Dare You to Hate Me by B. Celeste (classic fiction .txt) 📕

“I can see it now.” She points toward his eyes, which are the same bright shade of unique honey brown as mine. Everyone used to say it’s where the similarities stopped in both looks in personality. Porter was the spoiled youngest child, and I was the bitter older one.

I guess nobody was wrong in that assessment, but it didn’t stop me from being irritated over the commentary when they didn’t know the reasons I had to be bitter.

I don’t want to see your face again.

My heart threatens to crack further, but I hold it together the best way I can. Those words propelled me to act—to run.

“I didn’t know he played,” I admit. It’s a whisper to the air, yet Raine still hears as I examine the computer screen. His hair isn’t nearly as curly as it was but cut short and styled with either gel or sweat.

“You don’t stay in touch?”

Licking my bottom lip and wincing at the slice of pain over how chapped they are from the cold weather, I shake my head. “I don’t talk to anyone in my family. It’s…uh, complicated.” My attention shifts back to her. “I want to reach out though. Maybe give him my number if I work up the courage to.”

The softness on her face returns. “I think that’s a great idea. I’m sure he’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

I swallow my doubt. “Yeah.”

If I were in his shoes, I’m not sure I’d feel the same. The night I left home I cracked his bedroom door open slowly to see his sleeping form in bed. I walked in, pulled the blanket up to tuck him in like I used to help Mom do, and whispered, “Good luck.”

We haven’t seen each other since dinner that night, where the last words he said to me were, “I wish I were an only child.”

Someone calls Raine’s name, causing her to look over her shoulder and lift a finger up in wait. When she turns back to me, I’m not sure why I blurt, “Can I ask you something?” but I do.

Her eyebrows practically dart up to her hairline. “Of course. Sure.”

Rubbing my thighs with the heels of my palms, I stifle a small sigh. “Has Aiden been happy? I mean, like, really happy. Before I…”

She blinks slowly, then a knowing smile creeps up at the corners of her lips as she drops her gaze to the floor for a moment to collect herself. “Aiden has always been serious about everything since he got here. Caleb could barely get a word out of him at first. Some of the guys thought he was mute or stuck up until my boyfriend managed to crack his shell. When you showed up…” Her shoulders lift. “Cal mentioned that you two knew each other from when you were younger. I think it’s great that you both wound up here even if it was by random luck. Aiden’s dedication to building his future probably produces some happiness, but personally, I think he deserves more of it. Sports can only get people so much, you know?”

“Money makes people happy.”

“But people are the biggest source of it,” she counters pointedly.

I press my lips together for a moment. “I think people can also cause the most pain in the long run, especially the people closest to you.”

For a few heartbeats, she’s quiet. “That’s a sad way to look at it. But I guess you’re not wrong. The people we care about most have power to hurt us the worst.” Not expecting her agreement, my eyes go to hers. She adds, “But that doesn’t mean they do. A lot of times people use that as an excuse to not even try.”

This time, I’m the one staring down at my ratty winter boots. When I saw the first thin coat of white powder on the ground, I muttered the whole time I laced them up.

Raine clears her throat. “I came downstairs one night after Aiden moved you in, but you weren’t on the couch.”

Defense kicks in. “So?”

Her eyes brighten, but the rest of her expression is casual. “So, try with him. I think it’d be good for the both of you if you let things play out without thinking too much. He’s never let anyone in his life, shown so much interest in one person, as he has with you. That means something. And I know it’s probably complicated with the draft and his future. I’m not sure what I’d do if Caleb decided he wanted to go pro. But if there’s anyone who can figure it out, it’s you.”

“You don’t know me, Raine.”

“I know you’re the most stubborn, headstrong, and independent person I’ve ever met. I’m a little jealous of you, to be honest.”

I gape at her.

She laughs. “I am. I love my life, but sometimes I wonder what it’d be like to be on my own and be a bad ass like you are. You’re so…intense, but in a good way, you know? Driven like you’re always trying to prove something. It’s kind of motivating. I love Caleb though, and I’m happy with how things are so I wouldn’t change a thing. Think about what I said though, okay? Aiden’s a good guy too. Stubborn but good. I think he’s met his match with you.”

Silence greets her statement, so she nods over the conversation’s end. “I hope you hear from your brother. It’d be good to talk to family for the holidays. I’ll see you around. We could try grabbing food sometime again if you want.” When I nod, I watch her turn and start walking toward her friends but stop and look back at me again, nibbling her bottom lip. “Hey, Ivy? There’s something I think you should know. I heard some of the girls talking at the house after what happened with you, and it wasn’t really Syd’s idea to kick you out. I mean, sure she didn’t really like you for some