Glass Hearts [BL]-Chapter 245: You Can’t Heal If You’re Still Waiting for a Ghost

Chapter 245: You Can’t Heal If You’re Still Waiting for a Ghost

Ash’s POV

It’s been a week since I heard from Dominic.

One full week of ghosting.

A week of unanswered texts, missed calls, and blank notifications.

A week of long, heavy days.

The only place I see his face now is on TV..standing beside his dad during campaign rallies, or in TikTok edits with romantic background music and captions like "Estrella’s most eligible bachelor."

It’s insane. People are out there thirsting over him while I’m just trying to remember what his voice sounds like.

I hate those videos.

The way they slow down his smile, how they caption it with things like "He’s the dream every girl wants."

They don’t know that smile was mine once.

Ever since that stupid rumor spread, about his engagement to the mayor’s daughter...the whole town won’t shut up.

He’s in every conversation, every news clip, every whisper in the hallway.

But not here. Not in school.

He hasn’t shown up once this week.

He missed practice. Missed the game. His team lost without their captain, but he didn’t even text to apologize or explain.

Not a single word.

No "hey, I’m alive." No "sorry." Nothing.

He’s just gone.

Dominic always checked in...no matter what. Even when we fought, even when he was drowning in his father’s expectations, he’d find a way to let me know he was still there.

But this time... nothing.

And I keep wondering...if he’s really doing this to protect us from the Coil like Marcus said... could he at least just send me a text? Or tell someone his plan? Anything?

Because this silence feels like being punished for caring.

I thought I’d be angry.

But I’m just....tired. Too tired to even feel rage.

It’s like someone switched off the color in everything.

I barely smile now. I can’t even remember the last time I laughed at one of Marcus’s dumb jokes.

So yeah, maybe it’s better this way...filling my head with something else.

I’m starting work again at Mr. Sun’s Diner today. Anything to stay busy. Anything to stop my brain from replaying the last words he said to me.

I slammed my locker shut harder than I meant to.

June was leaning beside it, munching chips. "Jeez, violent much?" she said, raising her eyebrows. "You look like you just buried someone."

"Funny," I muttered. "Feels like I did."

Her smirk faded. "Still no word from Domin?"

I shot her a glare.

She stopped mid-sentence, and pretended to cough. "Right. Forgot. No mentioning He Who Must Not Be Named. My bad." She zipped her lips dramatically. "Wouldn’t want you to be angry at me."

"I’m not angry," I muttered, pulling my bag over my shoulder. "If I was angry, I’d be... yelling or something."

June chewed slowly, studying me as we walked down the hallway. "You do know people process anger differently, right? Some scream. Some throw things." She pointed at me with a chip. "And then there’s you the silent type. Which, honestly, is way scarier."

I laughed dryly. "Yeah? How so?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"You’re just trying to convince yourself."

"I’m not," I said too fast.

"Mm-hmm." She nudged my arm. "Ash, when’s the last time you actually ate something that wasn’t coffee?"

I rolled my eyes. "I’m fine, June! Can everyone just stop asking questions?"

She grinned. "I’m not gonna let you mope around forever."

I sighed. "He just... disappeared, June. Like I don’t even know if he’s okay. And I hate that I still care this much."

Her face softened instantly. "Ash... you love him. You don’t just switch that off because it hurts."

"I want to," I said quietly. "I really want to."

She handed me the bag of chip, I shook my head.

"No, thank you."

She stuffed the chips back into her bag. "Then start with this...don’t look for him in every quiet moment."

I blinked. "What does that mean?"

She smiled sadly. "You wait for his name to pop up on your phone. You hold your breath when the door opens, thinking maybe it’s him. You can’t heal if you’re still waiting for a ghost."

I looked away, forcing a weak laugh. "You’ve been reading way too many sad quotes on Pinterest."

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, maybe. But it doesn’t make me wrong."

I zoned out for a second as we walked. My brain started replaying Dominic’s voice.. him telling me how much he loves me.

June kept talking, but her words faded for a moment. I caught myself just before she noticed.

She snapped her fingers near my face. "Hey. Earth to Ash."

I blinked, startled. "Sorry. Just... spaced out."

Her tone softened. "Yeah. I noticed."

We walked in silence for a while.

"Oh, by the way, I’m going to Ren’s place today."

I blinked. "Ren’s? Why?"

She grinned, brushing crumbs off her fingers. "The talent show’s this Friday, remember? We’ve got like, three days to prepare."

I raised an eyebrow. "Does Ian know about that?"

Her smirk faltered for half a second.

"Juneee." I said slowly.

She nodded immediately. "Yeah, of course he does."

"...And?" I pressed.

She sighed. "He’s not thrilled about it, okay? But it’s not like I can cancel. He said, and I quote, ’Do what you have to do, just don’t make me regret trusting you.’"

"That’s honestly worse," I muttered. "The quiet, emotionally suppressed kind of jealousy."

She groaned. "He’s not jealous. He’s just...concerned."

"June," I said, giving her that look.

"Okay, fine! Maybe he’s a little jealous," she admitted. "But it’s not like there’s a reason to be. I mean, Ren and I are just friends. Music partners. Nothing else."

"Uh-huh," I said flatly. "And the beach house thing was what, a music exercise too?"

"Shhh!" she hissed, slapping her hand over my mouth so fast I almost dropped my backpack.

"What?!" I mumbled against her palm. "You didn’t tell him?!"

She smacked my arm, hissing, "Keep your voice down!"

"Ow! I’m just saying," I said, rubbing my arm.

"Of course I didn’t!" she whispered, glancing around the hallway like Ian might magically appear out of the lockers. "How am I supposed to bring that up, huh? ’Hey babe, FYI, remember the beach house? Yeah, that time Ren used his shirt to wipe something off my lips.. but it’s no big deal!’"

I blinked at her. "You just said it perfectly. Maybe try that."

She rolled her eyes. "Ha-ha, hilarious."

I sighed, adjusting the strap of my bag. "Just... don’t let him find out, June. Seriously. And don’t get yourself tangled in whatever love triangle you and those two have going on."

"We’re not in a triangle," she scoffed immediately.

"Right. Not a triangle."

She laughed, bumping my shoulder. "You’re dramatic. It’s not that deep. I just need Ren to get over the talent show, and then I’m done. No drama, no tension, no accidental lip-touching. Promise."

"Uh-huh," I muttered. "You’re going to make Ren and Ian have a fight."

She ignored that, grinning again. "Anyway, you sure you’ll be okay today? First day back at the diner after your emotional breakdown week?"

"Thanks for the confidence," I said flatly.

"I’m just saying," she teased. "Try not to hand someone ketchup when they ask for coffee."

"I’ll try," I said, sighing. "I just need to get myself together before Mr. Sun starts yelling about customer service again."

She gave me a side hug as we reached the door to class. Then she smiled."You’ll be fine. And if you’re not, I’ll visit you anyways."

I smiled faintly. "Deal."

"Good. Now let’s go in before Ms Daniels makes us do another pop quiz on Shakespeare’s trauma issues."