The Assassin's Destiny

Chapter 8: Bad endings

Chapter 8: Bad endings

Penelope

             I woke up alone in bed this morning. Argent was my first, and he left me as if last night didn’t mean anything to him. Okay, so maybe I seduced him, but he didn’t push me away. Lying back on the bed, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I didn’t know that s*x could be so all-consuming. The way Argent’s body molded to mine and the feel of him bringing me to pleasure was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

             However, all I feel now is a hollowness inside my heart. Since the moment we met, I’ve felt this connection to Argent and this urgent need that has overwhelmed me. He’s so aloof and broody that even now, I don’t know if he wants me or if I was just a convenient lay. Instead of feeling sexy, I feel unsure and used.

             For the rest of the day, instead of floating on a cloud, all I feel is a sense of disquiet.

             “Okay, I’m done with watching you mope around. Did something happen between you and Argent?” Lyria asks as we make our way across her school’s quad. 

             She’s been surprisingly patient for the past two days. I’m actually surprised it took her this long to question me about Argent. I don’t know if I would have had the fortification to wait if the tables were turned. I thought it would be easy to confess what occurred between Argent and me, but I hesitate.

             It’s not that I don’t trust her, because I do. Lyria and I have been friends since we were in fifth grade. I remember I was in the playground, rocking on the swing, when I saw a boy bullying this shy red-haired girl from my class. I remember her because I loved her hair and wished my hair was red.

             One minute I was happily swinging in my seat, and the next, I was walking toward him and punching him in the face. The boy recovered and tried to push me, but Lyria jumped on his back and attacked him. We’ve been life-long friends since then, and we’ve always had each other’s back. That’s why I decide to be honest with her. “I slept with him.”

             Lyria stops in her tracks, her hair fluttering wildly against the wind. “What? Are you kidding me? You had s*x with Argent? Why didn’t you tell me? Was it good? What happened?”

             I raise my hands up, trying to halt the barrage of questions. “Chill, Lyria. Yes, we did have s*x, and I didn’t tell you because even though the s*x was incredibly good, he left without saying a word to me. I feel so stupid.”

             Lyria’s brow furrows with anger. “What the hell? He just left? What a jerk!” Seething with rage, she pulls out her cell phone and unlocks the screen.

             “What are you doing?” I cry out as I take the phone from her hand before she can do anything.

             “I’m calling Argent, and I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. How dare he treat you that way? I could just kill him!”

             “You are most definitely not going to call him. Just leave it alone. He told me this is how it would be, but I chose not to listen, so I’m just going to move on. Please, Lyria.”

             Lyria’s face falls, sorrow clearly written on her face. “I’m so sorry, Pen. I promise I won’t call. Just keep in mind that I’m here for you, babe. And if you want me to go and kick his a*s, I will.”

             She does a karate chop and kicks her leg up in the air, then turns to me and smiles. “I got mad Judo skills now, and I’m sure I can bruise him before he kills me.” She says with a humorous chuckle.

             I laugh along with her imagining her trying to kick Argent’s a*s. After seeing him in action, I know she wouldn’t even get close enough to hurt him. But it’s the thought that counts.

             Rolling my eyes, I take her hand and lead her to a nearby coffee shop. We found the shop a couple of weeks ago and fell in love with its old-world charm. The owner, a little old man, will sometimes play the guitar for his patrons. It’s fun.

             Lyria and I order our coffee and take a seat at a small wooden table near the window. “Okay, so I don’t know if it’s the right time to tell you, after all that happened between you and Argent, but I figure it’s best that I don’t keep secrets.”

             Lyria crosses her hands on the table with a hesitant expression.

             Quirking a brow, I stir the spoon around my coffee then settle it next to my cup. “What is it?”

             Lyria bites her lips and takes a deep breath. “I met someone.” She answers in a rushed voice. I flinch for a moment but quickly recover. It’s not her fault that Argent humped and dumped me. Plus, I can’t begrudge her some happiness. Swallowing hard, I place my hand over her fidgety hands. “I’m glad for you, Lyria. Who is it?”

             Lyria’s chest deflates like a balloon, her breath wheezing out of her body. “Her name is Violet. She’s in one of my art classes. We’re having fun.” She states cautiously.

