Three Entangled Hearts

Chapter 8 - Invisible

"What are you on about?" Annie laughs, as I see Ty standing a few feet behind her.

"It's true." Ty clears his throat, walking over to us. Annie looks like she might pass out.

"I do really like you, Annie. But I also like Jess." He says, and all the colour drains from my face.

"I don't know what to do about it. Because I care so much for both of you, and would hate to hurt you. Even though I know I've let you both down." Ty says, as I sit down on a nearby bench.

My head feels dizzy. I can't think straight. There's too much going on, and my heart can't seem to catch up with my brain.

"Yes. You have let us down. So many times. Like how you treated Jess after your kiss. That was really cruel." Annie's voice is sharp and loud. My head whips up at the mention of my name.

"And I feel horrible-" Ty starts to say.

"No! You don't get to speak yet. It's my turn. How could you? You played with her feelings! That was mean. And I wish I could say it is unlike you, but I can't say that anymore. You keep playing around with us. You have to just make a choice, or we will make it for you." She is anger and fire, and no one has ever seen her like this before.

"I can't just choose! This is what I'm trying to tell yo-" Ty yells back.

"Oh, come on, Ty! Don't try and act like-" She yells over him. Their voices are so loud, and anger bubbles in my throat.

"Enough!" I yell, silencing them both.

"This is ridiculous. There is no need to be rude." My voice breaks, but I stand my ground.

"We are friends. Why do we have to let this ruin that? We have always been so close." I continue.

"This is more than that Jess, and you know it. We can't have this hanging over our heads for ages, than we will loose our friendship." Annie intercepts, glancing at Ty.

"I love you. But I know that we would fizzle out too fast, and that I'm still heartbroken over Jackson. So I am happy being you're friend. That's how strong my love is for you. Because I value our friendship so much more, that it is all I need us to be." She cries to Ty, as she smiles.

"And Jess, I can see know. How much you like Ty." Annie reaches out and retakes my hand in her own.

"How can one person be so good? How can you be such a brilliant friend?" I ask in amazement of her.

"Just born that way, I guess." She smiles.

"It's complicated between the three of us. But I think it's time for a clean slate. Start over new, and we can all see where we go from there." I smile.

"Before the clean slate, I have to apologise. To both of you. To you, Annie, for never admitting how I feel about you, not being honest, and waiting till it was too late. And Jess, I am so sorry that I acted like that after our kiss. I should have acted maturely and talked to you, but I got spooked and ran." He declares.

"I'm really sorry." Ty finishes, as I smile.

"I forgive you." I say, hugging him.

"Yeah, I guess I kinda forgive you too." Annie says, as Ty laughs, pulling her into the hug.

We stand there for a while. Just the three of us again.

This time, it feels different though. His hand on my back, and his head resting atop my own.

♡♡♡

Weeks have gone by since the day at Wharton's, and we have all been getting back into how it used to be.

Annie, Ty and Jess. Ty, Jess and Annie.

The same, but slightly different. More secure, less resentment. Still as complicated as usual.

"Jess." I hear Ty whisper, as he sits down next to me at the park.

"Ty." I smile, breaking away from my thoughts.

"What were you thinking about?" Ty asks, relaxing back onto the bench.

"World domination." I reply as he laughs loudly.

"Of course." He says quieter.

We sit in silence, and I realise that he has taken my hand in his.

I stare down at our interwoven fingers, and marvel at the fact I didn't even notice. Like instinct or second nature.

"Jess." He says my name different to before. Softer, and harsher at the same time. Patient and desperate.

"Ty." My voice echoes his tone.

He is closer than before. I can feel his other hand against the side of my jaw.

His gorgeously glorious eyes.

His lips, milliseconds away from mine.

I breath out a shaky breath, as he steals away the space between us.

He tastes the same, but this time he doesn't pull away.