Irregular Heartbeat by B.A. Gabrielle

Author:B.A. Gabrielle [Gabrielle, B.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B.A. Gabrielle
Published: 2017-12-23T22:00:00+00:00

“Can you remember who you were before people told you who you ought to be?”

— Anonymous

8

Boiling Point

June 7th, 20XX

6:32 PM

If this was the way I was supposed to be reunited with my dad, I never expected it to be with Hayden. Because of my sprained ankle, Mr. DiMaggio told Hayden to carry me to my house. The hospital, my school, and my house are all in walking distance of each other, so at best it should be a thirty-minute trek. He’s been eerily quiet.

“Um, Hayden?” I say. “Are you upset?”

The clouds cover the full moon in the sky, making the evening ear chillier than usual. It’s a welcome change from the blazing summer sun.

“Hell yeah,” he sighs. “Damn it. Why is that old bastard making me do this?”

I’ve heard that sharp tone before. It’s the rude Hayden I met in the hospital. I haven’t gotten used to him switching between personalities yet, but I manage to speak back this time.

“You could have just said no.”

“You don’t know anything,” he snaps. “If I could deny him, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

His words take me back to the exchange I had with Mr. DiMaggio. We were interrupted in the middle of our conversation, but from what I heard, I don’t feel like talking to him ever again.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my breath melting into the humid air. “It’s my fault.”

“What are you apologizing for?” he sighs, shaking his head. “This is why I don’t like you. You have no self-esteem.”

It hurts, but he’s right. I lift my head when I see the porch light. He walks up the steps and presses the doorbell, looking unfazed. He said he’s been in the hospital for all his life, but he doesn’t look nervous in the least to meet a stranger.

“Eliana, where have you—” My mom freezes when she opens the door. She’s still in her work clothes, including her red-hot heels and tight bun. She adjusts her glasses as she stares at Hayden.

“She sprained her ankle being stupid, so my bastard grandfather told me to carry her home,” he says, his sharp tone unchanged. “Be grateful.”

“Eliana,” my mom turns to me.

I can already see where this is going.

“Um, ah…” I stutter, sliding off his back. I place a hand on the rail to support myself. “He’s—”

“Hayden,” he interrupts, holding out a hand.

Ignoring him, she grabs my hand and drags me with her. A sharp pain shoots up my ankle, but I do my best to endure it. I don’t even have time to thank him before the door slams in his face.

“Let go!” I shake my arm from her grasp. “Is that how you thank someone?”

“Eliana, listen to me,” she places her hands on my shoulders. This is the first time in a while I’ve seen her look so serious about anything. “He’s dangerous. He’s… your poison.”

“My poison?” I furrow my brows. “Okay mom, now you just sound crazy.”

“Do you understand what you’ve done?” she yells, making me flinch. “He’s the one who—”

“You two get along as usual.

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