             I can tell that she’s expecting me to either reject her choice or approve it, and I must say I’m a little thrown to know she’s dating a girl. Not because I disapprove. Love is love, and I’ll always be happy for her. But she always seemed to be into guys.

             Eyes wide with curiosity, I lean closer to my friend and ask. “So when did you know you liked girls, and why am I hearing about this now?”

             Lyria shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to like guys too, but something about Violet made me feel this strong attraction that I’ve never felt with anyone else. But if that’s a problem, I can call it quits. Just say the word.” She says quickly.

             When Lyria panics, she tends to overreact. I know she doesn’t mean it; she’s just a little freaked out.

              I shake my head and settle back in the chair with a happy smile. “I’m fine with it, Lyria. I would never begrudge you for being happy. So, tell me more?” I ask in hopes of moving the conversation away from my sad thoughts.

             I’m glad that I do, too, because Lyria’s face instantly lights up with relief. “Oh, like I said, we’re just hanging out. She’s cute and a good kisser, but I’m no ready for anything heavy yet.”

             Smiling, I listen as my friend recounts her fumbling confession to the girl she likes. She tells me about how she told her that she liked her and that she wanted to be with her. I have to tamp down a twinge of jealousy when she tells me how happy she was when Violet said she liked her too. I wish things had turned out that way between Argent and me. I know he felt something. I could feel it in the way he touched me.

             My despondency accumulates with every day that passes without a word from him. A week has passed, and he hasn’t even bothered to check up on me. Mateo let it slip that Argent was out of the country, which in no way minimizes my hurt because he doesn’t need to be in Brazil to call me.

             Where Argent and I have fallen apart, Violet and Lyria seem to be having fun. Lyria says that it’s not serious, but who knows. I constantly find them cuddled together and kissing on the couch. Violet is amazingly sweet and gorgeous with dark cocoa skin, long curly brown hair, and a curvy body. Every time I see them, I feel the emptiness of my own loneliness.

             Last night, Dario called me and invited me to an art show. Not seeing any reason to decline, I accepted. At Lyria’s behest, I slipped on a sexy black maxi dress that I found at a nearby shop and slid on a pair of peep-toe heels.

             I won’t pretend that I don’t think Dario is sexy. Especially because he reminds me of Argent. But when I’m with him, the only thing I feel is friendship.

             “Did you know that I sold your painting?” He says as we stroll past several of his brilliant paintings.

             Surprised, I stop in my tracks and face him. “What? Did you? To who?”

             Dario shrugs his broad shoulders, wraps my arm around his forearm, and urges me forward. “I don’t know who it was. The buyer wanted to remain anonymous. But I sold it the day after your birthday celebration. The person paid top dollar for it.”

             I blink my eyes in surprise. “Really? Wow, that’s so crazy. I wish I knew who it was.”

             Dario shrugs. “You are now like the Mona Lisa, Anjo.” Angel. “Your picture will be immortalized in someone’s home for years to come.”

             A blush crawls up my neck at the thought that someone has hung a painting of my likeness in their home.

             Unfortunately, my levity lasts until I get back home. As I lie in my bed, I can’t help but think of Argent. I get so angry that I break my cardinal rule and text him.

             I was a virgin, you know?

             I look at the screen and rest my hand on my rapidly beating heart as I await a response. The question is, will he respond?

             My phone vibrates a moment later.

             I know. Argent replies without a follow-through or an apology.

             Swallowing down my tears, I type my response.

             You’re a coward.

             His response is a bit slower this time.

             I’m sorry. I can’t talk about this right now.

             Like before, his indifference leaves me hollow and alone.

             I guess you wish you could forget that night

             I resist the urge to toss my cell phone across the floor when I receive his final response.

             I will never forget that night.

             I don’t text back after that. The lump in my throat grows, but I don’t give into my melancholy. Apollo cuddles up next to me and licks my face, trying to comfort me, so I rub the top of his short, chocolate mane and kiss his nose as the tears continue to fall from my eyes. I feel like I’m living under a dark cloud, but I have no one to blame but myself. Argent warned me, and like a fool, I let him into my heart. And even after all of that, I still don’t regret sleeping with him. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.