Page 50 of Bleeding Hearts
She slept with others, but she’s never cared about them or walked them to class. Lally is mine, not theirs.
“I did. I really like my painting class. It’s a lot of fun, and I think I’ve found my talent.” I don’t dare admit I’m always painting her, since she already thinks I’m infatuated. She might start getting concerned if she saw how many sketchbooks and canvases are filled with her image. I could start a fucking gallery and call it the Lally show.
“That’s good.” She looks proud as she tugs me closer and kisses my head, a gesture that feels so natural that I have an insane urge to cry. “I’m really happy for you.”
I stand taller before I slump, remembering her confession. “And your classes?”
“I’m trying to get back on track. I really am. My teachers are kind and have cut me some slack. If I manage to stay here, I think I can still catch up and do well. I just need to focus,” she replies. “You might have to keep me in line.”
“I can do that,” I tell her as I look at our joined hands.
I wonder if this will last. She hasn’t been drinking recently, but it can’t be easy. What if she slides back into her old ways? I don’t think I could let her go back to how we were before, but I have to hope that she can get through this with me.
I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t even realize we are outside of my building until she pulls me to a stop. “Earth to Alice,” she teases.
“Sorry, I was miles away.” I force a smile onto my lips so she doesn’t worry. Lally already has enough to deal with. She doesn’t need my insecurities as well.
“Alice!” I turn to see my friends calling me, and I hesitate, glaring at them. I wanted a moment with Lally, but they wave me over, and I curse in my head.
“My friends,” I say, waving them away with a glare before my eyes land on the other girls who are watching us closely. “And your conquests.”
“Look at you being all cute and shit.” Turning my face to her, she smiles down at me. “Be good in class, baby. I’ll meet you on the benches for lunch.” She kisses me hard and deep, until I’m panting and leaning into her. “Was that a good enough show for them, or should I feel you up a bit as well?”
I nod, unable to speak since she scrambled my brain.
“Go on. I’ll see you later.” She slides my bag onto my shoulder and turns me while I remain frozen in shock. Laughing, Lally pushes me forward, and I finally move. I look back at her the whole way, and when I get inside the doors, she finally walks away, and I can’t help but smile.
It soon fades when I turn to a crowd of curious faces.
Narrowing my eyes, I feign confidence as I hoist my bag higher. “What? Never seen someone as pretty as me? Shocker.” I push past them and head to class, refusing to let any of them ruin this for me.
Lally is finally mine, and I’m not letting her go.
Classes passed way too slowly, or maybe I was just eager to get out. I hurry outside after giving an excuse to my friends, hoping she’ll be waiting like she promised, but when I see the benches, my heart sinks.
Lally is there, but a girl is with her and practically sitting on top of her, obviously flirting. As I march over, I overhear the girl talking.
“Sarah, remember? We could go back to my place and revisit old times . . .” She drags her nails down Lally’s arm, and I see red when Lally flinches and moves away.
Slamming my bag down on the table, I glare at them, jealousy coursing through me.
Lally puts her hands up, her eyes wide as she watches me nervously. “Alice,” she starts, but I focus on the girl. I consider ripping off her fake nails and scratching her pretty face with them. She touches Lally like she’s hers.
She isn’t. She’s mine!
She finally looks from Lally to me, wearing a clueless smile as her head tilts. “Hi, I’m Sarah?—”
“I know that,” I retort with a pointed look. Her smile fades as she glances from a pale Lally to me.
“Oh, you must be Alice,” she begins.
“I already know that as well. Stop telling me useless information and tell me something I don’t know, like why you are clinging to my girlfriend.”
Her mouth pops open. “Girlfriend? Lally?”
Leaning across the table, I get in her face. “Yes. She’s my girlfriend, so get those cheap nails off her and fuck off before I decide to stop being nice.”
She pulls her hand back and stands, glancing at Lally again.
