I Hate You More

by Alexandra Moody

“Ally,” Chase said, his eyes growing wide with shock as he realized what I’d just overheard.

“You may hate me,” I said, my voice quiet and detached as I stared at him with loathing. “But I can guarantee you this: I hate you more.”

“Ally,” he said in greeting. “Satan,” I replied. “Back already? I would have thought you were too busy destroying innocent souls in L.A.”

Like all hazardous substances, being close to Chase was going to slowly but surely destroy me.

I shook my head. “No, it was totally my fault. I’m kind of accident-prone and have a reputation for tripping on things that aren’t there. My food probably would have ended up on the floor even if you weren’t standing there.”

I glanced over my shoulder and flushed when I saw Luke watching me from across the room. He was sitting at a table with my brother and my nemesis, of all people. But he wasn’t the only one watching me. Chase was also looking in my direction, and for a moment, I couldn’t see any of the usual contempt he held toward me flaring in his eyes. As soon as I caught him watching though, he looked away.

passed. I was a girl who lived her every moment by the plans she’d made in her diary. I didn’t like to go off script or make waves, but when someone disturbed my tranquil waters, they better believe I’d be coming for them like a tsunami.

Note to self: Ally’s eyes are hypnotic and should be avoided at all costs if I ever want to disagree with her.

always thought of my brother as a sun and Chase as the thundercloud that followed it everywhere it went. But, when Chase smiled, he transformed into a star of his own that shone far brighter than I ever realized.

“I think you’re always going to drive me

crazy, Ally,” he murmured. “But I think I’m starting to like it.” He pulled his hand back.

“I didn’t have a choice, Ally, because if I didn’t hate you, I would love you, and loving you would only break my heart.”

were real, because we are what happens when things don’t go to plan.” He closed the distance between us once more until our bodies were but a breath apart. “And because I miss every damn thing about you, including every little thing I thought I hated. You are the most stubborn, most annoying pain in the ass I’ve ever known, but you’re my pain in the ass, and I’m not letting you throw us away.”

I blew out an irritated breath. “You can’t just decide that everything will be fine when it won’t be. We. Can’t. Be. Together.” He grinned in response. “Yes. We. Can.” I folded my arms across my chest. “Have I ever told you that you are the most irritating person alive?” “Plenty of times.” “Then why are you being so pigheaded about this?” “Because, princess, we’re going to be together.” “But I’ve already explained why we can’t.” “Yes, but I’ve already spoken with your dad, and we can.” My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. “What?” “I talked to your dad and told him that I was in love with you. And that if we didn’t kill each other, I could make you happy.” “You what?” He smiled. “He seemed a little concerned at first and was worried about your grades and dating a boy you lived with and all. But I managed to get him to come around.” “And how exactly did you do that?” “Well, I said that if our relationship became a problem he could kick me out immediately and I wouldn’t be a distraction anymore because I would be living out of state. I also explained to him how our proximity was actually a good thing.