Need you | Miles Fairchild

7. what the hell??

I wake up feeling lighter than I have in a long time. My chest feels warm, full—because of Miles. I don't know what I'd do without him. He knows everything now. Every cruel word Kate has thrown at me, every moment she's made me feel small. And he understood. He didn't judge me. He listened.

That meant everything.

I roll out of bed and get dressed, pulling on a soft oversized cream jumper, high-waisted denim shorts, and my favourite worn Converse. Comfortable. Safe. Like him.

Once I'm ready, I head out to find Miles.

He's sitting on the couch, staring blankly at nothing.

"Hey," I say softly.

He doesn't even look at me.
"What do you want?" he snaps.

I blink, caught completely off guard. "Wha— to say hi?" I sass back, confused.

"Well, don't," he says coldly, standing up and storming off down the hall.

I just stand there for a moment, stunned.

"What the hell?" I mutter under my breath before heading back to my room.

I curl up on my bed and grab Tomorrow, When the War Began, trying to distract myself, but the words blur together. My chest feels tight.

What just happened?

A knock interrupts my thoughts.

"It's Flora!" a small voice calls through the door.

"Come in," I say, sitting up.

She walks in, tilting her head, studying my face like she already knows something's wrong.

"Why are you and Miles fighting?" she asks quietly.

"I honestly don't know," I sigh.

She climbs onto my lap, wrapping her little arms around my neck.

"Well," she says seriously, "I think he still loves you. Do you still love him?"

"Of course I do," I say instantly. There isn't even a second of doubt.

"Then you should tell him," she says, hopping down and running out of the room before I can respond.

I stare at the door for a moment.

Maybe she's right.

I place my book down, take a deep breath, and stand up. I smooth out my jumper and head toward Miles' room. Music is playing loudly from inside. I knock.

"Come in," he says sharply.

I open the door. "Hey... what was with you this morning?"

He spins around. "What do you mean what was with me? What was with you?"

"Excuse me?" I say, my voice rising. "All I did was come say hi, and you snapped at me and stormed off. Don't try and blame this on me."

"Well maybe you shouldn't cheat on me," he fires back, "and then that wouldn't happen."

My heart drops.
"Wha— I didn't cheat on you," I say, completely stunned.

"Oh yeah?" he scoffs. "Tell that to your sister."

And with that, he brushes past me and storms out.

"For fuck's sake!" I shout, spinning on my heel and marching straight to Kate's room.

I don't knock. I shove the door open.

She's sitting on her bed, reading like nothing's wrong.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snap.

"Me?" she sneers. "You're the one who cheated."

"I didn't bloody cheat on anyone," I yell. "You just want me to break up with Miles so you can have him all to yourself, you jealous prick!"

She says nothing—just smirks.

I storm out, slamming the door behind me.

Talk about a great fucking day with my boyfriend.