"I want to love you again, but I don't know how. Maybe I'm not like the moon. The moon is pure, an incandescent light in the midst of bitter darkness.
I have never been that forgiving."
WARNING: This is Book Three. If you have not read "affluenza"...
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TW// violence ? idk
THE PARTY SEEMED to have fallen into full swing.
There were dozens of people that showed up, ones I recognized and ones I had no clue even existed. Still, it was abundantly clear that Robyn's party turnout had been a success. She was very delighted by this.
I'm assuming, that is. Considering I have spent the past twenty minutes staring at my own reflection in the bathroom, I don't know.
I felt dirty, like the words Roman had thrown at me were permanently stained to my skin, washing away all of the good things he's ever said before. I wondered if my words hurt him this much. I couldn't imagine any more pain than this being possible.
There's a knock on the door. I turn toward it, face flushing. Someone probably thought I had the worst bowel movement of the century. "Just a second," I call out, my voice cracking as I fight back tears.
I stare back at myself, my red-rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks. They would have to do. I push open the door and come face to face with Hayley, her lips pursed in a frown. "B," she starts.
I don't wait to listen. "You lied to me," I spit, voice coming out far too shaky for my liking. "You told me—you told me that he still loved me."
"He does. I didn't lie."
I shake my head, fighting back tears. "He told me, Hayley. He told me that he doesn't love me anymore. God."
"Then he's lying. You hurt him, Braylen," Hayley argues, blue eyes wide and serious. "He's reacting from pain, not from love. Anything he says is just to protect himself."
I scoff. "And what about me?" I hiss, voice rising. "What about my protection? Why is it that all we ever fucking talk about is how I'm hurting him when he's the one who broke me? I have been hurting, Hayley. He got to break my heart and leave but I have been left here this entire time. I have never moved on."
Hayley bites on her bottom lip. "I don't know what to do, Brayls. I just want all of this to be over."
"Me, too," I agree, crossing my arms across my chest. "And it is. He's just ended it."
She doesn't say anything. I run a hand through my hair before stalking past her, our shoulders brushing against one another as my mind runs.
My inference about the party had been correct. Everyone was dancing and enjoying the drinks provided. I was convinced I was the only one here having the most miserable time ever. I was desperate for that to change.
My eyes catch on a moderately familiar face, already looking back at me with half-lidded eyes. Max. A friend of Robyn's from school that I'd met once or twice. After each meeting, Robyn would gush about how attracted to me the man was and subtly encouraged me to go for it. I could never bring myself to see Max as anything more than a casual friend, however, despite his apparent attractiveness. Short brown hair that fell over his forehead in curls, a structured jawline, a perfect Cupid's bow.
