MINE by Aljano (children's ebooks online .txt) 📖

It is the last day of junior year and I am finally going home. I had so many last minute things I needed to work out I’m going to be late. I won’t get to go back to my secret place.
“Merce!” I glance over my shoulder and catch sight of Kyle Duncan. It looks as though he ran the whole way. He bends over double to catch his breath, blonde hair shielding his face from view. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you; where did you go?” Where did I go. It is a simple question and yet I hesitate. I don’t want anyone to know.
“Nowhere in particular, just walking. Why?” He has caught up to me now and towers over me. I blow a spring of caramel curl out of my eyes and squint up at him.
“I-I mean… there is something I have to tell you.” He fiddles with the collar of his shirt and, I might be wrong, a slight blush appears across his tanned face.
“What is it?” I ask a little shyly. I am not usually a shy person but this is headed into unfamiliar territory and I don’t know to act.
“I-” He takes a deep breath and straightens up. “I really like you. Let’s go out.” My heart stops for a moment. Go out? Is he serious? Kyle is one of the most popular guys at our school, not to mention one of the most handsome. My cheeks turn red at the thought that someone actually likes me, then an even deeper shade because it’s Kyle.
“S-sure.” I can’t help the stammer that slips out. Nervous laughter makes me look up. Kyle runs a hand through his hair, indigo eyes sparkling.
“Thank god. I thought you were going to reject me.” He reaches down and trails a hand down my face, cupping my chin. “Now, we seal it with a kiss.”
When his lips meet mine I melt. I have never been so happy in my life…

It has been nearly a year since that fated day. At first I was happy. We were happy. But Kyle… Kyle has a temper and a nasty jealous streak. I can’t talk to other guys, I can’t go out in certain outfits that he considers too provocative, I can’t even hang out with my girlfriends anymore because they are a “bad influence”. I used to be so outgoing 2
it’s kind of scary how submissive I’ve become. At first it was so he wouldn’t be mad at me, I didn’t want to lose him. Now…I don’t know how I feel about anything. The door slams open with a crash and I look up, startled. He shouldn’t be here.
“Merce! Where are you! I know you’re in here. Did you think I wouldn’t find your little hidey-hole? That you could do whatever you like and I wouldn’t find out about it? Come out here now! I want to see your face.” I’m trembling uncontrollably at this point. I know what he is referring to. I was asked to help lead prom committee. This is completely out of the question according to Kyle but I really wanted to do it so I accepted.
If I don’t come out soon he will only be angrier. I should come out but I’m scared. What if he is more angry than I thought? What if I lose him? A traitorous thought echoes: What if he hurts me? He wouldn’t. He loves me. I slowly extend out of my crouch and walk into the fading light of the abandoned building. Kyle spins on his heel when he hears me approaching. The expression on his face terrifies me but I don’t stop until we are face to face. He towers over me like he did that day only this time it is in anger and I am afraid.
“Why did you accept?! I told you not to.” His nostrils flare and his eyes burn brightly. I quiver. “Well?”
“I-I just wanted to help. You can be on the committee too, we can work together.” I stare at my shoes and twist my fingers together. Please let him forgive me.
“Merce.” I look up and meet his eyes. He squeezes my shoulders. Hard.
“If that is what you intended why didn’t you just tell me. Why did you run away?” Tears pool in my eyes.
“I wasn’t trying to run away. I come here when I need to think. You know that.” He sighs and nods his head.
“I know.” Some of the pressure lets up. “Sorry for over-reacting, you know how I get when I’m with you. I don’t want to share.” He smiles down at me and I know by the way he looks at me that I am forgiven. He kisses my forehead and sighs again. Completely relieved I relax into him, encircling his waist in my embrace. “You win. We’ll 3
join the committee. But if anyone hits on you we’re gone, got it?” I nod my acceptance.

