Queen of my Heart

17

IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HATED ME.

First, Shane and I lost each other for years, then I totally bunked college. Then I had to meet Shane all over again, with his band mates, and be caught in a totally not-bestfriendly position on his bed.

Not to mention I was supposed to be with Bryan.

Shane and I sprang up, looking anywhere but at each other. I tried my best at fixing myself, as did he. The last few minutes have been a mistake, and now we were going to pay for it.

"Coming, love," he called out to Gillian as he crossed the room, opening the door.

Maybe it wasn't the world who hated me.

Maybe it was me who hated the world.

Gillian took one look around the room, at Shane's guilt-striken face, and at my pathetic figure slumped on his bed with tear-stained cheeks and immediately frowned. "I walked in on a particular moment, didn't I?"

You could say that, I wanted to snigger, but fear and panic clawed at my insides, leaving me speechless.

I created this monster.

Shane cleared his throat, glancing at me. Surely he wouldn't pin this on me, would he?

"Juliet and I were just talking."

Gillian raised a brow. "Looks like you two were having a heated conversation though."

Her statement reminded me of the way Shane's hands caressed my skin, leaving me all hot and bothered. "Heated indeed," I said as I stood up, glaring at my best friend. "I think I will go now."

I didn't wait for either of them to answer and just ran out of the room, my heart hammering in my chest. Tears sprang up in my eyes, and it took all my willpower not to break down outside his room.

"What's wrong, babe?" I heard Gillian ask on the other side of the door.

"I'm just stressed, dear," came Shane's response.

Even I could feel her flirtatious smile as she purred, "Let me help you with that real quick."

I fled completely, my tears coming down in furious streaks. Behind that door, Gillian will kiss him. Behind that door, the two of them will do unimaginable things and I won't be able to stop it—because I shouldn't. Because I can't. Because Shane is not mine and will never be.

I thought nothing could be worse than this, seeing as my heart already felt like it's being torn apart slowly by a fork, but then I saw Bryan getting up from the sofa, looking worried and distressed.

I felt a hundred times more horrible.

"Juliet," he breathed out as he strode to my direction, taking me in his arms with no question.

I vaguely noticed the rest of the lads getting up and going to the kitchen to give us privacy. "I'm sorry," I sobbed into his linen shirt, fisting the fabric tightly.

I can't believe this. I can't bloody believe how painful it was to breathe.

Bryan rubbed my back. "Calm down, baby. We can talk about it once you calmed down."