Shattered Love

Chapter 1

"But, don't you love me anymore?", Michael whispered, voice cracking. His obsidian orbs frantically searched mine, trying to find any bit of warmth left in them. Despite everything that has happened between us, I can't deny the spark of electricity that flared within me under the intensity of his gaze.

Heart breaking, I took Michael's warm hands into mine, caressing it just like how he had held my face just moments earlier when I had ended it all.

"Michael, I don't know how to say this. Part of me will always love you...It's just...I have never felt this strongly for someone before. Taylor, he makes me feel like myself, like I can do anything and everything. I'm so, so sorry, I never wanted to hurt you. You are so important to me, can we still be friends?"

"How can you just say that?", Michael cried, his voice escalating to a growl. "Patty, he's my freaking brother! I thought we were finally working things out. I thought that you were different, that you understood what it was like to always live in his shadow, that I had finally found someone who could see me for who I truly am, and not just Taylor's little brother!"

Michael ripped his hands out of my grasp, but hesitated before storming out, his haunted eyes reaching into my soul one last time.

I flashed back to the first time I met Michael. It was the first day back from Christmas Break and I was trying to quietly sneak towards my spot in class. Molly and Chloe, my personal evil tormenters who also happened to be the prettiest, most popular girls in my grade, were already on the move to find the next best way to make me look like an idiot in front of the whole grade.

"Hey Fatty Patty, still buying out the plus section at Costco? Better watch the weight or you'll outgrow even the XXL size!", Molly sniped as Chloe giggled in the way pretty girls did when they know they're being cute. I still don't get why so many guys liked them, they're the fakest people I've ever met.

Laughing nervously, I inched away, trying to escape, but Chloe grabbed onto by sweater, stopping me. "Hang on, Chicken Patty, I don't think we have quite finished our little chat. I believe you owe us last night's math homework...unless you have changed your mind about us posting that ugly picture of you on...."

Chloe's eyes widened as the image of pure perfection stepped in front of her. "Let her go," he intoned firmly with a rich, lyrical voice, pulling me away from her.

I couldn't help but stare at his gorgeous face. His thick, glossy locks fell into shadowy waves around his chiseled cheekbones and full lips. Dark, shifting eyes gave him a mysterious look, as if he was always hiding himself from the world. My eyes fell to where his hand was still around my wrist, the warmth from his hand bleeding into my skin and sending rippling waves through the rest of my body.

Chloe's flirty laugh pierced through my trance as she twirled a strand of her golden locks around an elegant finger, "Oh, sorry to scare you, Patty and I go way back. We love to tease each other. Are you new? I'm Chloe, it's so nice to meet you!"

Unfazed, Michael steped away from the three of us and enigmatically walked away. For the rest of that day, I was unable to concentrate on anything, distracted by those sooty eyes that seemed to gaze right through me. We eventually built up a solid friendship and he was the first ever person who could see beyond the geeky clothes and nerdy appearance. The addition of Michael and his twin Taylor rocked our school to its core. As the new hottest guys, they were like night and day both in appearance and personality: inscrutable Michael with somber eyes and an unapproachable air against charismatic Taylor with sparkling blue eyes and a cheerful word for everyone.

My connection with Michael was instantaneous, quick to come and quick to go, while my friendship with Taylor built with time. I had felt so much pressure to be with Michael who was off-limits for everyone, while Taylor had made me feel on top of this world.

Even now, as I swam in the depths of Michael's eyes one last time and remember how much he has meant to me over the past few months, I know I have made the right decision. I break off the contact between us and race out the door, tears burning in my eyes, threatening to overflow.