ELIZABETH. Jared doesn’t speak as he moves closer, and I watch as the smirk on his face gets bigger as his eyes lower down my face. When he doesn’t shift his gaze from wherever it’s landed, my eyes follow and I gasp, immediately dropping my hands over my chest when I realize he’s staring at how my breasts are almost spilling from my bra. "Eye up, Vance!" I snap, and he chuckles as he meets my eyes. "Can’t blame a guy for staring. Those are beautiful." His voice is loud so I can hear him from here and heat rises to my cheeks as I tighten my hands around my chest. "Shut up. What the hell are you doing here?" Jared has only been to my place once, and I didn’t think he’d remember the route or even come back here. He steps forward again, and he’s almost near my window. The house is a single detached with one leveled ground and three bedrooms, so it makes it easier to access the windows. Like I said earlier, nothing luxurious. "Will you go out later tonight with me?" He drops the questio

JAMES. I sit still on the bed with my bottom lip pulled between my teeth to hold back the strangled sounds that threaten to fall as I keep my eyes fixated on the floor. I lift my head when I hear the sound of a door closing and Elizabeth is walking out of the bathroom. She doesn’t look my way as she strides to the small sofa right by the door to grab her bag. I watch her throw it over her head and cross it over her chest and my lips parts, hundreds of words wanting to leave my mouth. I have so much to tell her. So much to convince her of. I have so much to show her and let her know, but I can’t say the words. She’s made up her mind and I don’t think there’s changing it this time. She doesn’t want to be with me in any way anymore. Not as the one who has romantic feelings for me, nor as one who cares about me as a friend. She wants out of my life completely and the pain I feel from realizing that, from listening to her say those words—hurts more than anything I’ve ever known. "I… um.

JAMES. My blood is boiling and my breathing is harsh as I wait for Janet to speak while she keeps hitting the hand I have wrapped around her throat, struggling to loosen my grip. "James… wait… please." She coughs and when I see her eyes redder than before, and lashes almost fluttering against her cheeks; I let go. I remove my hand and take several steps away from her, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I watch her fight to catch her breath. Her head hangs in the air with her hands on her opened thighs as she coughs violently while I keep my distance. After long torturous minutes of waiting, she raises her head with one hand crossed over her chest and I can see the fear in her eyes when they meet mine. I can feel it in her stance and she stares at me like she doesn’t recognize the boy who stands before her—Good. I don’t recognize myself these days anymore either. "What’s wrong with you?" Her voice is small, edged with gentleness rolled in reluctance, and when she blinks once more

JAMES. I’m here. In Los Angeles. The University of California. I got in. When I told my parents about what I wanted to do, my mother, of course, had lots to say about it, but I wasn’t ready to listen. I didn’t listen and when she realized there was nothing she could do to stop me; she let me go. I got here two days ago. After settling in, I began my search for Elizabeth. I didn’t want to text her to let her know about it. I wanted to surprise her, plus the ninety percent chance that she wouldn’t reply to my text, so I just roamed around the entire campus looking for her. It’s bigger than it looks, so it took quite a time, but I finally found her. Yesterday, I saw her entering the dorms. Then I lost her so I went room by room asking. Thankfully, I didn’t have to ask much before I got hers. Out of all the ways I thought I’d finally meet Elizabeth and see her again, this definitely didn’t come as a possibility. I didn’t think—not even for a second—that she’d be standing before me n

JAMES. Elizabeth’s eyes are wide as she stares at me but I can tell I’m not hurting her because she makes no move to remove my hand from her chin and my patience starts to wear thin as she just gapes at me, so close but refuses to give me what I want. My other hand moves to her waist and a groan leaves her lips when I force my hips against hers. Something dark flashes in those pretty hazel eyes, but it’s gone before I can tell what and my mouth is opening again. "Tell me, Elizabeth." My voice isn’t harsh like the first few times. It’s now small and soft, even pathetic to my ears. I should be ashamed about how often I’m pathetic before her, but I’m long past that level with Elizabeth. She’s broken me. Completely. And we’re both just here, staring at my pieces, and there’s nothing else to hide from her. She sees everything. She knows everything. "James." She doesn’t call my name like she wants to drive a knife through my chest like the last time she did. And her eyes aren’t so angry.