Page 11 of Fragile Hearts

She smiles, turning back to face the ocean. “I’ve never surfed it either,” she says quietly. “I never surfed any waves outside of Maui.”

I swallow at her admission, my heart aching in my chest as I reach over, resting my hand on the armrest of the chair she sits in. “Maybe we could go one day, see who’s really not scared.”

Sloane smiles, turning back to me. “As nice as that sounds, I’m not sure that’s in the cards for me.”

“You never know,” I say, knowing I’d take her there tomorrow if she wanted to go.

“No, I guess not,” she says quietly, turning back to the ocean. She lifts her mug to her lips, taking another sip before she says, “I should go get ready for work. I’ll see you later?”

She stands, and I hold a hand to my eyes so I can see her. “Take the leftovers for lunch. I packed them for you.”

She nods. “Thank you.”

“And good luck with your test today. Go kick its ass.”

She laughs now, turning to head inside. “Thanks, Owen. Have a good day.”

“You too, Sloane,” I reply as she disappears inside.

The day goes by so quickly, working most of it and then heading to classes. I love that today, after my test, our professor ended class early, and I’m heading back to Owen’s house right now. I need to get to work on a paper I have due next week, and this extra time will be useful.

When I walk in, I turn off the alarm, calling out to see if the house is empty. “Owen!” I yell, waiting to see if he responds. “You here?” Again, I wait, but he doesn’t respond, and I let out a sigh of relief to have the house to myself.

It’s not that I don’t like Owen. Actually, so far, things have been great, and I’m settling in, but it’s always hard for me. Nothing ever feels like home; the fear of having to move is always in the back of my mind. I can’t wait for the day that I buy my first house, and it’s mine—a place I can call home, a place where it feels like home.

I turn the alarm back on, setting it so it’s in the mode where I can move around the house; still a little apprehensive about being here alone. I often wonder when it will go away, when I’ll find a place that I’m comfortable in.

It’s times like this that I miss Mochi. Even though he weighs less than a cantaloupe, he at least barks when he hears something. I’ve been checking in on him every day, missing him terribly and wondering if I should just tell Owen I have a dog. See if he’s okay with me bringing him here. But that feels like I’m asking too much. He’s already letting me live here for basically pennies. I can deal with being alone, even if it scares me. It’s stupid.

Brushing off the feeling as I always do, I head to my bedroom, dropping my laptop on my bed and grabbing my water bottle from my bag, adding it next to the laptop.

I stop for a second, listening, and peek out the door, finding the door to Owen’s room open. Out of my own stupid need to make sure the house is empty, I head toward his room, looking in.

It’s empty, and I step in a little further, moving to the attached bathroom and scanning it quickly. I let out a little laugh at how ridiculous this is. I don’t need to check every room, yet I still find myself doing it, out of habit, out of fear, out of complete irrationality.

Owen’s room is strangely spotless, not like a guy his age at all, and it smells amazing in here and suddenly want to lie down on his bed and cover myself with his sheets. It’s so calming and quiet, not that my room isn’t. But there’s something about the size, the oversized bed, the muted light gray on the walls, the white bedding, all of it, calls to me.

But it would be seriously fucking creepy if Owen came home and I was lying in his bed. Nothing like getting myself kicked out on day two of living together.

Going back to my room, I put in my earbuds and get to work on my paper. Typing away, pulling up research and opening a million tabs while I work. My music is playing in my ears, helping me focus and drown out any distractions.

Before I know it, it’s been two hours, and I’m nearly finished with my paper. I don’t think I’ve ever worked so quickly on something, and I have to admit, it’s partially Daisy and Alana’s fault. They were always so much fun, encouraging me to go surfing with them, or have a beer, or watch a movie. Living with my best friends was amazing, but I’m not sure it can beat the silence of this house.

With a smile on my face, I grab my now-empty water bottle and leave my room to head to the kitchen to fill it.

As I step out of the room and into the hallway, I’m met face-to-face with a man. I don’t even hesitate for a second, wrapping my leg around his, I take him to the ground. My forearm is pressed to his throat, and I’m straddling his hips.

It takes a second for my brain to catch up, realizing I’ve just knocked Owen, my brand new and super helpful roommate, to the floor. His head thumped off the wooden flooring too, and now his eyes are scrunched closed.

“Oh my god, Owen, I’m so sorry,” I say, pulling my earbuds from my ears as I climb off him. “Oh my god.” The words are repeated over and over again in my head too.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Are you okay?” I ask, concern blanketing my words as he lets out a groan, rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

I kneel down next to him, slipping my hand to where his head hit the ground, gently caressing it through his hair, feeling for a lump.

He swallows hard, his eyes focused on mine, and this electricity passes between us, crackling, and it sends a tingling sensation up my spine. When he wets his lips, his eyes falling closed at my touch, I quickly pull my hand away, missing the feeling of his soft hair woven through my fingers.

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