of my friends, and that I have to hide so much about my life from them because I don't want them to know that my family is breaking. The worst thing is that their lives are not as bad as mine and they have a perfect life with perfect parents and perfect everything. And I won't burden them with all of my problems and secrets.

'Let's go, Kaylee,' Sophia says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

'Eer, yeah.' I quickly pack my things up and follow Sophia out of the classroom.

'Your birthday parties this weekend.' Sophia exclaims, glancing over at me.

'Do you know how many people are invited?' I ask whilst walking out of the building.

'You're gonna have to ask Christina, she did the invitations.'

'Why am I not allowed to know about what you guys are planning?'

Sophia shrugs her shoulders.

'Christina wants it to be a surprise. Just come to her house on Saturday at seven, okay?' Sophia says as we both walk into the canteen and find Christina. As soon as I see her, my breath is knocked from my body. She is standing in the middle of the canteen. Talking to Tyler. Crap. Tyler saw me kiss Ferris, so he could absentmindedly tell Christina what he saw. What am I supposed to do? I watch as Sophia goes and sits at a table, gesturing for me to come over. My feet are glued to the floor as I focus on Christina as her mouth turns to a frown when she looks at me. Oh no.

Tyler walks past me without looking at me, the confidence in his walk radiating off of him. I debate with myself before chasing after him and pulling on his hoodie.

'What?' He mumbles as he spins around, his eyes burning through mine.

'What did you tell her?' I nervously ask, avoiding eye contact.

'What are you talking about?' he asks, still staking his eyes through me.

'Christina... What were you guys talking about?' I question.

'Why?' He moves back a little bit, increasing the awkwardness between us.

'Look, did you tell her what you saw yesterday?' I quickly ask, losing my patience.

Tyler shuffles his feet, staring down at the floor.

'Kaylee... I don't want to talk to you about this, about anything, okay?' He remarks calmly, still glaring at the floor.

'Tyler, I'm sorry that you saw that but you told me that I'd be a loner for the rest of my life and that I'll never make any friends.' I say, taking a step closer to him.

Silence.

'Did you only kiss him to spite me?' He softly asks, glancing up at me.

'Yes,' I admit. 'And I also kissed him because I like him.' I have to tell him the truth; he deserves it.

Tyler's head shoots up, his eyes filled with confusion.

'You like him?' He asks, his hair swishing with the wind. 'Ferris? You like him?'
What do I say to this? I know how much it will hurt him to hear the truth about me and Ferris but I can't lie to everyone in my life about what I want. I want to tell people about our intimate moments and I want to be able to speak greatly about us without people judging me.

'Yes, Tyler. I like him.' I shamelessly say trying to look anywhere except the broken boy in front of me.

'But I thought that... I really thought that...'

'What?' I ask, wondering what's holding him back.

'Nothing, I just... I gotta go.'

'Tyler, what are you not telling me?' I ask as he takes a few steps back.

'Just forget it.' He answers as he turns around, facing his back towards me.

'Please tell me what's going on...' I plead.

'I can't' He whispers, still facing his back towards me.

I ran out of patience, and of calm. If he won't tell me then it's fine. He can hold on to his big secret without any help from me and I won't care.

'Fine. But just know that I gave you the chance to tell me.' And with that, I turn around and re- enter the canteen. My eyes quickly find Christina and I see her staring at me. Cautiously, I approach her, no sense of betrayal seeping off of her.

'Did you ask him?' She asks, ripping her eyes away from mine when I reach her.

'Ask him what?' I question.

'To come to the party! I asked him and he said no.'

'Is that what you're so upset about?' I quickly blurt out, relief taking over.

'Yeah, it's so obvious he likes you, and I know you're a sucker for the good ones so I really wanted him to come.'

I jump at my defense.

'I do not like him! And he does not like me because he was being a dick to me yesterday.'

'Guys are assholes with girls, I should know.' I see the embarrassment flash through her eyes as she recalls her most recent heartbreak cast by the guy that I'm falling for.

'All I'm trying to say is, don't make the same mistakes I did by letting the wrong people into your life and don't let them ruin you. Because I guarantee you, they won't stop until you're six feet under.'

I'm moved by Christina's words but I can't help but wonder, what if I already let the wrong person in?