Page 97 of Broken Beauty

They have bruises and scratches on them, fresh cuts.

“Ash,” I say softly but he pulls his hands away from mine.

“Do you need something?”

I look away from his hands and see him raising an eyebrow at me. His expression is bored and he almost seems annoyed while staring down at me.

“Did you get my messages? I've been worried about you?” I furrow my eyebrows at him.

Don't break my heart, please.

“Yea.”

“Why didn't you answer me then? Are you mad at me or something?”

“Did you not get the hint or something?”

I look around us and thankfully there aren't many people around. “What do you mean?”

“Do I really have to spell it out for you Ariella?”

“Ash-“

“I only needed you for one thing. I'm over it.” My heart breaks, little by little and then slowly my mind just shuts off. Everything around me is blurred and I can only focus on the way Ash is staring at me like I am the bane of his existence. Ash sighs. “Look what we had, it was fun for those few months but I'm bored. You're like every other girl, Ariella.”

I ignore the pang in my heart.

My eyes feel watery but I don't let the tears fall. I will not have Ash Jones see my cry over him.

“I thought that-“

He furrows his eyebrows and his lips lift a little. It almost feels like he is mocking me and making fun of me and my feelings.

“Thought that I what? Loved you?”

“I-“

“Why would I love someone like you, Ariella? You're fake. You are like every other girl. There is nothing special about you and there never will be. Why would I want to be in love with you? I mean did say I would ruin you, didn’t I?”

And just like that, I snap.

My hand connects with the side of his face and I hear a few gasps behind me.

A tear finally falls from my eye and I nip my bottom lip. “Fuck you.” I push him by the chest. “Fuck you, Ash Jones. You're nothing but a heartless jerk. You don't care about anyone but yourself. It was a mistake to fall in love with you!” I yell before turning on my heel and avoiding all of the eyes burning into my back.

Even as I start my car and drive home, I still can't help but feel something strong for Ash. I still can't help but love him.

Forty-Six

Ariella

Present

“Why does it feel like every time I ditch school, shit goes down?” Bridgette asks as she starts making popcorn.

We are having a movie night.

I’m feeling like shit and having Bridgette here, watching and laughing over silly romcoms will brighten my mood. I have missed hanging out with Bridgette, one on one. I feel like we haven't had a real conversation in a while.