Seeping Wounds

XXV-Harrison

Harrison,

Dude you don't even have to ask. I want to help in anyway possible. I hope I can, no promises though.

I was wondering something, you wrote to me before about your friend Kayla. How is she doing? Is there anyone to write to her?

As I write this there is a crap load of snow falling. I'm glad, I love snow. Remember how we had a snowball fight that one year and I threw that chuck of ice at you (accidentally), that was quite the nose bleed.

Addison is fine, actually she has started going out with this guy. Nick is on the swim team, he's a nice guy Harrison.

But here's the problem. I know you are (or were) in love with Addison and I think she was heading the same way. I think she was falling for you. I'm not saying that it's your fault for what happened but you need to fight for her.

I like Nick, I really do but he and Addison are really just good friends. I'm not sure if it really came down to it they would choose each other.

Harrison I know you were afraid of her getting hurt but you can't be afraid anymore. When you come home I want you to have decided what will make you the happiest: being with Addison or being without her.

I don't know what your life is like right now but I can see that you and Addison would be perfect together. Please don't throw away the chance to make both of you happy.

Mia

I stare at the email. Mia knows that I'm in love with Addison. She's okay with it. Addison has a boyfriend.

Addison has a boyfriend.

Addison has a boyfriend.

Addison has a boyfriend.

That's it then, Addison will never choose me. She isn't the kind of girl who would dump a guy for someone else. She wouldn't change who she is just for me.

Mia said that she wasn't sure they were going to work out but that doesn't matter. Addison has chosen someone else. She will never choose me.

For some reason I print out her email. I don't know why, I tuck it in my pocket and log off the computer.

Leaving the room I go to find Kayla or Sydney. They both have been wanting me to tell Addison how I feel, what would they say to this? Addison could never care about me.

"Harrison?"

I turn to find both Kayla and Sydney behind me. They have become friends the last few weeks, Sydney has become very protective of Kayla. I'm glad because it gives her something to think about.

I press my back against the wall and slide down it. I put my head in my hands and whisper, "You were wrong. Both of you."

Kayla sits on one side of me and Sydney on the other.

Pulling the email from my pocket I ball it up and throw it at the wall.

Sydney is the one who goes to retrieve it. She comes back and smooths out the paper, I know she is reading it and I know she is going to give it to Kayla to read. This is good, then I won't have to explain it to them. I won't have to tell them.

Why do people ever want to fall in love? It tears your heart out and hacks it apart with a machete, a blunt machete. Why did I have to fall in love with the girl that I almost killed? Why did I have to fall in love at all?

"Harrison." Kayla says gently, "If what your cousin says is true then Addison can feel the same, it isn't over."

I grip my hair with my hands, "You don't get it. She wouldn't leave this guy for me, she would see it as dishonorable. She wouldn't change her beliefs or values for me."