Page 127 of More To Us

"What else is there to say? I broke my leg. It happened over a year ago."

"And it wasn't a big deal," he says. "Isn't that what you said?"

"Yes."

"So that's it? That's all you're going to tell me?"

I know I should tell him what really happened but I don't want to. And I don't need to. I already told him I broke my leg. I just didn't tell him how bad it was, because if I did, he'd treat me like Amber does, and my parents, and everyone else who knows what happened that day. He'd never work out with me again. He wouldn't race me on the bike. He'd be constantly telling me to rest my leg. Asking me if it hurts.

I'm tired of being treated that way. I'm an athlete. A gymnast. Not some girl with a broken leg. This latest injury is just a minor setback. My leg will heal and then I'll go back to getting in shape. I'm not letting the doctors or Amber or my parents tell me my dream is over. And I'm not letting Austin do it either.

"I already told you everything," I say. "There's nothing more to say."

He stares back at me, then mutters, "Fuck." He looks out the window again. "I can't believe you're doing this. I thought we—forget it. Guess I was wrong." He turns and walks away, heading to the door.

"Where are you going?"

He stops and turns back to me. "I like you, Kira. I more than like you. But I don't stay with people who lie to me. I've been nothing but honest with you, and I expected you to do the same for me. But you didn't. You haven't. You've lied to me this whole time. From day one. And what's even worse, is that you used me. You made me help you do something I never would've done if I'd known the truth. But I guess your own personal goals were more important than me, and what we had together."

Had?Wait—so he's breaking up with me? I'm trying to sort out what he said as fast as I can so I can figure out what's going on here. And then my brain finally catches up. He already knows what happened. Someone told him. It had to be Amber. But why? Why would she do that to me?

"Austin, I..." I have no words. I don't know how to explain this.

He waits, but when I don't say anything, he walks to the door. "Good luck with your gymnastics career." He glances back at me. "I hope your leg gets better." He opens the door.

"Austin, wait." I grab my crutches and hobble over to him. "Can we talk about this later?"

"What's there to talk about? You just said you have nothing to tell me."

I look down, and see his hand wrap around mine.

"I care about you, Kira. And I really hope you care enough about yourself to stop what you're doing before you hurt yourself again. And I really hope you stop lying to all the people who care about you. They're just trying to help. I know you don't think so, but they are. They're not out to get you. They just don't want to see you get hurt again." I keep my head down as he continues, his hand still loosely holding mine. "I saw the video and...shit, I would've been a freaking mess seeing you lying there unconscious. I get why Amber is so protective of you, and why she's so worried about you. I saw her in that video. She was on the floor, sobbing, because her best friend was hurt and unresponsive and being carried away on a stretcher. She was crying again today just showing me the video. She was scared, Kira. Scared of losing her best friend. And now she's scared you'll get hurt again like you did today. I am too. But I don't think there's anything I, or anyone else, can say that will stop you. You have to decide this yourself. Otherwise, you'll just keep doing what you're doing and find new ways to hide it." He lets go of my hand. "Goodbye, Kira."

I look up at him, sniffling, because now I'm crying. "Goodbye, as in goodbye for now? Or..." I don't even want to say it.

"I'm sorry, but I can't be with someone who can't be honest with me." And then he goes out the door.

I go back to the couch and let the tears flow. Soon I'm rocking back and forth, sobbing. What have I done? How did this happen? Everything was going so great and now it's over. It can't be over.

Austin is more than just some guy I'm dating. He's become one of my closest friends. He makes me smile and laugh and keeps me motivated when I'm sick of my classes and don't want to do my homework. He supports me and tells me I'm beautiful and opens doors for me. He's kind and caring and a hard worker and a talented guitarist and he's from a good family. He's basically everything I could ever want in a boyfriend, and I don't know how I was ever lucky enough to find him. But I did, and now I love...I stop myself from thinking it because it only makes this harder, but the thought pops in my head again. Because it's true. I love him. I love Austin. And now he's gone.

Amber appears and sees me crying. "Kira." She sits next to me. "What happened?"

"He broke up with me." I take a shaky breath and wipe my face.

"You guys broke up? Or you're just having a fight?"

"It's over. He told me he doesn't want to be with someone who can't be honest with him."

She's quiet, and suddenly I'm mad. Furious at her.

"Why did you tell him?" I demand. "Is this what you wanted? For him to break up with me?"

"No. Kira." She reaches for my hand but I pull it away.

"You had NO right to do that! He's not your boyfriend. He's mine. And if there are things I don't want to tell him, then that's MY decision, not yours. And why did you tell him about Dylan?"

"I thought he already knew. I thought you told him weeks ago."

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