The player and the shy girl (english version)

Fractured Words

I open my eyes as the sun has already filled the room with light. I look around, remembering that I'm at Luc's place. I get up and head to the bathroom.

After I'm done, I walk to the living room and see Lucas sitting on the couch. He looks at me and stands up.

"Good morning, Emma."

"Good morning," I reply dryly and head to the kitchen to drink a glass of water.

He watches me and sighs.

"Can we talk, please?" he asks, moving closer.

I glance at him. "I don't think there's anything left to say."

I put the glass down and push past him.

Lucas's mom comes down the stairs and looks at us.

"Good morning, my dears!"

"Good morning," I reply with a smile.

"How did you sleep, sweetheart?"

"Just fine," I answer, not wanting to mention the issue from yesterday with Lucas.

"Did you unpack your things?"

"Not yet," I say as I walk back to my room. I really don't want to see his face right now—it annoys me. I decide to go for a run instead.

I open my bag and start putting my clothes in the closet.

There's a knock on the door, and after a few seconds, it opens. It's Lucas. I glance at him but continue putting my clothes away.

"What do you want?" I ask without looking at him, knowing this would irritate him. I did it on purpose.

"Are you hungry?"

"No," I reply indifferently.

"Don't you want to eat?"

"I don't have time. I'm going for a run."

"Since when do you run?"

"Since now, so I don't have to be around you all the time."

He exhales heavily, closes the door, and steps inside.

"I don't remember inviting you in," I say, throwing a piece of clothing back on the bed while staring at him.

"Can you listen to me for a second, dammit?" he says, grabbing my wrist.

I look at his hand and then at him.

"Let go of me," I say angrily, glaring at him. I've never been this mad in my life.

He releases me and stares at me. "STOP SAYING YOU'RE A BURDEN!"

I smile sarcastically. "I NEVER SAID THAT. YOU DID."

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT, AND YOU KNOW THAT!" he shouts, and I can see his anger rising.

It's funny—he's the one getting angry when it should be me.

"Maybe I misheard then, and you didn't say it after all," I say, picking up another shirt and putting it in the closet.

"I know exactly what I said, and you know I didn't mean it! Stop pushing me!"

"At least you're admitting it. I'm glad you're not calling me crazy, because that's the only thing you haven't done yet."

"SHUT UP! What more do you want from me?"

"Nothing. I think we made that clear yesterday. I'm done with you," I say firmly, looking him straight in the eyes.

"And if you don't mind, could you leave? I need to get dressed. Thanks," I add, smiling sarcastically.

He glares at me, then storms to the door, slamming it shut as he leaves the room.

POV: LUCAS

WHY DO ALL GIRLS LEAVE AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE? DAMMIT...

I'm so pissed off right now. What more does she want me to say?

If she wants to pretend we're just acquaintances, fine. I'll do the same. I won't chase after her like a fool.

I storm out of the room, trying to calm my anger. I have no idea how I didn't explode at her.

"Did you two fight again?" my mom asks.

"Leave me alone, Mom."

She looks at me.

"Why are you making it so hard on yourselves?" she asks.

"Making what hard?" I snap back.

"You two are always fighting like a couple."

"Mom, just drop it," I say, and she watches me carefully.

"What did you do?" she asks.

"Why does it always have to be my fault?" I reply, raising my voice slightly.

She raises an eyebrow.

"You women are so strange," I say, practically yelling now.

"Say what you want," she replies, shaking her head.

"Leave it alone, Mom. I don't want to talk about it. She can do whatever she wants..."

"Don't say that, because you might regret it later, and you know it," she warns.

"Well, if she's going to act that way, so will I," I reply, frustrated.

"I'm just saying, it's not a good idea."

She walks away, leaving me with my thoughts.

How can I explain things to her if she won't even listen? Of course I don't see her as a burden...

But if I tell her I don't want to tell our friends about our relationship, she'll lose it. She won't talk to me or, worse, she'll ignore me even more than she already is.

She'll never understand why I want to keep it quiet.