Page 70 of Paper Thin Love

I wipe my tears away with the back of my hand.

“Let me be your friend.”

I shake my head.“I don’t think I deserve a friend right now, Jared. I just need to be alone.” The car starts trudging up dust from the long gravel pathway to the isolated school.

“Mila,” Jared exhales, but I’m already turning and grabbing the car door.

I shove myself inside, feeling like an unwanted AD thrusted into a passerby’s hand.“Drive. Please fucking drive!” I state, then I begin to cry.

***

“Hey!” Dom slows the car once we are near the gates.“You gotta tell me you're physically fine or I have to stop the car, Mila.”

It’s not the first time Dom has picked me up in tears.“I’m okay.” I snort, desperately trying to dry my eyes. I glance over at Dominic Thornton, Dom for short, the closest thing I have to a friend in my world. Dominic is the son of my father’s business partner so he knows exactly what my life has been like. We’ve grown up together having spent some years in the same school. He’s two years older and now attends Empire University studying law because he will be forced to take over for his father. Lucky for me, Empire University is only a short drive from here, so Dom can come when I call.

Dom always comes, no matter the place or time.

“It’s okay, Mila,” Dom presses the gas again and swings his arm around me. His sandalwood scent envelops me.“You’ll survive. You always do.”

“This is different.” I mutter tightly. Dash King is my wrecking ball. He’s already struck. Now the only thing that matters is how I scatter.

I envy how Dash hates. I wish my love could be tainted and twisted like his. If only I could mimic Dash’s tendency to push me away, only to pull me back in again.

Despite his deep hatred for love, Dash fails to recognize that hate is a passionate emotion that drives actions. As a result, his hatred constantly fuels the very thing he despises most. His feelings for me.

Dom drives till we reach our favorite field. We used to come here when he attended school. We’d sit and talk, laugh and shout as if we were two normal teens just enjoying life. Dom made me promise not to do anything unless it was with him. The first time I got drunk was with him here on this field.

I haven’t kept that promise. I’ve done a lot of stupid things.

“You get the blanket, I’ll get the booze, unless you want me to keep driving?” He grins.

I shake my head,“No. This is fine.”

We walk out to where the wild grass is tall and covered in flowers, perfectly hidden from those driving by. My nostrils inhale; the air is slightly fresher with the start of spring’s fragrance. I spread out the blanket as Dom begins to open the bottle of vodka.

He hands me the bottle and I take a sip.“Ugh, it’s disgusting.”

He snorts a laugh.“I suggested chocolate last time, but you said that was for emotional train wrecks, alcohol was for drowning sorrows. So tell me what you're trying to silence, Mila?”

“Myself,” I grunt as I take another sip.

I offer him the bottle, but he declines.“Not today. I have exams this week.”

“I’m sorry.” I tuck the bottle between my thighs.

Reaching out, he delicately tucks my hair behind my ear.“Never apologize for calling me. You know I’ll always come.” Dominic’s always tender with me, like an older brother should be. Even in the past when we both drank, he always remained more sober.

“I know.”

“Talk to me.” He urges as he kicks off his shoes and leans back on the blanket.

I play with the top of the bottle.“I asked someone to sleep with me.” I snort,“actually I begged him and he turned me down.” I blurt out.

“What!” Dom jack hammers up.

“I’m a mess, Dominic” I raise the bottle to my lips, pressing the thick glass to my lips that are still sore and swollen from Dash’s kisses.

“Mila,” he shifts his body so his shadow covers me.

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