Page 5 of His Rejected Fated Mate

“That it is.” He looked around the space, then back at me. I couldn’t help but take in his firm jaw and the way his shoulders sat. Troy was handsome, I had to give him that. “Elize, right? I think you’re in my science class.”

I nodded, and he moved closer. He sat down in a chair next to me, and I stiffened. He leaned back in his chair, and the silence wrapped around us.

“It is peaceful.”

I looked at him, taking in his face. Troy had a charming face. Troy had sharp cheekbones but soft lips. I could see he had long eyelashes and a small nose. He had a face that women swooned over.

“What are you reading?” He looked into my lap right at my book. I showed him the title, a new author I was falling in love with. “He’s a great writer. Very funny.”

He gave me another charming smile. “I’ve read him. You’re in for a treat.” He pulled himself up. “Well, I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your quiet time. It was nice chatting with you, Elize.”

I thought that was the end of whatever conversation we’d have. Troy and I would likely never talk again, but it was just the beginning. Troy showed up to sit in the silence with me every day. He brought books and snacks. We listened to music sometimes; at others, we sat in silence.

Our time together was great, and the more we shared, the more it grew. I went to his games and watched him play. He offered to walk me home after school.

I found myself looking forward to lunchtime. It was easy to talk with him. He didn’t judge, and I think I liked that best about him.

Soon, the year came to an end, and summer started, but the friendship stayed. Once a week, we met up at the park and caught up. He talked about camp, while I talked about helping at the city hall. Martin had set me up to help with the other council members.

I remembered sitting under a big willow tree and how we laughed. He leaned closer, whispering that he couldn’t wait for school to start. I rolled my eyes, knowing he was lying. And he cupped my face and kissed me.

He promised me that he didn’t care what others would say. He wanted me. He knew everything about me, and he knew about my witch abilities. He accepted me, and when school started, he was going to make others see the beauty.

I was giddy for the first time in my life. I couldn’t picture anything else. Our alone time shifted into something deeper, and I knew I was falling in love. He made it so easy.

And when school started, I was excited. I put on my favorite yellow dress and waited for him in the parking lot. But I could see the shift in his face as he got out of his car and started walking toward me. He was nervous and rubbed the back of his head. “Hey… so, can we talk?”

I felt my heart sink, and I knew something was wrong. “About?”

He frowned. “I was wrong to think that this could work between us.” He waved a hand between us.

I didn’t understand. I just stood there in shock. Just a few days ago, he was talking about seeing a future with me, how he felt like I knew him better than anyone else. And now, it was just over?

“I don’t…” I stammered. “You need to explain. Just last week, you were saying you saw a future that…” I couldn’t repeat his words, but they had meant so much. He could see a future. He could see marriage and kids. God, I had opened up my mind and my body to him.

It was two weeks ago when we had the house to ourselves. I hadn’t planned it. I doubted he had. It just happened. But it felt so right.

“I was wrong, Elise.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I want a better explanation than that.”

He dropped his voice, and I knew others were probably listening. “Just let it go.”

He tried to move past me, but I grabbed his arm, yanking him back. My body was shaking hard now, my mind going so many places. Was it all fake? Had it been a joke? Did any of it matter?

Or had he done all of this just to sleep with me? Had it all been fake? I couldn’t stomach that idea.

“We aren’t done talking, Troy. I deserve an explanation. You can’t just tell me that this isn’t working. I don’t understand.”

“It won’t work.” He snapped at me, yanking his arm free. “You’re a witch. It’s not going to work. I can’t explain it better than that.”

I felt like I’d been slapped, and I could feel tears building up now. I couldn’t breathe as I tried hard not to allow myself to cry.

“So, you’re just done? You’re throwing in the towel? After everything?” I wanted to add that I’d given him everything. I’d given my virginity.

He shrugged, and I felt vomit forming in the back of my throat. I hated how this was killing me, and he just looked like it was nothing.

I watched as he turned and headed inside. I could hear people whispering around me, and I swallowed.