Strained

Chapter Five

I contemplated changing my schedule. I didn't like starting my day with my ex-boyfriend. It was Monday and the start of the second week of my first term as a Junior. I decided to give it another week before the cut off for changing classes. Things were still a touch awkward, especially since he still wanted us to break the Curse. The Curse I was convinced was unbreakable. We had our chance and we blew it. There was no way around it, despite what Kate thought. 

After we left the Docks, she had blurted out she thought there was another way. I tried to get her to drop it, but I knew she was still doing research. I didn't want her to get her hopes up -- or the Covens, for that matter. I knew in my gut there was no other way. When Naomi had destroyed the potion, she had destroyed any chance of breaking the Curse and freeing Daniel's family. 

The whole Summer, I had analyzed over the whole ordeal. I felt guilty -- there was no stopping that feeling. I had been the one holding the potion and Naomi took it from me. I was the one to blame, which hurt. I had wanted to break the Curse with such ferocity, that now I was burnt out on the very idea of trying again. I didn't want to fail again. Maybe I should take a page out of Addie's book and leave the Coven. More than ever, I wanted to be normal -- human. Being with Jamie, reminded me that I could have a semi-normal life.

I tried to get to class after Daniel, so he couldn't sit by me, but when the warning bell rang I went to class anyway. He wasn't there, which frustrated me. He waited, until the last second to show up then slide into the seat next to me. I pretended not to notice. The teacher announced we would be reading Wuthering Heights for our first book review. Part of me was disappointed. I had already read the book and honestly, wasn't a huge fan. I thought the book glamorized a toxic relationship.

Catherine was selfish beyond anyone I knew (including Ivelyn) and Heathcliff became his own worst enemy. 

"Now that the first week is over, we are going to get into partners. Whoever you are sitting by today will be your partner for the rest of the term," my heart sank as I realized Daniel was my partner. I bit my lip from outwardly groaning. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, I just wanted some space. Apparently, I wasn't going to get any.

Miss Wallouch then told us to get with our partners and create an outline for our book reviews. I took my time getting my notebook out of my bag. Next to me, Daniel had a fresh piece of paper out with his name and the date in the far right corner. His penmanship was something to be jealous of. He had perfect cursive. 

"I was thinking we could do a poster," Daniel offered. I raised an eyebrow. "For the book review," he clarified. 

"I knew what you meant," I grumbled. 

"Look, I get that this is probably going to be awkward, but are you really that pissed at me that you can't even talk to me? I thought we would still be friends." The last part hit me in the heartstrings, which is exactly why I didn't want to talk to Daniel. His short hair made him look older, but those brown eyes were forever sixteen. I shivered. 

"I'm not pissed at you, I never was. I just don't think we can be friends," he didn't understand. 

"I don't think you've tried to be my friend. We broke up, then you took off, and every time I try to talk to you, you brush me off. I-I miss you, Corn." He shrugged. I knew it was hard for him to say that. None of this had been easy for either of us. He brought up some good points, but he didn't see what I saw. He didn't know about the visions I had seen throughout the Summer, which mostly involved Daniel.

It changed constantly, but the gist was that if Daniel and I got back together we were break up again. This last time had been different and I was sure we were done. It didn't matter if we loved each other because it wasn't enough. We were destined to repeat history over and over again and I was tired of it. It hurt more each time we broke up. My heart couldn't handle anymore heartache. I couldn't handle one more break up with Daniel.