Broken Strings

Truth Betold

Peter’s eyes widened as he read. I couldn’t seem to open the cover to Peter’s diary. Guilt racked through my body as I fiddled with the leather binding. “’Lee? Are you okay?” he set my diary down.

“No, I need to tell you something. When you went for a shower this morning I pulled a pencil from your backpack. You’re diary fell out and I saw something,” Peter’s cheeks flushed red.

“What was it?”

“Amelia. She’s so down to earth. She’s funny, smart and I think I’m falling for her. This crush is surely crushing me.” I recited the words I’d been replaying through my brain all day. Peter stayed silent. “I’m so sorry, you must know I didn’t mean it, it was an accident,” I pleaded with him.

“It’s okay, I’m glad.” Glad? “There is no way I could say what I was feeling aloud and if you didn’t read that this morning this moment wouldn’t be happening.”

“So you’re glad,” I repeated.

“Do you still want to go through with this?” I nodded and hesitantly slumped on the ground, my back pressed heavily against the wall. Peter sat crossed legged on the bed, his head buried in my diary. I felt exposed but I liked it. I was exposed to someone I trusted, someone I loved. “You have beautiful handwriting,” he complimented me.

“Thank you.” I looked down to his diary. My hands shook as I opened the cover. The date was set back to last year. I got the feeling I was about to learn more about Peter than even he remembers.

“This new town isn’t for me at all. Nicole’s ghost still haunts me and just when I think I’ve gotten over her I remember one of the few happy memories we shared as a couple.” Peter’s words were so sincere. I flipped the page until I found a recent date.

“Another town. My Father used the electrical cord last night, just a new painting hung on the gallery called my body. The bruise is dark and evident although doesn’t hurt as much as the metal pole.” I couldn’t help but gasp. How could someone hurt their own flesh and blood?

I flipped the page again, “My first day of school was certainly one for the history books. I think I may have made a friend. Amelia is her name. She’s kind, sincere and quite pretty.”

Another page. “Amelia and I shared a class today, it was quite something. She even agreed to attend the school dance with me, hopefully I don’t find myself with two left feet.”

“I just received a call. Amelia is running away. There was no explanation and so I believe it is quite serious. I am going with her. Yes, the decision may be regretted further down the track but let’s hope this might bring happiness for the both of us.”  This must have been written after the call and before I arrived. I felt hot tears well in my eyes and I fought against them. I flipped the page until I stumbled upon an entry I recognised.

“As much as I would like to deny it I am falling for this girl. It’s killing me to know that my stupid heart might be the thing that ruins what we share. I cannot tell her, that would be irrational. She must not know. This could be the end of our friendship if it gets out, but I don’t know how I am going to overcome it. Amelia. She’s so down to earth. She’s funny, smart and I think I’m falling for her. This crush is surely crushing me.” And that was it. The paragraph I’d been so on edge to see. When reality hit me I realised I had tears flooding my cheeks. I wiped them away as Peter stood from the bed and offered me a hand.

“Confronting?” he asked.

“Yes. How about you?”

“I didn’t realise you felt like this, if I did I would have…” he was lost for words, “I don’t know. I would have said something.” Peter picked up my diary again, opening the page to my most recent entry. “Peter. He is so polite, so kind, and careful. He’s tender, honest, respectful and mature,” he paused, “I feel myself changing when I’m around him. He brings out the best in me. I cannot tell him of course. Our friendship means more to me than anyone will ever know.”

“You read that bit huh?” I chucked slightly, releasing the tension.

“I read it all,” he stopped. My breath caught in my throat. “Do you want to go for a swim?”

“Love one.”

My breath calmed along with my heart rate as I gave it time. In just my underwear I slipped into the pool where Peter waited for me with open arms. The lights lit up the pool just like the night before. Peter didn’t say anything but his eyes said more than any words could have. He dived under the water and I followed him, once again my eyes stinging from the rushing water. He stopped. His body turned in a way I’m sure mine couldn’t. “I love you.” He mouthed.

“I love you,” I mimicked his movements. I saw him rush upward and saw him smooth his hair back as I emerged.  He inched closer to me, every movement setting my heart on fire. His body pressed against mine as his lips hovered above mine. His tall frame sunk in the water slightly until he was level with me.

“’Lee?”

“Mm?” I mumbled unable to form a full sentence.

“Can I kiss you?” his lips still hovered above mine occasionally brushing against them by accident.

“Yes,” I breathed. His lips didn’t crash onto mine like you see in the movies but they certainly knocked the breath from me. They were soft yet still firm. His hands wrapped themselves around my waist and he let a slight moan escape his mouth before readjusting himself and pulling away from me.

“Thank you,” he breathed. I couldn’t say anything, my mind was jumbled and my body shook with happiness. “’Lee? Do you mind if I kiss you again?” I didn’t bother to try and string two sentences together, I just pressed my lips to his and embraced in his warmth.

“I love you,” I mumbled.

“I love you,” he hummed, staring deeply into my eyes. “I love you so much.”

Well I'm sorry for leaving you on such a cliff-hanger in 'On Edge'. I hope this chapter fulfilled the image you hoped would evolve. I bet you all saw it coming, hope your enjoying it! Love you all! xxx