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

Maybe at Moe’s Dinner or at the Swift-Pick.
With my plan unfolding in my mind I get up and dust off my butt. It’s time to go on home. Hopefully tonight won’t be one of the nights Kyle decides to pop in for a visit. I need time alone, away from him. 6
When should I try this. Tomorrow? Next week? After prom? I decide I want it to be sooner. Now that I’ve realized the truth I know I can’t be with him, not a moment longer than I have to. So tomorrow it is. I’ll call him tonight and set up the “date”.
I get home without incident and the driveway is noticeably Kyle-free. I dash up to my room with a swift hello to my father. Once the door is firmly shut and locked I call Kyle. Hoping my breathing will stay normal and my shaky voice won’t give me away I wait for him to answer his phone.
“Hey, this is Kyle. I’m not available at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep.” *beep* thank god, I don’t even have to talk to him yet.
“Hey Kyle. Just wanted to know if we could get together at Moe’s tomorrow? 8:00? Well, see you then.” Man, I hope he comes. I can’t wait to be rid of him.
I shut my phone and shove thoughts of Kyle away. Instead of obsessing over what could happen tomorrow I get out Connor’s letter and re-read it. I still can’t believe he loves me. And for so long! I hug the letter to my chest and curl up on the fluffy green comforter. Everything will start for the better tomorrow.

I get to Moe’s at least an hour early. I didn’t mean to, I just can’t wait. While I am painfully aware that this could go horribly wrong I’m still holding out hope that everything will turn out okay. All I have to do is tell him I’m not in love with him. That I like him but it would be better if we were just friends. Yeah, that sounds reasonable. I can do this.
At exactly 8:01 the bell over the door gives a ring. Kyle has arrived. He strolls over to my table casually, relaxed. He has no idea what this meeting has in store for him. I try to stay calm as he reaches my side and bends over to give my temple a soft kiss. My resolve will stay firm. One act of kindness can not outweigh his overall horridness.
I think back to his tantrum the other day and how afraid I was. I straighten up, no longer so nervous.
“What’s with this all of a sudden? You never called me for date 7
before.” It’s true. He always set them up himself. I never asked for fear of a tantrum.
“There’s something we need to talk about.”
“Uh-oh.” He teases. When he sees that I’m serious his smile fades. I cut right to the chase.
“I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” The words make my insides quiver with fear but my voices holds firm.
“What.” His tone is quiet, deadly.
“I really like you but I’m not in love and I don’t think you are either. It’s not fair to either of us to keep this going if it’s just going to lead nowhere.” Surprisingly, my voice is still steady. Please, please let him agree.
“This is because of him isn’t it.” His statement startles me and the acid in it makes me flinch.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with anyone but you and me. I don’t want to be with someone I’m not in love with.” The anger in my voice surprises me. I’ve never talked to him like this before.
“You don’t love me? Then why the hell were you with me all this time you slut.” My throat burns as tears pool in my eyes. I try my best not to let my lips quiver as I give him the finger and leave.
Stupid man! Well I’m not with now, am I? that thought stops me short. I’m not with him anymore. I’m free. The thought makes me so happy I jump into the air then do a little victory dance. I’m free. I can do whatever I want now. No more asking Kyle for permission. I won’t have to go with him to prom. Connor can ask me and I can say yes. Oh, Connor! I have to go see him now.

I had to ask around for his address but it was well worth it, for now I stand on his front porch bursting with good news. I nervously straighten my clothes and finger comb my hair. When I realize all this will probably do no good and I’m just wasting time I knock on the door. After a minute of standing in silence I hear approaching footsteps and the door opens. A woman that appears to be in her late thirties with curly brown hair and kind hazel eyes stands before me.
“Hello Mrs. Lewis. Is Connor home?” I’m a little shy but at least 8
she doesn’t look put out. In fact, she smiles.
“You would be miss Merce I presume. Connor can’t stop talking about you. All good things I swear. Connor! Guest!” footsteps on the stairs and then there he is, barefoot and hair ruffled from bed. When he sees who it is a flush colors his cheeks.
“Merce!” His voice is surprised but pleased, excited even.
“Connor.” I reply, then nod like an idiot. “Umm… I wanted to talk to you.” he rakes a hand through his hair then gestures back up the stairs.
“In private?” I nod in relief and follow him upstairs. He opens the door to his room and gestures for me to go first, all gentleman gallantry. I perch on the edge of his bed and he sits beside me, staring at the carpet. I look around, noticing the Spartan furnishings and cool colors.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” There is a slight hitch in his voice. He’s nervous. It makes me a little braver.
“Your letter. Did you really mean it?” If I’m not mistaken his earlier blush returns with a vengeance. He looks me in the eye.
“Yeah, every word.” The words send a thrill through me.
“Then it’s a good thing I broke it off with Kyle, huh?” I say this casually, silently gauging his reaction. He gives a start, surprised, then a wide smile spills across his face.
“Does that mean you’re free for prom?” He hints innocently. I smile.
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Who’s asking.” His lips quirk.
“ And if it happens to be me?” I hold back a smile.
“Connor Lewis, are you asking me to prom?” his grin becomes more pronounced.
“Only if you say yes.” I shake my head and laugh. Of course I’ll say yes. Stupid man.
“I want a white corsage.”

