Chapter 63: I Am Not the Only One in Love with Blaze Xander

~“How unfair, it’s just our luck, found something real that’s out of touch but if you’d searched the whole wide world, would you dare to let it go?” —Birdy.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Not About Angels” by Birdy.

HARMONY

Blaze attempts to loosen the girl’s thin arms from around him, but she only clings tighter, pulling him so close it looks almost painful.

Her golden eyes close as tears stream down her face, her sobs soaking his T-shirt.

“I thought I was over you. I thought I moved on, but the moment I saw you...I’m back to square one.”

Blaze rolls his eyes. “Get off me, please.”

“No. I won’t let you go.” She shakes her head, pressing herself even closer to him. A wave of jealousy washes over me. “I won’t let you go. Not again. I don’t care what my brother or anyone says, I won’t—”

“Maddie!”

I turn to see an irate Malcolm storming towards us. My mouth falls open as I watch the scene unfold.

He grabs her hand, pulling her away from Blaze and to his side. “Seriously? He hurt you enough!”

She looks down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, as she continues to cry softly.

My eyes drift to where their hands are joined, and I notice several thin black lines circling her wrist like a bracelet.

But it’s not for decoration, it’s a symbol of self-inflicted pain.

~Has she been cutting herself? Wait, is she—?~

Blaze’s sigh interrupts my thoughts. “This is exactly why I hate Homewood. I just got back and already I’m dealing with this crap. Seriously, I should just switch universities.”

His previously sweet demeanor has vanished in an instant.

“Stay away from her, Blaze. She won’t end up in the hospital again because of you,” Mal snaps, confirming my suspicions.

Malcolm’s sister.

“Mal, please,” she pleads. “Don’t talk to him like that.” She turns to Blaze, who looks thoroughly disgusted.

“I’m sorry, Blaze. What happened wasn’t your fault. Please don’t be upset. I don’t blame you; I’ll never blame you. Please don’t listen to Malcolm.”

Her voice breaks, and she covers her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Blaze mutters something under his breath. “Psycho...,” he says, just loud enough for me to hear.

That was harsh, but not surprising. I know how cruel Blaze can be.

But why would he call her a psycho? There’s more to this than her suicide attempt.

He clearly doesn’t care about her, yet she still loves him. I guess I’m not the only one hopelessly in love with Blaze Xander.

“My sister was diagnosed with PTSD and depression,” Mal says. “She could easily relapse. Please, just stay away from her, Blaze.”

He sighs. “Trust me, you don’t have to worry about me getting close to her, Malcolm. You should warn ~her~ about that.”

“I don’t want to be away from you, Blaze. Can’t we at least be friends?” Her eyes are hopeful, and it breaks my heart.

She’s so beautiful, and the thought of her almost taking her own life is heartbreaking.

I can’t help but feel jealous of how open she is about her feelings for him, but she’s so sweet and innocent that I can’t imagine hating her.

“No, Maddie.” Mal rolls his eyes. “You can’t be friends with him. Just let him go, okay? He’s hurt you enough!”

“You don’t understand!” she yells at her brother, and I flinch at the sudden increase in volume. “I love him, okay?! I love him and I can’t be away from him!”

I’m stunned. My eyes widen, and my jaw drops at her bold confession.

A few people are now looking our way, but she doesn’t seem to care about the attention she’s drawn as she glares at Malcolm with red, angry eyes.

Blaze rubs his forehead, a mix of annoyance and frustration on his face. “We’re back to this again. See? You should warn ~her~, Malcolm, not me. You guys are giving me a headache.”

He walks away, and Maddie tries to follow him, but Mal grabs her arm and pulls her back. “Maddie, don’t.”

She closes her eyes, and tears slip from beneath her lashes.

Mal finally looks at me and gives a half-hearted smile, but his eyes are filled with worry. “Hey, haven’t seen you in a while.”

I smile back. “Well, I’ve been here. Are you okay?”

“Something like that.”

Maddie wipes her eyes with the back of her hand and turns to me. “Are you friends with Blaze?”

I glance from Mal to her, unsure of how to answer. Blaze and I are definitely more than “just friends.”

“Um, actually we—”

She grabs my hands in hers, and her brother rolls his eyes and puffs out his cheeks behind her.

“Please, can you talk to him for me?” she begs, fresh tears welling in her eyes. “Please? I just want to be friends with him, that’s all. Can you talk to him for me, please?”

I look at Mal, who just sighs and looks away, clearly exhausted.

She grips my hands tighter as she waits for my answer. She looks so sad, and it’s heartbreaking. My heart aches for her.

I manage a small smile. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

Her smile lights up her face as she suddenly pulls me into a hug. ~Well, she’s a hugger.~ I stiffen at the unexpected contact, my hands hovering in the air, unsure of what to do.

“Thank you...” She chokes out, her words muffled against my shoulder. “Thank you so much.”

I manage a smile and gently pat her back, all while Mal watches us, a worried look etched on his face.

I meet his gaze, offering him a silent reassurance, and he manages a small smile. He knows his sister won’t heed his advice.

I’ve always been this way, a hopeless do-gooder, always feeling the need to lend a hand.

But sometimes, being too kind, wanting to save the world—it can backfire, can’t it?