Elements: Illusions of Revenge (Book 2)

Unlikely I Was Going To Take This Well (Chapter 33)

"You looked like you were hurting, and this is where I come to cry."

Xian's face goes back to worry as he messes around with his blue streaks. "That probably came out weird, I'm sorry."

"No, you're fine..." Red's voice trails off. This dude would totally be attractive in Scott's eyes.

"Anyway, are you okay?" Xian frowns, looking at Red with big, brown eyes that resembled Ms. Rose more and more as the seconds pass.

"Not really," Red shrugs, trying to fix his crying face but it wasn't going well. "Can't believe I'm meeting Ms. Rose's son while I was crying..."

"Haha, it's no worries," Xian laughs. "Here, use this." He hands Red a tissue and Red gladly takes it to fix himself up.

"You were clutching your heart before you bumped into me," Xian remembers. "I know I just met you but it might help to talk about it."

"Well, I guess I'm just being a baby but my ex wants to meet up...after she broke up with me and cut off all contact," Red sighs, putting the used tissue into his pocket. "Hell, why now of all times?"

"Ooo," Xian smiles sympathetically. "That's tough. How do you feel about it?"

"Well, hurt for starters," Red focuses on the leaf falling from the bush. It's actually nice to talk about this to someone who isn't angry at her. "Also, I'm angry as hell. I don't want to see her but well, I should at least hear what she has to say."

"You don't have too," Xian tells him, shrugging. "I'm sure someone's already told you that."

"Someone did...but I still think I should, even though I feel like I shouldn't," Red groans. "My mind says no but my heart says be the better person..."

"It's really hard when your mind and heart are telling you two different things," Xian sympathizes. "I get it. Why not see if you feel up to it when the time comes? If you don't want to, then don't. If you do, then just do it."

"But I can't just cancel on anyone last minute," Red argues. "It's rude, not to mention petty."

"So what? I bet she won't even care if she hurt bad enough for you to walk around clutching your heart," Xian points out. "In fact, you'll be giving her some of her own drug."

"I guess, but I know I'm going to go," Red rubs his temples. "It's just who I am."

"And that's okay," Xian smiles at him and Red couldn't help but smile back. "You don't have to force yourself to do something that isn't you. I'm sure your family agrees."

My family. They do, but they're really worried about me. I don't want them to worry when Wysteria is at hand...but I feel like there's more to it. Was it not a simple breakup...?

"They're just worried for me," Red admits. "They know what happened and hate her for it."

"You've gotta remember they have the right to," Xian reminds him. "Their family got hurt after all. So just explain why you're making the decision, whether it's simple or complex."

"I can't believe it's taking a stranger to get me to my senses," Red chuckles.

"I'm a pretty great stranger then," Xian laughs and Red laughs along. "Well, I'm heading to my mom's. You wanna walk with me?"

"Yeah, sure," Red shrugs. "My family's probably really worried about me."

"Well then, let's not keep them worried," Xian gets up, moves the bushes out of the way and extends his hand to Red with a bright smile. "Let's go."