This Broken Beautiful Thing...

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

I hear the bell of the door go off and I hear a bunch of rowdy guys coming in laughing and joking. I try to scoff down as much food as I can quickly so I can get out of here, I don’t look up to see who the guys are and it’s unlikely I know any of them but I’d rather be alone than in this noisy Diner.

I keep my eyes on my food and ignore the noise as it gets closer toward where I’m sitting in the back corner.

“Harley? Is that you?” I hear a familiar voice. I freeze hoping if I ignore them they will get the picture and leave.

I can feel them coming closer as I see their shoes in my line of vision. I slowly raise my eyes and look at them.

I don’t get a chance to respond as I’m being lifted into large warm arms, I squeal as he pulls me from my chair making it scrape against the floor.

“Oh my God, I was so worried about you.” He lets out a deep breathe, “I tried calling a couple of times but you didn’t answer.” Brent says as he finally puts me down and looks at me almost inspecting me.

“Brent…I hardly answer anyone’s calls these days. What are you doing here already? Your semester starts in a couple weeks?” I ask him as I sit back down and he sits opposite me taking a fry off my plate and eating it, I just shake my head and smile. Typical Brent…

“I came up early to stay with my cousins, wanted to check things out and all. The best parties are before college starts.” He winks at me, then his expression falters, “Wait, what do you mean your semester?” he raises his eyebrow.

“I pulled out of attending full time; I decided to study through correspondence. No big deal.” I say taking a sip of my Coke.

“Yeah... Harley it is a big deal, you won’t get to enjoy all things the College has to offer , you are going to miss out on so much.” He says sadly.

“Brent, things have changed, now I have more responsibilities and I have to do things on my own, before when I was with…him…things were easier but now that I’m not, this…this is the way it has to be. This is what’s best for me.” I try my best to give him a smile but it doesn’t quite reach my lips. I can’t eat anymore, apart from being fill, I've lost my appetite. I push my plate away.

He looks at me genuinely, and then places his large rough hand on top of mine, I tense and look up at him.

“Have you been crying?” he says softly.

“No.” I say pulling my hand away trying to avoid his gaze.

“You are a terrible liar babe, how have you been? How are you doing?” he says in a caring tone.

“I’ve been better…but I’m getting there. It’s funny how when you think things are finally looking up and you think you can lose those crutches that’s been keeping you up , something gets in the way , trips you and you fall a few more steps back but yeah…I’m getting there.” I say out loud thinking more to myself than him.

He’s quiet but looking at me with sad eyes. “You are so strong Harley, you don’t deserve what he did. He never deserved you babe, you can do so much better. I can’t believe he did that to you….you’re perfect.” He runs his hand through his thick messy blond hair and whispers the last bit as if not wanting me to hear it.

“If it makes you feel better he hasn’t been himself since you left that night. After your accident, he kept blaming himself, he wanted to see you and speak to you, try explain to you why-“

I interrupt him, “Brent…no…I don’t want to hear this, I don’t want to speak about him or hear anything about him. I just want to forget him and that night. Please.” I beg him.