AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because it’s none of your business!”
“No? Well, ‘it’s happening in front of me,’so by your definition itismy business.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“That’s exactly what you meant. The rule just doesn’t apply to you, apparently. You get to play hero and martyr all day long, but we’re not allowed to look out for you, fight for and protectyou, is that it? Why can’t you sleep, Tristan? What monsters are waiting for you in the dark? Who the hell is Felton?”
Oh god.
I can’t breathe as I back into the door.
“I’m not doing this,” I spit out, fumbling behind me for the handle. I pull it open and escape into the hall.
“Who’s Felton?” Isabel calls after me as I march away.
“Stop!” I shout back.
“Why can’t you answer a simple question?” she returns, just as upset.
“Because it has nothing to do with you!”
“It has everything to do with me as someone who cares about you.”
“Cares? You hated me until two days ago.”
“That’s not fair, and you know it,” she shouts, chasing after me.
She’s right. It doesn’t matter.
“I’m done talking about this.”
“Done? You haven’t even started talking about it!” she cries, cornering me in the living room. I have nowhere to go as she blocks the hallway, and I steel myself for battle.
“And I’m notgoingto talk about it. Why can’t you just accept that?”
“Because pain doesn’t magically go away by ignoring it! All you’re doing is giving it more power.”
“Why? Because I won’t share my trauma with you?”
“Because you won’t share it withyourself!”
The blow hits low and hard. I can’t speak as I stare at her, sucking in fractured air.
“You’re keeping yourself locked in an emotional prison, and it will break you, Tristan,” she says, softer. “It willbreak you.”
It doesn’t even matter if she’s right because I don’t want this conversation. No, not that. I can’t handlethis conversation.
Her anger melts further as she takes a step forward.
“Tristan, please.”
I shake my head and step back.
“Will you just—”
“I’m not doing this, Isabel.”
“Please, just—”
