Glass Hearts [BL]-Chapter 255: Just His Lips on Mine [June’s POV]

I felt my chest tighten as Ren leaned in.

Then his lips met mine.

For two years, I’d imagined this moment...fireworks, butterflies, the kind of spark that makes your whole body feel awake.

But when it actually happened...

Nothing.

There was no rush, no flutter, no spark.

Just his lips on my lips.

I froze. My eyes widened.

Did I feel nothing because I’d built it up too much? Created this perfect scene in my head, and turned it into a fantasy?

Ren pulled back slowly, smiling softly.

"Wow," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "That... was amazing."

"Amazing?" I laughed nervously, trying not to let my confusion show. Inside, my chest sank.

He reached up and patted my head lightly. "Yeah, June... really."

My chest sank.

I had to pretend. I had to lie. I just couldn’t ruin that smile.

My lips curled into a small smile, even though inside I felt... nothing. "Yeah... yeah, it was... really nice," I murmured, just enough to make him believe I enjoyed it.

Ren’s ears turned pink. "You... you really mean that?" he asked softly.

"Of course," I whispered, forcing myself to nod. "It... it was perfect."

He smiled softly. "Good. I’m glad. I really... enjoyed it. More than I can say."

I felt a pang of guilt.

He lingered for a second, then smiled. "I’ll give you space, Jellybean. You okay?"

"Yeah," I said, even though I wasn’t sure. "I’m okay."

And then he walked away, leaving me staring at the wall.

Omg... this was not how I expected it to happen. I think I just made a mistake.

—

The next day at school, everything felt... wrong.

Ash kept avoiding me.

Every time I tried to meet his eyes, he’d just... look away. Every time I opened my mouth to call him, he sped up.

I didn’t expect him to still be angry.

And Ian?

I hadn’t seen him once. Thank God. My heart raced every time someone with messy black hair walked by.

After class, the panic finally got to me.

I grabbed Ash’s wrist, dragged him into the nearest empty classroom, and shut the door so hard the windows rattled.

He stood there with his arms folded, like he’d been waiting to explode.

"You have ten seconds to explain," he said. "Or I’m leaving."

"Ash... I’m sorry, okay? I should’ve told you I was staying over at Ren’s."

"Nine."

"Ash..please."

"Eight."

"I was going through something, I..."

"Seven."

"I know it was stupid..."

"Six."

"Ash! Stop counting, I’m trying..."

"Five."

My pulse spiked.

"You want honesty?" I blurted out. "Fine. I kissed Ren."

His eyes widened.

And everything went completely still.

I sank onto a chair before my legs gave out.

"You were right," I whispered. "I never listen. I mess up everything. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Ian. Or Ren. I’m sorry. I already hate myself, and it’s punishment enough. You can leave if you want."

Ash stared at me for a moment.

Then he exhaled. His shoulders dropped a little.

"June," he said quietly. "I’m sorry about yesterday too. Work was hell. And when your dad called me sounding terrified, I got scared. You didn’t text me back. You didn’t answer calls. Then Jae told me about what Dominic’s dad said, and you didn’t tell me that either. With everything happening...I just..."

He covered his face.

"I took it out on you."

"Oh, Ash," I murmured. "I get it. I do. Yesterday was... I don’t know, I was falling apart."

He scoffed bitterly.

"Falling apart with Ren."

"It wasn’t like that," I said. "And I regret kissing him."

Ash frowned. "Why? Isn’t that what you always wanted? You always liked Ren. And how the hell are you going to tell Ian?"

"It’s not even that." I scoffed, and folded my arms.

"Tell me the reason. Will you? Was it that bad? Did he slobber on you? Did he stick his tongue down like... like a lizard or something?"

"No," I groaned. "Eeeewwwww. He’s a great kisser actually."

Ash looked offended. "Excuse me, what do you mean great? Like how great? Score it. One to ten."

"Ash."

I gave him a dead stare.

"The kiss was technically good. But I didn’t feel anything. No spark. No fireworks. It was... empty. Like kissing a... I don’t know, a puppy."

Ash gagged. "Is it that bad you had to compare kissing him to a puppy?"

I shook my head miserably.

"No, Ash. Ren’s a great kisser. He’s gentle, he’s patient, he’s soft. I just don’t think ’he’s the one.’"

Ash winced. "Ouch. "Then why did you do it? Because technically....."

He paused. "....you did cheat on Ian, with his best friend."

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I did."

Ash blinked. "I was right to judge you last night."

"I’m not proud of it," I continued. "And I’m not pretending it was right. But I wasn’t choosing between two guys. I was already done with Ian anyways."

He shook his head, and scoffed. "Lies we tell ourselves."

"I kissed Ren because I was confused," I sighed. "I never wanted to hurt anyone. And the second it happened, I knew it wasn’t what I thought it would be."

Ash nodded. "So you actually regret it?"

"Yes," I said. "But not because of Ian."

That made him look up.

"I regret it because I finally realized I was chasing Ren’s comfort, not love."

"Mhmm." Ash folded his arms, shaking his head.

"Besides, Ian was cheating first. With Crystal. He..."

My voice broke.

"He told me I was cheap. Easy, desperate. Called me an ego booster. I hate myself."

Ash froze.

Then, slowly, he lowered his hands from his face.

"What... did you just say?"

I whispered, "He said horrible things, Ash."

"Tell me exactly what he said," Ash demanded.

"Ash..."

"June. Tell me."

My eyes filled.

"He said I was just something to make him feel better. That he could get me easily. That I was pathetic. He slept with crystal while telling me he liked me. And now she’s pregnant. And he wants her to get rid of the baby."

His eyes widened, as his fist slammed onto the table.

Ash’s entire posture changed.

"Tell me you’re lying," Ash growled. "June. Tell me right now."

I couldn’t.

I lowered my head, crying harder.

When I lifted it again...

Ash was gone.

My heart dropped.

"Ash?!"

I bolted out of the classroom, panicking. He was storming toward the boys’ locker room.

"Ash! Wait...please! Don’t talk to him....don’t do anything!"

He didn’t turn around. He didn’t even slow down.

Then we saw Ian.

He stood outside the locker room laughing with Casper, like nothing was wrong, like he hadn’t hurt me.

"Ash, no!"

It was too late.

Ash lunged.

His fist slammed directly into Ian’s jaw with a sound that echoed down the hallway.

Students screamed. Casper’s eyes widened. Ian stumbled back, clutching his face in shock.

"Ash!" I shouted. "Stop!"

He didn’t.

He swung again.

Until Ian snapped out of it, grabbed Ash by the collar, and punched him back, making blood burst from Ash’s nose and mouth.

Ash swung again despite the blood coating his lips. "You asshole! You don’t talk to her like that! You don’t...you don’t treat her like that!"

Ian slammed him against the lockers.

"Stop!" I screamed, running toward them.

"Ash...please!" I pleaded. "Ian stop, he’ll get expelled... please!"

Ian lifted his fist again.

"Ian," I begged, grabbing his wrist. "Let him go... please..."

He turned to me. As our eyes met, his eyes softened.

For a second, I thought he’d shake me off.

"Please, don’t hit him again." I whispered again.

His fist loosened.

Then he shoved Ash onto the floor.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Ian spat. "What the hell is your problem?"

He stormed away, furiously.

I dropped to Ash’s side immediately, reaching for him, when a shadow fell over us.

"...Ash?"

We both turned.

It was Dominic, standing in the doorway.

And I saw the pain flicker in Ash’s eyes.