Page 70 of Racing Hearts

Teresa laughed and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “If you honestly believe that, I feel sorry for you.” She walked away and flopped back onto her bed and Sierra once again let herself believe the conversation was over between them.

But Teresa had no sooner gotten herself comfortable in bed and put her headphones in, than she ripped them back out. “You know what? It might not seem like it to you, but I’ve been tryingreallyhard to be nice to you. You’ve finally pushed me over the edge now, so it’s time I’m brutally honest with you. When we first got together, I really thought I loved you. But it wasn’tyouthat I loved. It was the way you made me feel. When you care about someone, it’s all-encompassing, and people eat that shit up. There’s something really comforting about knowingyou have someone who would do anything for you, and I fell right into that trap in the same way I’m sure your little girlfriend is right now. Then we got to school, and I realized something. I can do so much better. There are so many other people out here who can give me the attention I crave without having so many expectations in return. I can screw someone without having to scream from the rooftops about us dating. Don’t get me wrong, you were a good fuck, but you’re a dime a dozen. You aren’t worth the effort, and before long, your stupid girlfriend is going to realize that too.”

Sierra could feel her eyes burning, but she blinked to hold her tears inside. She could not give Teresa the pleasure of seeing her cry again. She wouldn’t, no matter how much she wanted to at that moment. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You know nothing about Ellie.” Teresa didn’t see the way Ellie looked at Sierra. She didn’t hear the things she said to her or the promises she made.Those are all things Teresa did too, the annoying voice in her head reminded her. She needed to silence that voice. She wouldn’t let Teresa ruin this for her.

“I might not know Ellie, but I do know you. You’re the type of girl people fall hard and fast for. The one they would do anything for becauseyou’re worth it.” Teresa spoke the exact words Ellie had said on their trip as if she had been there with them. “You’re the girl who seemed like a good idea at the time. But, when it comes down to it, you’re not worth it. I realized that and soon she will too.”

Voices swirled around in Sierra’s head, and she could hardly take it. All of the voices she had worked so hard to silence were screaming at her now. Her biggest insecurities were running on repeat though her brain. She held her head as if that was somehow going to stop them. “Just shut up,okay?” she shouted at Teresa.

When Sierra forced herself to look over at Teresa, she found a proud smile on her face, as if she had accomplished exactly what she set out to do.Bitch.

Teresa put both of her hands in the air. “Don’t shoot the messenger, okay?”

“Whatever.” Sierra had nothing left to say to Teresa. Soon, Sierra would be back with Ellie and all of these insecurities would be drowned out by the love and respect Ellie gave her.

Teresa got off of her bed and calmly walked over to her closet. She slowly sifted through her clothes, acting as if she hadn’t just said a million hurtful things in one breath. “Well, I have a date tonight, so don’t wait up.”

Sierra knew she shouldn’t continue to interact with Teresa, but she couldn’t help herself. It felt good to put Teresa in her place and she needed to do that again. “Don’t worry. I won’t. I have a date too, but I’m sureIwon’t be coming back after mine.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts.”

Teresa was still watching her when Sierra felt her phone vibrate. She smiled when she looked at it and found it was Ellie who had texted her. Unfortunately, that smile didn’t last for long. Her smile, and her heart, dropped as soon as she read the words.I really hate to do this, but I’m having a roommate emergency. I’m going to have to cancel our date for tonight. Raincheck?

Sierra immediately silenced the voice in her head trying to tell her that Ellie didn’t want to see her. That wasn’t the case. That was just Teresa getting inside of her head with all of her bullshit. It probably went badly telling Juniper about them. Sierra couldn’t be angry when the emergency was most likely due to their relationship. Now, she just felt guilty.Is she really pissed about us? I’m so sorry.

It took longer than usual, but eventually, another text came through from Ellie.Didn’t get to tell her yet. Not the right time.

Not the right time? Why was it suddenly not the right time? Last night, Ellie made it sound like now was the perfect time, or at least as good as it was going to get. What made her change her mind?

“Something wrong?” Teresa asked, clearly happy to see the scowl on Sierra’s face.

“No. I’m good. Great, actually.” She threw her phone down and faked a smile for Teresa.

Teresa laughed. “You act like I don’t know what your fake smile looks like. Let me guess. Trouble in paradise?”

Sierra shook her head. “No. Ellie had to cancel, because her best friend needs her right now. She’s agood friendlike that.”Unlike some people I know.

Teresa smirked and rolled her eyes. “Okay. You keep telling yourself that, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Instead of saying anything else to Teresa, Sierra took out the newest mystery novel by her favorite writer and started to read. Rather than get stuck on what Teresa had said, she would immerse herself in solving the mystery and wait to hear from Ellie.

The only problem was, after reading for hours, there were still no more texts from Ellie. Sierra forced herself to get up and go to the dining hall for dinner, but she didn’t have an appetite and mostly just played with her food. After trying to study at the library, she gave up on that as well, and went back to her room.

Luckily, Teresa wasn’t there anymore, so she read more of her novel. When she realized she hadn’t actually been paying attention to anything she was reading, she decided to go to sleep. She shut her eyes and tried to stop overthinking everything,but it was impossible, especially when she kept imagining she felt her phone vibrating. Every time she checked, there was still nothing from Ellie.

It was just past midnight, when Sierra decided she would send Ellie a message.I hope everything is okay <3 Thinking of you.

Her eyes became heavy, and she finally drifted to sleep as she waited for the text that didn’t come.

Chapter 33

Ellie

One day earlier

Ellie tapped lightly on Juniper’s door and waited for a response. A minute later, the door opened, and Juniper was standing in front of her with red, puffy eyes and pink cheeks.

Ellie immediately pulled Juniper into her arms. “Aw, sweetie. What happened?”

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