Page 119 of Introvert

He shook his head, but I felt more than saw it in the darkness.

"I'd never forgive myself if I broke your heart," he finished.

A moment passed.

Then another.

And another.

I got the feeling he was waiting for me to say something, but I had nothing.

"You understand, right?" he asked.

It was difficult to speak; I prayed my voice didn't betray me.

"Yeah," I said finally, "yeah,of course.If you need space, I can give you that. I wanted to try, but…it's not like this could last anyway. The tour's almost over."

Felix was quiet.

"Your mom's the one who pointed it out. I'll be going back to school, and you'll get even more famous. This is probably for the best."

Slowly, I pulled away, and he didn't try to stop me.

Felix stood. "I think I'll sleep in my bed tonight."

"Okay," I said and watched him go.

After I was sure he was far enough away, I let the tears fall silently in a continuous stream, soaking the material beneath my cheek. I knew it wasn't true. Felix was nothing like his father.Buthe needed to know it too. I couldn't fault him for trying to save both of us.

What he said followed me into a dreamless sleep.

I'd never forgive myself if I broke your heart.

But he did.

The pieces lay around me in this bed and on the pillow that still smelled like him.

The worst part?

I would still give him my heart again.

Even knowing he would break it.

Even knowing how it would end.

Who knew love could hurt this much?

#

"What's with you two?"

Izzy stared first at Felix and then me with narrowed eyes, tapping her foot.

"Something's different," she added.

"Don't know what you mean," Felix said.

"Me neither," I said.

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