Chapter 84: Get In

~“I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain. Now the day bleeds into nightfall, and you’re not here to get me through it all. I let my guard down and then you pulled the rug. I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved.” —Lewis Capaldi.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi.

HARMONY

The drive to Homewood is silent. Blaze is lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. He’s right next to me, but he feels miles away. I miss his smile, his laugh, his terrible singing, his goofy dancing, and his flirty comments. I miss him.

I should keep my distance, but his recent coldness is driving me crazy. He’s been avoiding conversations and acting like I don’t exist. I can’t stand the silence anymore. I need to say something.

“Thanks for taking me there,” I say, trying to sound casual. “You didn’t have to, but you did. And thanks for staying with me...and driving me back.”

He doesn’t respond. He just runs his fingers through his hair, and I notice the bruises on his hand again. My worry returns.

Did he get hurt fighting Kite? I hate it when he does reckless things or gets hurt because of me. I don’t deserve it.

“Blaze...why is your hand like that? How’d you get hurt?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

I sigh. I can’t stand this tension between us. I thought he was starting to forgive me when he stayed with me at the clinic. Why is he still so distant?

He’s a tough nut to crack. His dad deserves a medal for dealing with him all these years. I would have lost my mind by now.

“You should get it dressed—”

“That’s not your business.”

“It is...”

“It’s not. Mind your own business, Harmony.”

“Why are you still acting like this?” I ask, frowning. “I just got checked out, and I’m still a virgin, so stop being so mean, Blaze.”

“Harmony, I’m clearly not in the mood to talk. Get the message.”

“Don’t swear at me, Blaze.”

“Then stop talking to me, okay?”

Tears sting my eyes, and I quickly look out the window so he won’t see how hurt I am. This boy is driving me crazy.

“You can let me out. I can walk back.”

He hisses but keeps driving as if he didn’t hear me.

I glare at him. “You can let me out, Blaze.”

He glances at me, his expression hard, then looks back at the road. “You think I wouldn’t let you out? I’ll leave you on this damn street, Harmony.”

“Then do it. I’d rather walk back alone than be around you when you’re like this.”

The car screeches to a halt so suddenly that I would have flown through the windshield if I hadn’t been wearing my seatbelt. I glare at him while he clenches his teeth, his dark eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“Fine. Goodbye.”

I fight back tears and unfasten my seatbelt without hesitation. I get out of his car and close the door.

He doesn’t look at me or say anything. He just steps on the gas and speeds away.

What a jerk. I thought he was starting to change. I guess I was wrong.

The street is quiet and lonely. I wipe away my tears and start walking toward Homewood. The day is windy, but at least it’s not raining like earlier. I can handle a walk back to school.

A million thoughts race through my mind as I walk along the sidewalk.

I didn’t want to lie to him, but I was scared he would hate me. Ironically, he hates me anyway, despite my efforts to avoid it.

He despises me more than anything in the world now, and the look of disgust he keeps giving me feels like a constant stab in the heart.

I know I may never earn his trust back, and that hurts more than a punch in the gut.

A tear slips down my face. God, feelings suck. I wish I couldn’t feel love. It’s causing me so much pain.

Suddenly, I see a white Mercedes speeding toward me. As it gets closer, I realize it’s Blaze’s car. I quickly wipe my eyes so he won’t see that I’ve been crying over him.

He stops next to me and rolls down his window. “Get in the car.” His voice is softer than before, but I don’t need his pity.

I’ve been trying to make peace all day, but he didn’t seem to care. His words kept hurting me, and he didn’t seem sorry.

I frown and look away. “I’m fine.”

“Harmony.”

I ignore him and keep walking. He mutters something under his breath and gets out of his car.

He steps in front of me, blocking my path. He glares at me, and I see his pupils dilate when he notices I’ve been crying. I turn my face away and try to walk around him, but he grabs my arm.

“Get in the car.”

“I’m fine.” I pull my hand back. “The school is right up the street.”

“Harmony, don’t be stubborn. Get in the car. You always make things so complicated. That’s why we’re in this mess.”

“~I~ make things complicated? Blaze, you left me on the street and drove away.”

“Harmony, it was you who wanted to get out of the car. If I’d left you there, I wouldn’t be here now, would I?”

I shoot him a glare, and he sighs, guiding my hand towards the passenger seat of the car. He settles me in before shutting the door and making his way to his side. He buckles his seatbelt.

“You shed tears a lot. You’re aware of that, right?”

I turn my gaze to the window, wiping my eyes.

“If a guy kicks you out of his car, you just tell him to go to hell. No need for tears; you’ve got nothing to cry about... You’re not the one in the wrong.”

He lets out a sigh, then steps on the gas and we’re off.