The days went by in a blur of happiness and now prom is upon 9
us. I sit at my dresser, touching up my make-up one last time. I’m dressed in a pure white flowing gown with thin, delicate silver straps. My shoes are silver strappy heels with the tinniest diamond snowflake at the buckle. My hair is pinned in a loose bun with strands cascading down and over my shoulders. A silver headband with a single glittery snowflake finishes the look off.
The ringing of the doorbell sets me nervously on my feet. I can hear my father answering the door so I take my time down the stairs. About halfway down I hear someone gasp. When I see him in turn I have to hold in one of my own. I’d never thought a man could look so good in a tuxedo. I was wrong. Connor chose a pristine white tux that contrasts well with his tanned skin. The under shirt is black as night and a white bow-tie graces his neck. We’ll make a fine pair tonight. I descend the few remaining steps and go to him. He smiles brightly and hands me a box.
“It won’t do you justice.” I open the box to find a single white rose on a silver band. I bite my lip to hold in the happy tears.
“It’s beautiful.” I slip the band over my hand and onto my wrist. It’s a perfect fit. He takes my hand, his eyes shinning with adoration and maybe, just maybe, love.
We arrive in no time, the ride here a blur of wonder at being in a limo and at being in a limo alone with Connor. Earth Angel plays and we dance. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. The song ends and another, peppier one replaces it. Connor touches my elbow, leans in to whisper in my ear.
“I’m going to get us some drinks.” I smile and nod, my eyes lingering on his form as long as he is within sight.
Suddenly there is a hand on my arm, harsh and rough. Kyle. I spin on him, terrified.
“You are and will always be MINE.” Something sharp pokes me in the back. “We’re leaving. Now.”
He pushes me through the crowd determinedly and I obediently go. I have never been so terrified in my life. Please let no one notice. Please, please, please. No one deserves what Kyle has in store, he is mad at me an I will bear it alone.
10
When we make it our of the building he grabs me hard and drags me through the parking lot. I try to break away and he presses the point of his knife into my back until it draws blood. I cry out and stop struggling. We reach his black Jag and he throws me in. I climb over the seat as fast as I can and shove open the door but he’s already there. The blunt edge of the knife collides with my temple and down I go. I struggles to sit back up but a dizzy spell overtakes me and everything fades to black.

Cold tiles press against my check. I shiver and my shaky arms struggle to lift me off the floor. Once upright I look around with sick feeling twisting serpentine through my gut. I am in my secret place. Kyle looms above me with a look of cold disgust on his face. When he sees that I am finally awake he grins in triumph.
“let’s join the committee, we can work together.” He sneers. “ You joined for him didn’t you? The whole time you were lusting after that no good-” he stops to collect himself, pulling in air through his nose.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I just realized that I didn’t feel that way about you anymore and Connor-” He smacks me hard across the cheek.
“Don’t say his name in front of me you Bitch!” He shoves me back into the floor and hovers above me. “You publically humiliated me, left me for that bastard and now you have the gall to make excuses. You had your chance!” He raises the knife and I scream. Steel rips through flesh as it plunges into my chest over and over. Choking on my own blood I stare into his eyes as he bids farewell. “See you in Hell, Bitch.” The blade falls a final time and I am no more.

I’m floating in the darkness, held up by a circle of heavenly light. A man walks out of the darkness to join me. He has blonde