Page 62 of Red Flags Only

I see you being humble, asking for my help without an ounce of pride getting in your way, and I see you doing your best to make up for your perceived shortcomings when it comes to your work so that you can make life easier on your brother, and I see your flagging perfect face and I’m just –

Helpless.

I pause, pen hovering above the page, hesitant to put it to paper again. My heart beats fast in my chest, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Terror hits, and I wonder why.

Why would I be scared to tell Jove, my bestest friend in the entire world, how very much I cannot help but love him?

It’s not like I’min–

My pen drops.

Oh.

Oh no.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Remember, folks. He’s “not in love”.

Jove

The scent of ammonia fills my lungs and my nose scrunches, but I don’t stop spraying the consistent mist of barely watered down bleach across Chrissy’s lawn, finding my way through the grass by the light of a single flickering street lamp.

As I spray, I run through Lyra’s letter in my mind, over and over again, a disc on repeat.

Helpless, she said.

-helpless.

You’re a man any woman would be lucky to love, and even luckier to be loved by.

I don’t know if this letter is serving you the way you need, but I hope it’s helping, even if only a little. I want nothing more than every good thing for you, Jupiter. All of the goodness, just for you.

Yours forever and ever,

Lyra-love♥

I spray another line of bleach as I savor the knowledge that I have her forever – that she is mine. Because she’s helpless to resist.

My heart beats, and I know the rhythm must be hers.

I spray some more.

That people like Chrissy would take Lyra –myLyra – and crush her under their feet is an injustice I cannot stand. Even as my soul settles at having Lyra forever my friend, going nowhere, my blood boils at the pain she’s been through. Taught by her mother, then her “friends” that she deserves less than anyone’s best, that actually she is so lucky to get even their worst, it’s a miracle she’s survived this long.

My miracle.

My Lyra.

Mine. Forever and Ever.

Helpless.

That’s okay, though, because I am here to protect her in any way she may need. To care for her for all of that ever.

Her days of being helpless to anyone but me are over.

---