The Locket by K J Bell

to show him how much he was getting to me. I didn’t want him to know the effect he had on me.
    “Sorry, I can’t,” he replied instantly. His short and downright rude response had my blood boiling.
    “You can’t or you won’t?” I echoed bitterly.
    “What do you want from me, Claire?” he asked casually, shrugging his shoulders, displaying his complete lack of interest.
    “Did I do something to upset you?” I inquired, suddenly regretting my decision to confront him. I felt so rejected. How had I not seen the two of us had lived two completely different truths yesterday? My day had been wrapped up in him like a love sick teenager. His had been manipulating that knowledge to help his grades, and when I hadn’t jumped at the opportunity to do so, he was done with me. I liked my version of the day better, but apparently it had been a lie.
    “You know what, Brent, never mind. Obviously you aren’t anything like I thought you were,” I stressed sharply. My anger kept me grounded to the spot in front of him, begging him to offer me something – anything – to explain his mood.
    “Whatever,” he spat with fiery indignation in his eyes, before leaving me standing in my own personal pity puddle. I wanted to drown in it.
    Thankfully, I was too angry to cry and the rest of the day flew by. I went to my locker after class and could feel him behind me. Turning to see him talking to Riley, Brent shot a glance my way but then bowed his head and turned away. Riley smiled at me and waved. I returned the gesture and headed for the parking lot determined not to think about him .

CHAPTER 5
    “Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” – Bruce Lee
    S itting in the driveway at my aunt’s house for over an hour, I questioned every conversation I had with Brent, why I felt so drawn to him. His behavior today made it clear that he was not interested in me at all. No matter how hard I tried, I refused to accept that. The way he looked at me or smiled while I spoke, I was sure he liked me. So, why was he so cross with me today? I wanted to believe he was just a shallow teenager who didn’t want to associate with me so as not to damage his precious reputation. But then why defend me with Logan? He had been completely possessive of me with Logan. Pieces to yet another puzzle in my life were definitely not fitting together.
    Something tightened in my chest when I realized, this was exactly the reason I had never gotten close to anyone. I broke my own rule, allowing myself to feel for this boy and now I was in too deep to turn those feelings off.
    Staying in the car for several more minutes, I wiped away the first – of what I was positive would be many – tears over this boy, and pulled myself together. Maggie didn’t need to see me this way, especially over something so pathetically teenage. She had enough to stress about with me still grieving my parents – my parents, who should be here – dammit . If they were here, none of this would have happened because we would still be in San Diego. I would be on the beach doing homework, warding off an angry seagull trying to steal a chip from my hand. I wouldn’t be here feeling abandoned and ashamed. I wouldn’t be here thinking about Logan. I wouldn’t be here thinking about some stupid boy named Brent that I had deluded myself into thinking had feelings for me. Maybe I should talk to Maggie. I needed someone to help me sort this out and she was a great listener. Blinking my sad thoughts away, I opened the car door and exited.
    Leaves swirled around the entry way as I approached the house. Looking like miniature tornadoes, the movement matched the feelings in my heart, erratic and uncontrolled. I paused with my hand on the knob, holding back my desire to get back in the car and