Chapter 51: Drowning In My Feelings

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry it’s driven us apart. I’m drowning in a sea of tears. I thought we could’ve lasted for years, and I still do. I want to spend my life with you.” —Rueben Gray.

Chapter Theme Song: “Lifeline” by Reuben Gray.

THIRD PERSON

“Harmony.”

Kite’s voice echoes behind her, his hand gently resting on her trembling shoulder.

“He’s not worth it if he can’t trust you.”

She spins around, tears streaming from her narrowed eyes. The sight of her sadness softens his gaze.

“Why, Kite? Why did you do that?”

His forehead creases, a hint of regret flickering in his amber eyes.

“I’m sorry, Harmony. But I can’t say I regret it. If I had to, I’d do it again.”

She stares at him, disbelief etched in her eyes. ~Is he even listening to himself?~ “How can you say that? I need to find him—I have to explain.”

She starts to walk away, but he grabs her elbow, stopping her. She yanks her arm away, anger flashing in her eyes. He sighs.

“Don’t you think you’re chasing after Blaze too much? If he can’t trust you, it’s pointless.”

“What would you have done if you were in his place? He walked in on us... doing that. It’s not fair to him.

“Why, Kite? Why did you do that? You know I love him, and you said you understood. Why would you—”

“He’s going to hurt you.”

“No more than I’ve already hurt him.”

Kite closes his eyes for a moment, as if her words have struck a nerve. “Are you two even dating?”

“No, but we— It’s complicated, okay? You wouldn’t understand. Things are different between us... It’s just different.”

“Don’t lie to yourself.”

She stares at him, unyielding. “I’m not lying to myself. I couldn’t leave him even if I wanted to. I made a promise to him, and I need to find him.”

She turns and walks away. He runs his fingers through his hair. “Damn it—fine, but if he hurts you, I’ll be here, Harmony!”

She doesn’t look back as she disappears around the corner.

***

Blaze was ten when he last experienced heartbreak. He has no idea how to handle the heavy weight of pain in his chest.

He considers going back to Homewood, but the thought of leaving Harmony alone with Kite is unbearable.

Despite his feelings of resentment and disappointment towards her, the idea of them being alone without his ~watchful eye~ is enough to drive him mad.

Luckily, Kite didn’t pay for his resort entry. He offered, but Blaze insisted on paying for his own ticket.

Money isn’t a problem for him—his father makes sure his bank account is always full. Maybe it’s his way of apologizing for ignoring the abuse Blaze suffered as a child.

Not even witnessing his mother’s suicide hurt as much as seeing the only girl he’s ever cared about kissing another guy.

Now, just when he’s starting to feel something after being ~emotionally dead~ for so long, he’s reminded why it’s better not to feel at all.

~Caring about someone else sucks.~

Desperate to forget the image of Harmony and Kite kissing, he grabs a cup of liquor from a nearby table and downs it.

The warm, tangy liquid slides down his throat but does nothing to ease his bitterness.

~Maybe he needs something stronger?~

His eyes scan the crowd, finally landing on Amber’s brown hair. He pushes his way through the crowd, nearly knocking a skinny kid into the pool. He doesn’t stop to apologize.

He grabs Amber’s arm. She’s about to yell at whoever grabbed her, but when she sees it’s him, she grins.

“Hey, baby.”

“Dance with me,” he demands.

“With pleasure.”

She turns her back to him and presses herself against him, moving rhythmically. Her arms wrap around his neck, and he tries to forget the ache in his heart.

“Want to go upstairs after this?” she asks over the music.

“Sure, whatever,” he replies, finishing his drink.

If it’ll help him forget about Harmony, even for a little while, he’s all for it.

***

Harmony scans the dock anxiously, looking for any sign of Blaze.

She hopes he hasn’t left yet. She can’t bear the thought of spending the rest of the day without making things right with him. It hurts too much when they’re not on good terms.

The music is deafening, and combined with the recent drama, it’s giving her a headache.

She pushes through the crowd, her eyes darting around in search of Blaze’s black cap.

Finally, she spots him. Relief floods her heart. She starts to move towards him, but then she sees something that makes her stop in her tracks.

He’s dancing with another girl.

Harmony feels a lump forming in her throat as fresh tears well up in her eyes.

But she doesn’t stop. She needs to talk to him, no matter how much it hurts.

“Blaze.” She touches his arm lightly. He turns to look at her. His face softens for a moment, then hardens again.

“What do you want?” His voice is cold. She swallows, glancing at the girl grinding against him.

Harmony quickly realizes it’s the same girl who had asked him to help with her bikini top earlier. She fights back tears, forcing herself to look at him. “Can we talk?”

His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “I’m busy, Harmony.”

He turns away, taking a long sip from his fresh beer. It’s clear he’s done talking.

Amber’s smug smile doesn’t waver as she watches Harmony’s heartbreak. She continues to dance against Blaze as if he’s a pole, not a person.

Harmony knows she should just walk away, but she can’t let it go.

“Blaze—”

“He said he’s busy, bitch!” Amber yells, getting in Harmony’s face. Blaze rolls his eyes, stepping between them and shooting Amber a warning glare.

“Don’t you dare. If you lay a finger on her, I swear to God—”

Amber rolls her eyes at his threat, crossing her arms over her chest and making her breasts pop out from her bikini top.

“Come on.” Blaze takes Harmony’s wrist, leading her away from the scene.