Later that day I sit alone in my room contemplating our relationship in general and again what happened today. Did I give in too easily? Do I even still love him? It feels really nice when I’m with him and he isn’t angry and I love the attention. But he is angry so often… is it really worth it? Will I have to ask permission to do everything from now on? Who am I kidding I’ve been asking permission since day one. Did I even really love him at all? I loved the attention and I loved the idea of having a boyfriend.
I sigh and roll over onto my side. I am such a horrible girlfriend for even thinking of these things right? There are plenty of girls that would kill to be Kyle’s girlfriend. Sigh…
I put away thoughts of Kyle and think of prom. I need to help thrash out the details, color schemes and theme. We have a general idea but we need to narrow it down. Thinking of this makes me think of Connor Lewis. He is a sweet guy with bookish good looks. Soft brown curls and rectangular wire rim glasses framing chocolate brown eyes. We’ve known each other forever though we never really spoken that much. I regret not doing so. I wish I could have known him better. I fall asleep thinking of his soft laughter.

I knew it would be busy but I didn’t think it would be this busy. I’ve been running around all afternoon. The DJ keeps canceling, no one can agree on what food to serve, and the Art students refuse to help make the decorations. They said they were way to busy with finals for that. I understand their situation but the situation it’s putting us in is making me want to pull my hair out. A tap on my shoulder alerts me to someone else’s presence.
“The DJ called again.” It’s Connor. He looks frazzled and flushed. I don’t think he was prepared for this either.
“Please tell me he didn’t cancel.” My voice is weary and pleading. It will be so hard to find a new one.
“Sorry.” Connor shrugs his shoulders apologetically. “Scott keeps 4
begging us to let his band play. Why not give them a listen and see if they will do?” He suggests politely. I think it over.
“It’s a great idea. I’ll go ask Winrey.” Winrey is the head of the committee. He nods his thanks. Connor finds Winrey intimidating. So do I.
I make my way across the gym halfway ignoring the chaos around me. I don’t want to get caught up in a side project and forget what I’m supposed to be doing. I spot Winrey working on the entryway and maneuver my way to her. It takes a while and she’s on the phone with the photographer when I get there.
“No, I told you blue flowers. Blue!” she hangs up abruptly. She notices me. “What do you want.” It’s kind of a disgusted statement rather than a question. She’s one of the girls willing to kill for Kyle.
“The DJ fell through again and I was wondering if we could give Scott’s band a try.” I mentally cross my fingers. Winrey sighs.
“Oh, all right. I suppose we can give him a try, if there’s nothing else.” Not very encouraging but I’ll take it. Now, to find Scott…

We stayed and worked for hours. Scotts band made it so we had to start building a bandstand per Winery’s orders. And it took forever. I was glad when we decided to call it a night. As I was leaving Connor stopped me. He handed me a letter and told me not to read it until I was alone. So here I sit, alone in my abandoned warehouse, aka: my secret place, holding the letter in front of me. I’m a little nervous though I can’t imagine why. I have no reason to be. But if Kyle caught me with this… I shake the thought away and open the letter.

Dear Merce,
I have to get this off my chest. You’re an amazing girl, one that I find myself drawn to. Because of your laughter and that smile. Because of your kindness and beautiful nature. Because you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I’ve been in love with you for so long a time now I can scarcely remember when I started. When we first 5
met? The first time you smiled at me?
I know I shouldn’t be telling you this now, when it’s to late, But I don’t believe it is. I don’t think you really love Kyle, and I know he doesn’t love you; Not like I do. I would never hurt you, and I’d never let anyone else do so either. I wouldn’t have even brought this up but…
You’re afraid of him. When he walks into the room you tense and your smiles never reaches your eyes. I can protect you from him. I can make you happy. Please…
Love,
Connor

I suck in a breath, astonished. He loves me. Connor loves me. I try to think of a time when Kyle has actually told me he loved me. I can’t. He never has, I’ve always just assumed. Now I try to think of the last time he even acted as if he truly liked me. My mind automatically jumps back to that first day, when he reeled me in. He doesn’t love me, and he never has. But what do I do about it? Connor is right, Kyle scares me. I don’t know how to leave him.
Even contemplating the idea fills me with dread and terror. What will he do to me if I tell him we’re through? He freaked out so badly yesterday over me joining the committee I’d hate to see him really p*****. would he hurt my family? My friends? Or.. Connor? I couldn’t bare it if any of them got hurt. Maybe I should just muddle through and hope he’ll dump me.
Yeah, like everything is just gonna work itself out. I’m to old to believe in fairy tales like that. I can’t depend on magic, I have to do things on my own. If I wanna break it off with Kyle I have to man up and just do it. But how to do it…. It would have to be in a public place so he can’t do anything to me.