Hearts Quick to Burn

V.

I let myself fall on the bed desperately, my mind rushing with a million of questions.

Why?

Why now and not earlier when I needed her? Why did she come back when I was finally getting better without her?

I took the little piece of paper Lana gave me and I tapped the number on my phone to send her a text.

me: good night Lana

I sighed, taking off my clothes, staying in underwear as I got into the bedsheets.

Lana: Sleep well Grace – don't catch a cold x

...

I tried to leave early in the morning to avoid seeing Lana again. That didn't happen – and I was still disappointed.

I arrived at the landing of the stairs of my apartment and saw Henley sitting in front of my door.

What the hell.

"What are you doing here, aren't you at work?" I tried to ask in a calm voice.

"I said I was sick," He replied as he stood up. "I need to talk to you."

I nodded, walking to my door to unlock it. I motioned for him to come in and closed behind him. I leaned against the doorframe, looking at him.

"What do you wanted to talk about?" I asked, getting bored as the seconds were passing.

He stayed silent for a long time, choosing his words, I guess.

"Why do you act like a bitch going I don't know where just because we barely argued?!"

At first, the words got stuck in my throat. He never talked to me like that so the first thing I felt was surprise. Then, I felt mad.

I already had to deal with that in the past and didn't want him to be just like any other guy I dated before.

"Why do I act like a bitch? You're the one who's acting like an asshole. I'm not the one who ran away because you didn't want to make out with me."

He rolled his eyes at me and got closer to me – too close to me. Like he was about to slap me like others did.

But he just leaned his arm close to my head.

"Get out of here," He ordered with anger in his voice.

"What? You said you needed to talk to me," I responded, maybe too confidently.

He frowned, his face traits turning aggressive. I had never seen him looking like this.

"I don't need to talk anymore," He replied as he took one step back.

"But we didn't resolve the pro-"

His hand slapped against my cheek violently, making me move away from the door that he immediately opened and slammed, leaving me alone with mixed feelings.

I sat on the ground, burying my face in my knees.

He only slapped me I still felt heartbroken. I thought he was perfect and would never do that, but I guess I was wrong the whole time. In fact, I didn't know him that much. Three months is nothing.

I tried not to cry and poured myself a glass of water.

A notification popped up on my phone screen as soon as I picked up my glass.

Lana: So, you're all good? Didn't catch a cold?

It really wasn't the right time to receive a text, especially from her. I didn't want to talk, but I was still relieved she cared enough to text me.

me: no i'm fine, thank you

Lana: Alright, I didn't want you to get sick or something - I'm glad you're fine.

I left her on seen and turned off my phone. But she texted me again one hour later.

Lana: Are you okay??

Lana: And you want to talk about it or not?

Lana: Are you mad at me for something?

me: i'm fine but yeah i'm mad at you it just isn't the reason of my bad mood rn

Lana: If you're mad at me for the thing I'm thinking about, why didn't you text me on Facebook or something after what happened between us? You could've found my account easily

me: let's just talk about it another day, i'm busy

Lana: Ok... Have a good day tho

...

As the day passed my anger left, leaving me with regret. I hated myself for how I talked to Lana. What happened with Henley wasn't even a big deal. I had just been mean for no reason.

I wanted to make it up to her but I was too guilty to text her.

Someone knocked at my door, and when I opened it I saw Henley, standing with a big bouquet of red roses in his hands, a face full of regret.

I felt even worse.

I had been overreacting, again. Of course he didn't mean to hurt me, I was so stupid.

"Henley," I whispered as he put the bouquet in my hands, bringing it against my chest. He didn't dare to look at me but when our eyes met he held the eye contact.

It felt like he was honest. He was really regretting what happened.

"You didn't have to," I whispered again. I was surprised he was apologising so fast.

"I did. You're right, I've been an asshole. The whole fucking time. Work drives me crazy, so... I'm really sorry, Grace. I want to make it up to you."

He wanted to make it up to me, just like I wanted to make it up to Lana. I guess we both screwed up.

"Don't worry about it Henley, I overreacted. I know you work hard and I am not going through the same things as you so I can't blame you."

I let him take me in his arms, leaning my head on his chest silently, listening to the sound of his breathing. I was holding the bouquet tightly, surrounded by his scent. He smelled really good, as usual: not the kind of perfume like most men, just a sweet perfume and a slight scent of cinnamon.

I didn't want to let him go just yet. What happened was just a little fight.

————————————