To Hate Adam Connor

by Ella Maise

That’s the tricky part, isn’t it? You have to let love in. You have to open yourself up, share your least lovable parts, the deepest, darkest corners of your soul. That’s the only way to experience real love.

And isn’t that how it goes? You get over the guy way before you get over the memories.”

Not everyone gets their happily ever after, and that’s totally okay. I’m totally okay with that fact.

“I’m sorry for watching you, okay,” she grumbled. “It was the biggest mistake of my life. You’re not even that hot from this close. If I could take it back, trust me, I would. You are nothing like what I thought you’d be.” “Thanks,” I drawled. “And here I was hoping you were in love with me.”

“I don’t do love, and you’re not my type anyway, sorry.” Like I’d believe that after I saw the pictures she’d taken of me half-naked. “My heart is fucking broken, sweetheart.”

“I don’t think I like you that much either, so you don’t have to feel bad about it.” “I wasn’t feeling bad, but thanks.”

“What are you gonna do? Spank my ass?” “Don’t go and give me any ideas now.”

“I don’t have a home.” “Tonight you do.”

There was something special about falling in love with fictional characters through words.

Hell, I was seconds away from letting my inner singer out to play and singing him “Pillowtalk” by Zayn.

“What did you wrap around your heart to protect yourself, beautiful girl?” I asked, letting my fingertip trail down from her cheek to her chin. Her eyes cut to mine, and I knew I had her attention. “I see you unwrap it, whatever it is you have around your heart, so I know it’s there. You change when you are with your friends, with Aiden, but as soon as you can, you wrap it back up. I hope it’s not a steel cage, Lucy. I hope you’re being gentle with your heart, taking care of it for me.”

The feeling of security that someone was there to hold you up when gravity was too much to handle on your own, that you had someone you could trust enough to let go.

“Do you like dancing?” I asked, ignoring common sense. “No.” “Oh,” I said, surprised. “Okay.” “Ask me anyway,” he countered. I hesitated. “Will you dance with me?” “Yes.”

“I’m going to un-break your heart, Lucy,” he promised in a low voice.