Damaged Love

Chapter One

Chapter One

I adjusted the camera lens to focus on the water, beautifully reflecting the sunset. I leaned against the metal ramp in front of me, the cool breeze blowing against my face. I smelled the sea salt in the air. For just a moment, I felt at peace, but just for a moment.

"Cliché, isn't it?" I took the photo and gave the camera back to Kona. He looked at the picture on the screen and smiled.

"There's nothing cliché about liking a beautiful thing. It's human nature; it's good for the soul."

"Taking pictures of sunsets is good for the soul? You're so—"

"Cheesy? Sentimental?" he chuckled.

I shrugged and said, "I don't know. Maybe a little bit of both."

"Call it what you want, but admit it. Today made you happy."

"I'm not sure if I know what that means anymore."

"You can feel this way all the time if you choose to be. I hope you know that."

"I—" My phone vibrated.

The screen read, where the fuck are you? I just got home, and you're not here.

"Who's that, Wesley?"

"Kona, I have to go. I'm sorry; I really did have a nice time."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"Please, just stop. I do have to go, though. Wesley's been really weird lately."

"Weird, how?" he replied.

"He's just been getting really mad. I need to hurry. Last time, he nearly broke a vase."

"A vase? Mia I don't think—"

"Kona, I really do have to go now."

"Alright, take care of yourself. I'm always here if you need anything. You know where to find me," he said.

I nodded and ran to where my car was parked. I quickly hopped into my black Nissan, stabbed my key into the ignition, and drove off like a NASCAR driver. Thirty minutes later, I pulled into the parking spot of 17B, my allotted space. I ran up the flight of stairs, leading to the apartment that I shared with my boyfriend of two years.

I walked through the door and Wesley slammed it shut. He cornered me, forcing me against the wall. His hands were pressed firmly against my shoulders. He clenched his teeth.

"Max said that he saw you with Kona." Max was Wesley's best friend; they met in the seventh grade, and they've been friends for about thirteen years now. He didn't like me because I, apparently, had the same name as this girl who dumped him his senior year of high school. He had a bitter resentment against Mia's.

"So what? I've known Kona since freshman year of high school. I've known him longer than you. And Max is stupid; he never liked me."

"Did you just call my best friend stupid?"

"Yeah, I did. Now, I don't understand why you've been acting this way. What's gotten into you lately?" I shoved him off of me.

"What do you mean?" He crossed his arms, narrowing his gaze.

"You've been controlling my every move, always questioning who I'm with and where I am. And if I'm not home when you are, you totally freak out. You don't own me," I argued. "I told you I was going to be hanging out with Kona. You would know that if you actually paid attention this morning."

"Mia, I'm warning you."

"You're warning me?" I crossed my arms, mimicking Wesley's gestures. I decided I'd had enough of his attitude for the night and just wanted to walk away. I shoved past him, but he grabbed my arm.