Page 20 of Diverge

“We don’t have to talk about it right now.” He finally speaks, and it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because what would I say to him?

“Thank you,” I manage to say as I nod.

He helps me up off the floor where we ended up after I let myself be completely vulnerable. Smiling, he wipes the tears off my cheeks and gives me a small kiss.

“Don’t worry, I still find you attractive even if you are an ugly crier.” He smirks as I let out a small laugh and push him playfully. “I better go,” he says as he turns towards the door.

“Nate,” I call out, and he turns back to face me. “I’m really sorry about tonight.” And I am more sorry than he knows.

Nodding, he opens the door and leaves. Just like that, I am left with an ugly feeling inside my chest. I can’t help but feel that I should have told Nate about Finn. At least to some extent he should’ve known what to expect. I honestly did not expect Finn to show up at my door. Harass me via texts and calls, yes, totally did expect that, but him showing up at my door came completely out of left field, considering he didn’t know where I lived.

I shake my head.

Grace.

Of course. I understand how she would be feeling. Her brother came back from living overseas for years, and she wants everything to go back to normal.

I don’t think we could ever go back to what we were before, so she thinks sending her brother to try and ‘mend’ things with me would help. Unfortunately, I don’t see my friendship with Finn ever blossoming again.

I’ve burned that garden to the ground.

Or so I tell myself.

Walking to my bedroom, I plonk myself face first onto my bed and groan... ready for this night to be done.

Chapter Seven

Billie

Billie - Aged 15

I watch Finn playing volleyball with his friends as I lay on the beach with Grace next to me. Getting up, I brush the golden sand off my skin and announce I’m heading in the water. Finn calls out to wait for him, and I look back to see him running in after me as I enter the water in my tiny bikini. I swim out into the ocean, feeling the sun’s rays shine down on my body as I float on my back.

“Are you trying to get all my friends to chase you, B?” Finn asks sarcastically as he unapologetically runs his eyes over my body. “You know Cole already has a crush on you, right?”

Truth is, I don’t want his friends. I want him, but I’m too afraid to say it.

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