Page 42 of Twink Heart

Mia: I bought some of the furniture for the apartment!

Me: Then keep it.

Mia: You fucking tightwad asshole! And here I was trying to tell you I wanted you back, and that I forgave you for practically neglecting me. You can go fuck yourself. You’re probably some fag, anyway. That’s why you wouldn’t touch me anymore.

?My heart was racing. Between the anger and Mia’s sudden attack, I didn’t know what to do. But her accusation made my breath catch in my throat. Was it possible she knew? Had I shown signs of my fantasies before now? The panic started to rise, filling me with dread.

?But then a new message came through, the notification dropping down from the top of my screen.

James: Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And I wanted to apologize. I gave you a cold goodbye yesterday, but I had some time to think and I’m sorry. I know you’re going through things and trying to figure it all out. I should have been more understanding. Let me know if you want to get dinner sometime and if you’re willing, I’d really like to kiss you again.

?The emotional rollercoaster I was on was indescribable. But the moment I finished reading James’ message for the second time, my thoughts on the subject solidified. Everything with Mia was over. Like super over. And her outburst had proven to me that I was wasting time grieving the loss of something that I was better off without. Sure, life was a little different now, but from where I was standing, it was suddenly a whole lot brighter. Mia was my darkness and James was like the sun rising, the light that would lead me into the future.

?Another message from Mia came through and in that moment, I made a decision.

Mia: Your silence speaks volumes. I bet you are just some fag. Good thing you don’t have any family or they’d be really disappointed. I’m sure you’ve been choking on Adam’s cock for years now.

Me: Mia, you’re right. I am a fag. And you know what? I wasn’t that way before I met you. But your pussy is just so fucking gross that I decided I never wanted to see another one again. So congratulations, you made me gay. You probably made Cory gay too. Have a nice life.

?And before she could respond, I blocked her number, so I’d never see another message from her again.

?My heart was still racing, and I was terrified, but I knew what I had to do. Flipping over to my thread with James, I began to type furiously.

Me: Let’s go to lunch. Right now. We need to talk.

James: Don’t you have to work?

Me: I’m taking a sick day.

James: Only if you’re sure. I don’t want you to get in trouble.

Me: Believe me, you are FAR more important than my job.

James: That… is so sweet <3 I’d love to go to lunch with you.

Me: I’ll be on my way in ten minutes.

?Tossing my phone onto the charger, I ran to the bathroom and flipped on the shower. The last thing I wanted to do was start my new life with the grime accumulated from the past. It was time to wash Mia out of my hair for the last time.

?It was time to go see my sunshine with open arms.

Chapter Twenty-One: James

Rowan was practically out of breath when he showed up at my front door. He looked flushed, bothered, irritated, and happy to see me all at the same time. However, the moment he laid eyes on me I watched him quietly suppress it all in a vain attempt to seem a little more normal. Obviously something had him all riled up, I just wasn’t sure what was going on.

?Of course, his reply to my text had caught me off guard. In the first place, I’d never expected a response. But even if I was going to get one, I suspected it would be a single word or just some placation that let me know he was no longer interested. However, an invitation to hang out and to kiss him again? That was the last thing I expected.

?He carried me out to the car, insisting that I not walk on my injured foot. I noticed a figure a few spaces down that was staring at us as he leaned against his car smoking a cigarette. It was probably one of my neighbors wondering why there was a man kidnapping me. Although, considering I wasn’t putting up a struggle, I hoped they wouldn’t call the cops. I couldn’t explain what was going on to them anyway because I still didn’t know how this meeting was going to end.

?“Where do you want to eat?” he asked the moment we were both in the car. His voice was a little manic. “Anything sound good to you?”

?“Are you okay, Rowan?” I asked with no small amount of concern. “Is something wrong?”

?“Actually,” he replied with a sigh. “For the first time, everything seems sort of right.”

?I lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “Well, I guess that calls for a celebration then.”

?“Is there a good place to do that?”

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