SKYLINE HEARTS

CHAPTER TWENTY

A/N: Yoon here! Wow, we're nearing the end of the story. I don't know if I'm ready to let go of this yet. It's too close to my heart, and part of me wants to continue it indefinitely. But I know, I can't. Like all good stories, this has to come to an end. Like me, you all have to prepare for it to end as well. Anyway, with the sappy stuff out of the way, we now welcome our finest student of the Skyline Academy.

HAPPY READING!

~

HARRISON MOORE

I'm not going to tell Aurora. Ever.

Yes, that's what I decided on ever since Skylar disappeared on us and hid at our parents' home. I don't plan on going through what Skylar did. At least, Sky and Wolf weren't friends previously. But Aurora and I...

It was better this way.

"So, never?" Skylar asked as she plopped down on the bed in my room. We were still at Ace's castle here in Sweden. It was barely morning and Sky decided to torment me again about the whole crush fiasco. I lost count after two-hundred-and-eighty-seven-times.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Never."

"Coward," She grumbled.

"It's not cowardice," I defended. "Aurora and I have been best friends for years. When she rejects me, it's going to mess up our friendship dynamic. Things will be awkward, you'll have to pick sides."

"How do you know she'll-"

"You told me," I cut her off. "You told me you saw a hint of affection in her eyes for the three of them. It's clear, Sky. She doesn't see me the way I see her. Why should I go out of my way to ruin my friendship now?"

When Skylar didn't say another word, I continued. "It's just a crush, it'll fade with time. I'm getting better at seeing her with the S-Rankers. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to, and I'm sure by the end, I'll be alright."

"She's my best friend, Sky. I can't lose her over this."

After a moment of silence, Skylar sighed, leaning against the headboard. "What will you tell her when she asks you about your crush again?"

"I'll make up a name this time," I said, almost instantly. "Tell her that this girl rejected me and moved to Italy. I will convince Aurora somehow, and eventually, she'll drop the topic entirely."

Skylar nodded, seemingly agreeing with the idea.

"But you have to promise me," I began. Her gaze met mine. "You won't say a word about this to Aurora. You won't bring it up ever again after this. Got it?"

"She will figure it out," Skylar said. "One more lie on a pile of so many. She's tired of these, Harry. Why are you lying again?"

"It's to protect her."

"Her or you?"

I didn't know. Part of me thought I was protecting her, doing a favor to her by keeping my feelings hidden. She already had so much on her plate, especially after the S-Rankers confessed yesterday. It wasn't the best kind of confession, but at least, Aurora knew they liked her, and she had to make a choice. I was never the choice she would make in the end. So, what was the point of revealing my feelings to her?

But as the train of thought traveled deeper into my subconscious, I realized the person I was protecting was myself. I was protecting myself from getting hurt. The rejection was inevitable. No one had more to lose than me. It was a gamble.

One that I wasn't going to play.

"My decision's final," I said, evading her question. "I will do what I said. You will help me. She doesn't have to know."