Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 60: Forgiveness is one thing. Trust is another

Chapter 60: Forgiveness is one thing. Trust is another

Dominic cleared his throat, glancing between us, visibly uncomfortable. "Uh... maybe I should...?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder, like he might bolt for the door.

Marcus pointed an accusing finger at him. "Wait a damn minute. You’re talking to Dominic now?" He swung back to me, his eyes widened. "When did this happen?"

"I thought we all hated him," June chimed in, folding her arms across her chest.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—" Dominic held up his hands.

June took a step forward. "Don’t you ’whoa’ me. You bullied Ash for months. You made him cry the night of your stupid party. You accused him of pushing Liam in front of the entire school. You shoved him off a locker and got him detention!" She jabbed a finger into his chest. "Want me to keep going? Because I’ve got a list."

Dominic winced. "Okay... fine. I deserve that. I’m sorry."

He shifted back. "I should get going." He turned, starting to leave.

"Dom, wait," I said, grabbing his arm.

He paused, eyes flicking down to where my fingers curled around his sleeve.

I swallowed. "You guys... it’s because of Dominic that I’m not getting expelled. He’s the reason I even had a chance today."

Dominic shook his head quickly. "Don’t... don’t make it sound bigger than it is. I’m just trying to make up for... everything." His voice dropped, with a hint of shame in it. "I messed up. Bad. And helping you... it doesn’t fix it. But I had to try."

He pulled gently out of my grip, his eyes softening for a second. Then he glanced at June and Marcus, who were still glaring. "I’ll... I’ll leave you guys to it."

Dominic hesitated, glancing back at me one last time. His eyes held something almost like regret. Then he forced a smile and turned away.

Marcus folded his arms, glowering at Dominic’s retreating back. "I still don’t trust him."

"Marcus—" I started.

"No, Ash. Listen to me." Marcus leaned closer, and placed his arm on my shoulder. "I get that he helped you today. And that’s great. But that doesn’t erase everything he’s done in Blackwell. He made your life hell for months. You can’t just... forget that because he swooped in like some hero."

I opened my mouth, but Marcus kept going, jabbing a thumb toward the door Dominic had disappeared through.

"These rich kids, man... they always have some angle. They don’t do stuff for free. Especially the Glass Circle boys. He’s probably just trying to reel you back into his life. Don’t let him. Don’t let him mess with your head again."

June nodded fiercely beside him. "Marcus is right. We’re not saying he can’t ever change. But he hurt you, Ash. And we just... we don’t want you to get hurt again."

I stood there, torn, staring at the spot where Dominic had disappeared.

My chest tightened as I tried to find words big enough for how conflicted I felt.

"I know he hurt me," I said finally. "But... he’s trying to fix it. And today, he was the only person who stood up for me when it mattered most. That has to count for something."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Well, forgiveness is one thing. Trust is another."

I sighed, feeling like I was splitting in two. "I’m not saying I trust him completely. I don’t. But... I don’t hate him, either."

Even after everything, there was this part of me that remembered how he looked today in the boardroom.... like he really cared whether I disappeared.

And maybe that was the problem. Because I believe him.

June’s gaze softened. She reached out and squeezed my arm. "We’re not trying to tell you what to feel. We just... don’t want you alone with him until we’re sure. Okay?"

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Ughhhhh."

June sighed, brushing my hair off my forehead. "We just... don’t want to lose you, Ash."

Marcus pointed a stern finger at me. "Swear it."

I managed a small, tired smile. "I swear."

"Now?" I said, exhaling. "Now I wait to see if I’m allowed back at Blackwell on Monday."

Marcus bumped my shoulder gently. "You’ll be back. If they say no, we’re staging a protest."

June snorted. "And a flash mob. And possibly arson. Just saying."

I laughed. "Thanks, guys."

Marcus lowered his finger but still looked grumpy. "Good. Now, come on. We’re taking you to get pancakes after school."

"And then you’re telling us everything. No more secrets, Ash."

After school, June and Marcus refused to let me leave without an escort.... like I might suddenly sprint back into schools and chase after Dominic.

June looped her arm through mine while Marcus trailed behind us, swinging his comic book like a sword.

"We’re walking you to the bus," June declared. "No arguments."

I gave her a tired look. "I’m not ten."

"Then stop acting like it and start telling us things," she shot back.

We ended up stopping at Sunny’s diner on the way. Pancakes, Marcus claimed, were part of his emotional recovery. He ordered a triple stack with extra syrup and then scowled when June "accidentally" dumped half the bottle on his head mid-rant.

"HEY!" Marcus shrieked, while June howled with laughter.

"Oh nooo," she smiled, pressing a napkin to his sticky hair. "You’re sweet enough already, Marcus."

"YOU ARE A MENACE," Marcus roared.

"You’re both chaos," I muttered

Marcus tried to stay grumpy, syrup dripping from his bangs, but even he cracked a smile as June wiped his face with the last of the napkins, still smirking.

Eventually, we reached the bus stop. The sun was dipping low, turning the sky gold. We hugged tight. June held on a little longer than usual. "Call us when you get to the hospital, okay? And don’t ignore our texts."

I nodded, stepping onto the bus. As the doors hissed closed, I caught Marcus pointing two fingers at his eyes and then at me like I’m watching you.

I chuckled under my breath.

All I wanted was to see Mom.

And pick up Alia.

The bus rolled through late-afternoon traffic. The city was busy and alive, but all I could hear was the echo of the boardroom, the sound of my essay being read aloud, my voice breaking in front of strangers.

My chest tightened.

I still have a chance.

I leaned my head against the cool glass, fingers curled tight around my backpack strap.

Dominic’s voice played in my head, again: "Rivera... the truth is, I think I’ve always been waiting for a reason to fight for you."

Part of me wished I could hate him as easily as Marcus did. But the truth was... I couldn’t. Not when I’d seen the part of him no one else had.... the part that still knew how to care, how to love.

I just wished they could see that too.

I hesitated, then pulled out my phone and typed: Hey! Are you okay? I hope you’re not mad about earlier. June and Marcus... they’re just protective. Thank you for everything you did today.

He didn’t reply.

Maybe he was busy. Or maybe he was still upset about what June and Marcus said earlier. I couldn’t blame him. They’d been brutal.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket, just as the bus pulled to a stop in front of Alia’s school. Because, seeing her was the one thing I knew could make it hurt less.

I scrambled off and rushed through the gate, scanning the playground.

She spotted me first.

"Ashhhh!" she shrieked, running towards me at full speed.

I dropped to one knee just in time to catch her as she flew into my arms.

She smelled like markers and bubblegum.

"I missed you so much, Ash," she whispered.