Page 14 of Keeper of Hearts
Halfway through class, a murmur of careful activity ripples through my classmates, drawing my attention. I watch as, one by one, they pass a note.
My heart climbs into my throat when Derek, the boy in front of me, turns like he's stretching and casually drops it on my desk.
I stare at the neatly folded paper, my eyes locked on Gage's distinctive scrawl, torn between ripping it in half unread and opening it to see what he wants.
Curiosity wins out.
I open it cautiously.
Butterfly,
Meet me at your spot in the library at lunch. I need to talk to you privately. Please?
Gage
I stare at the words on the paper for a long time, not sure if I want to hear what he has to say or not. They're probably just more lies. But then I make the mistake of glancing over at him.
"Please," he mouths, his eyes burning with an intensity that pins me in place. He looks…afraid, like his whole world hinges on my answer.
Apparently, even when he's lying, I'm as weak for him as ever.
I nod, giving in.
Chapter Seven
Gage
By the time lunch rolls around, I'm full of restless energy, desperate to set eyes on Troian, to make sure she's okay. Her eyes were red and puffy when she came to class, like she'd been crying again. I want to know why. I want to hold her. I want to fix everything I've messed up between us.
I just want her, dammit.
I slip between the stacks, heading for the alcove in the back corner where she likes to hide out when she wants to escape from our classmates and pretend this place isn't hell for her.
I hate myself for not realizing that I was the reason a long time ago. Now that my eyes are open, it's all I can think about. It's all I can see. All the barbs, all the bullying, everything she's tolerated and endured…it's all been because of me.
She deserves so much better.
I don't even know where to start making it right, but I have to try.
It takes her ten minutes to finally make it to the library. Ten minutes for me to pace a hole in the floor, driving myself crazy with anxiety.
By the time she appears, I'm ready to snap, so I'm not really surprised when I'm on her as soon as she steps into the alcove, pulling her into my arms.
"What are you doing?" she growls, shoving me away from her to glare at me.
"Sorry." I take a step back, raking my hands through my hair. "I just…" I inhale a deep breath, but it doesn't make me feel any calmer. I still want my hands on her. I still want her body against mine. I still want the same damn things I did two seconds ago. "I'm losing my mind, butterfly."
"Clearly," she snaps, dropping her bag to the floor before crossing her arms to scowl at me. "What do you want, Gage?"
"You were crying this morning."
She rolls her eyes at me.
"You were, butterfly. You can't lie to me."
"Oh. You mean like you lie to me?"
I gape at her, shocked. "When have I ever lied to you?"
