Set Free

Set Free Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

  "Hey! Amber, wait!" Nick called to me as he caught up to me. "Where are you going?"

  "Home." I said, still crying, although I tried my best to do it quietly as I ran. "I'm really sorry, but I can't do this. It was a mistake to come out here with you tonight."

  I had thought that I was far ahead of him, so I was completely surprised when he grabbed onto my shoulders and stopped me, pulling me close to him as he did.
 
  "What are you talking about?" he asked me, exasperated, as he tried to keep me from getting away again. "I like you, don't you get that? That was all I was trying to say. And I thought you liked me too."  Nick's lips turned sligtly up into a sad, hopeful smile.

  "Yeah, I get that," I screamed at him as I tried to break free. "but I don't wanna like anyone ever again! It's too painful and it's not worth it! Why couldn't you just let us stay friends, huh?! I was finally happy again!!!"

I began crying harder as I struggled against him, but to no avail

Man, he's so strong. I can't seem to pull away. I thought, angry that he wouldn't let go of me but admiring his apparent strength at the same time.

  "Please don't do this." Nick pleaded with me as he tried to hold me to him."I don't wanna let you go. And I know that if you just take this chance with me, it WILL be worth it. I swear. You're the girl I've been waiting for my whole life. I know it. I know it right here." He let og of me with one of his hands and  pointed to his heart.

  This just made me cry even harder, knowing I couldn't accept. I tried pulling away again, since now he had me with just one arm, but he was STILL too strong.

I knew what I had to do. I knew, as I thought of it, that I was going to be lying. And I knew it was going to kill him.

  "Look," I began, trying not to feel anything at all anymore, no emotions, no nothing, just so the pain might ebb a little. But I knew I was going to regret saying this someday. "My stupid parents made me come here, I just wanted to freaking die in California where my memories of Justin surrounded me. It's only been like five months since he died, and you're asking way too much of me! I don't have my heart with me, don't you see that!?! Justin has it, wherever the heck he is! And I can't get it back, it's locked up so tight wherever he is that no one will ever be able to find it! And I don't think I could change that even if I ever wanted to! So just leave me alone cause I'm not interested, okay? I DON'T LIKE YOU!!!"

Liar. I thought ruefully.

  And with that, Nick dejectly let go of my arms and I broke into a run towards my house, finally free of his arms. But I found as I cried and ran, that all I wanted to do was run right back into those same arms I had rejected a moment ago, and just cry and be comforted. It took all I had in me to remind myself of Justin and how I was only ever going to be his.

I had to painfully remind myself how I had just betrayed him worse than I had the first time when I danced with Nick.