How He Broke My Heart

the beach messing around with a few people, I walked over from the seawall. There were four boys. Two had surfboards and were clearly enjoying the waves while Milo and another laid in

nds, and I felt like a fool for a couple seconds. I took my loss and

t, holding myself. I told him that I thought he was going to act as if

hat of a distraction. I wasn't giving in, I didn't really know what he was going to do anyway. We were in public, Sally could come through the back door anytime. But, he asked if I have ever had a boyfriend, really as

h courage from his presence, I saw Sally-knowing she was the owner from my many purchases-and asked if there was a position open. She said that I had to be eighteen to work there. I told her how much I loved the shop, so sh

run into him? What would I say? What would he say? I wonder if he'll remember me. I know that

enage party gives the opportunity to recklessly let go as if the world is ending and this is my last time to live. The motto of my generation seems to

leases when we reach the kitchen. The counters are coated in empty cups and bottles, careless spills, and alcohol waiting to be drunken. A girl sits up on the counter with a half-full bottle of tequila, continuousl

und the room before being engulfed by the girl from the bone fire. She comes out of nowhere and atte

ping their lips by chewing on them. I turn to Lauren but she's waiting as her shot glass is filled by counter-girl, so I take a step back, hoping to ease my way out. Unf

d and thrived at one of these

s close which makes my hands sweat, so I move forward instead. "Hey,"

way, chatting with the counter-girl and her

ing held to slip out the back door. Obviously, there's a fire burning in the pit and a few stray people s

irl, you seem

andon joining me. "You

Lauren seems

m not. No

n see his face just enough to know that I am standing in

ks, "Lacey?

ook back to

you?" He asks, somewhat

iced. "Does it really matter if I don't? Ev

wrong for me to want to get to know you? I like to befriend pe

he has going for him, that he can't and never will understand my pain. I wish I could be like him, liked without having to sell my sou

ry," I mutter, stic

k you're putt

t would

yone and that everyone hates you. You believe you're so misunderstood that there's no

"I have a

you d

I storm off like the pool-jumping lunatic I am and head into the house, finding Lauren leaning against the kitchen counter with the tequila bottle in her hand. I take it a

Infuriating tears wet my cheeks and I swipe them away before the redness comes. I knew this was going to be a b

mm

hoping I do so he can be scared off. The tequila empties down my throat as I take

iftly, ready. "D

being dr

leave me alone. Go away. You won't hav

quit yo

and turn back. As I make my way down the cars parked along the road th

is no

this. I've seen you at work when you stare off into the water, or a

want to be my friend?" I shake my head. "What if it is an act? Wh

your life? You're going to keep up these li

letting people in. I've ma

prodding me where it hurts. "Everyone has their heart br

sk again. "Why

veiled and dug into by him. His some picture of perfection, physically and mentally so that it exhausts me. He's the one everyone loves. Everyone wants to be his friend, they want to p

enough to suffocate in. "I think you're interesting, and mys

n't," I br

me. You don't wan

giving in, you're wrong. I'm not making that mistake again. Go ruin one of those other girls because you're not r

et. To fall in love with him and be that girl again. To be enchanted by his everything and wonder why in the world someone like him is interested in me. To want him, to tease him and drive off to the point by the cliff and give myself to him

d wait anxiously until my father opens

ing down at me. My heart would be racing relentlessly as it is now. I squeeze my legs together and die from the emptiness around me. I fist the blankets and clench my teeth, hating him. I

free of these boys and their manipulation? What

ays g