Fractures and Flames
432 Words
Title: Hearts on Fire
Chapter Four: Fractures and Flames
The halls of Jefferson High felt colder that Monday morning.
After the party and everything that happened between them, Eleanor had hoped things would settle into something steady. But nothing about Ryan Wolfe was steady—not his moods, not his glances, and definitely not his silence.
He hadn’t texted all weekend. Hadn’t shown up at their usual library meet-up. And now, as she walked past his locker, he wasn’t there.
Jasmine caught up with her by the lockers.
“You okay?” she asked.
Ellie gave a noncommittal shrug. “I think so.”
“Did something happen?”
Ellie hesitated. “Not… really. We kissed. Again. Then he got weird.”
“Weird how?”
“Distant. Like he regretted it.”
Jasmine frowned. “Or he’s scared.”
Ellie sighed. “That doesn’t make it easier.”
---
Ryan didn’t show up to class.
Or the next day.
By Wednesday, she was worried.
Rumors flew: “He got into a fight off-campus.” “He’s suspended again.” “He dropped out.”
She didn’t believe any of them. But she needed answers.
So she went to the only place she thought he’d be.
---
The skate park was empty, save for one lone figure on the rail.
Ryan.
Bruised knuckles. Bandaged cheek. Hoodie pulled low.
He looked up as she approached.
“You came.”
“You disappeared.”
He looked away. “Had some stuff to handle.”
“Like fighting?”
He didn’t deny it.
“Ryan, you can’t just vanish on me.”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
“From me.”
That stopped her.
“You think I can’t decide for myself?” she asked.
He stood. Walked over.
His eyes burned.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Ellie. And I do. Just by existing. Look at me. I’m a mess. I’ve got a record, a busted home, and a storm in my head that never quiets. You… you’re everything I’m not.”
She stepped closer.
“Maybe I’m not perfect either.”
“You’re too perfect. That’s the problem.”
“No,” she whispered. “The problem is you keep pushing me away when all I want is to be there.”
He swallowed hard.
“I’m falling for you,” he admitted. “And it scares the hell out of me.”
She reached up, touched his cheek gently.
“I’m already there.”
He kissed her like it was the only way to survive.
---
- Writer
