Burned

         “Asia!” Stitchface called out. Asia closed her eyes and let the wind tie her hair back from her face, the branches swaying gently with her weight. “Asia, don’t you wanna talk?” Stitchface asked gently. Asia just gave a blank look but no answer. Stitchface crawled up the rooftop and sat on the large branch with Asia not saying a word. Stitchface and Asia gave a sigh in synchronized time, then looked at each other and gave a small smile.
         “Stitches, I can’t go on like this,” Asia said finally.
         “Okay, am I getting the ‘Ace talk’ or the ‘Jay talk’?” Stitchface interrupted. In a bitter moment, Asia would’ve snapped back at him for his comment, but instead she gave a small chuckle.
         “You’re getting the ‘Stitchface talk’,” Asia answered him honestly.
         “Well, I feel honored! I get my own talk!” Stitches teased. Asia smiled, but sighed deeply with regret as she looked back at Stitchface. Suddenly, his blue eyes weren’t sparkling with mischief anymore.
         “You don’t really mean it, do you?” his eyes widened. Asia bit her lip and tried to look away, but Stitches cupped his hand gently under her chin and brought Asia’s face back up to his. “Tell me you’re kidding,” His eyes searched Asia’s face. Nothing.
         “Stitches…” Asia whispered. Stitches’ face was sullen, his eyes closed. “you’ve got to understand,” she pleaded.
         “What’s to understand?” Stitchface questioned her gloomily. “Asia, I gave you my heart…but I guess that’s not what you were looking for,” he added doubtfully. The words took Asia back through her own thoughts, making tears come to her eyes. To know that someone had gave her their heart, their all, was something she had longed to hear. She only wished she knew if Stevie had given her his all like she had him. Both she and Ace agreed that they were only dating, but never seriously. She already knew that Jay hadn’t given her his all because of how her heart had been broken by him. But this…this was a first. This time, Stitchface had fallen for her, and she had held back her heart before she could get burned again.
         "Asia…” Stitchface trailed off. Asia looked up and saw his forlorn face and couldn’t help tracing her fingertips along Stitches scar on his cheek. As quickly as she had done so, she pulled back.
         “I’m sorry Stitches,” she whispered. “ I never intended it to get this deep,” she explained the faint breeze rustling the leaves on the branch. Gently, Stitches leaned his face towards Asia’s, summoning her lips for one last kiss.



         Stitchface woke up that morning to find himself moping over last night and Asia’s words still ringing in his ears. “I never intended it to get this deep,” she had said. He sighed deeply with what little relief he had come to realize: she must’ve felt strongly about him too in order to even say that. He somberly got up out of bed to find a note laying at his feet. Still somewhat dizzy from confusion, he opened up the envelope and found a note that read:

                             Love never broke anyone’s heart. A very wise man once told me that. I want to talk to you about last night, but I’m not sure if you want to talk to me. I’m so sorry I hurt you Stitches.
                                       -Asia

         “It did happen,” was all Stitches could choke out.


         “Asia, are you okay?” a voice asked as Asia sat blindly at the table. The sun may have been up, but other than herself, everyone else wasn’t.
         “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” she answered soberly. Quietly, Duke pulled a chair out and had a seat at the kitchen table next to her.
         “Care to tell?” he prodded gently.
         “I’m just feeling guilt for snapping someone’s heart in half, that’s all,” Asia sighed. Duke sighed as well, Asia finding it somewhat comforting.
         "Stitches a big boy, I’m sure he’ll mend soon. His heartache usually disappears after a few games at the Bar,” he offered to Asia. She just shook her head. “I’m worried about if you’re all right as well,” Duke told her honestly.
         “I’m better than all right,” She answered him with honesty as well. “I’m seeing clearly again,” she gave a tight-lipped smile. Duke looked confused.
         “And this is a good thing…”
         “It is if you’re swearing off love for the rest of your life,” Asia quipped.
         “He hurt you that bad?” Duke looked surprised.
         “No, I hurt him that bad. And I don’t want to feel that kind of remorse again. I don’t want to go through life, searching for that right one and leaving my heart to go out there and get shattered again. If third time’s a charm, then I’ll surely never have a heart left,” Asia explained. Duke gave a sort of wistful look towards the door.
         “It’s not so much a game of chance, but one of destiny, “ Duke offered. Asia gave a small smile.
         “It’s a game I’m giving up,” she corrected.
         “Fate can have other plans,” Duke hinted, hoping he didn’t sound like he was desperate to make Asia see what he really felt for her. All this time he’d been waiting for a chance, but he knew that now wasn’t the time or place.