Mars

By Jasmine Rose

"He is home. I don't want to be homeless."

There is something about gravity that when you pull it just the right way, two different planets could revolve around each other. Amy, the shy girl who is still getting over her ex, tries to pull away from the blunt, overconfident yet optimistic Logan, a person whom she can’t seem to shake.

Like Earth and Mars, they slowly begin to orbit each other, pulling and pushing between their clashing personalities yet similar interests. A tragedy that happens to one of them may make or break them, and the two will try to hold on as long as they could.

But soon enough Amy and Logan find just the right pull to fall in love with each other, like two heavenly bodies who were destined to crash without a care about the mess it'll leave behind.

With over 500 thousand reads on Wattpad, this young adult contemporary romance is has a few twists and a whole lot of love meant to be everlasting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blvnp Incorporated
• Release date: Nov 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386331476

Book preview

Love Doesn’t Die

Did you ever even really love me, Ethan?

... I think, my heart tightening at the sight of him laughing at something June said. His eyes twinkling at her, just as they did once, to me. Why wouldn't he love her anyway? Everybody does. She is the epitome of a perfect girl. Beauty, brains, a sense of humor. What didn't she have? 

Amy?

A hand pokes my cheek, breaking my concentration and envious thoughts.

Amaryllis?

My head immediately turns to the owner of the voice, the sound of my full name immediately sparking an annoyance within me. Jenna sits there with a clear look of distaste. Her dark brown eyes pierce through me.

"What?" I snap, watching as she twirls her perfect honey-colored hair around one finger.

She sighs wearily. You were staring at him again. You're only hurting yourself by doing this, you know?

I look down to my half-eaten sandwich, feeling ashamed. The muffin I bought suddenly seems ugly and mushy. I push my tray away, keeping my eyes on it.

You can't keep doing this to yourself, mumbles Jenna.

I can feel her eyes on me. I want to tell her to shut up, to turn away and ignore me, but I can't. She knows how I feel, because a few months ago, I knocked on her door at 4 a.m. in tears. She knows because she stayed up with me that night, rubbing my hair and handing me tissues.

I know, I mutter back.

And the conversation ends there. Her boyfriend of five months comes beside her and kisses her cheek.

Hey, babe, says Ryan, hugging her.

She turns from me, a glow appearing on her face. They share a kiss that's movie-worthy. All of a sudden, I feel sick. The half of the hamburger I ate is coming up. I swallow my saliva and stand up, my legs feeling wobbly.

Amy? Don't go, says Ryan, his arm around Jenna's waist.

I give them a small smile and pick up my tray.

I have to study for the science test, I answer, already walking away, ignoring Jenna's voice calling my name.

Jenna and I both knew that wasn't true, because there is

no science test.

I turn around for a split second and find that Ethan is listening to June talk about something that captivates all of his attention. She flashes him a bright grin, and he gladly offers one back. They share a high-five. And I cringe at the sound the collision their hands have made.

* * *

I walk to my locker, and search it for my iPod. Thinking too much never helps me, which is why I always keep my mind busy, one way or another. Panic rises as I realize that the pockets of my old, teal-colored coat don't have the iPod.

No, please don't tell me I dropped it, I mumble, looking in my school bag. I know that there's no chance of it being in there because I listened to music this morning and shoved the iPod into my pocket. I keep on looking, even though I already know that my iPod isn't there.

Maybe Jenna took it? That happens a lot. I close my locker and take long, yet quick, steps back to the cafeteria. I want to run, but I see one of the teachers talking to the principal in the hall. Ms. Mathers seems to be flirting her way to another raise with Principal Jenkins.

And apparently, I look at them for too long because I don't have time to avoid bumping into whoever I hit. I look up, my mouth already forming the I'm sorry. My heartbeat is nonexistent for a few seconds.

A boy with smiling golden eyes looks down at me. His lips are slightly open, looking like he is about to form the same words as I am. I can see the dimple on his cheek, the one I liked to see so often, the one spot I liked to poke a lot. There's also the small, almost unnoticeable scar on his smooth chin, from the time we went roller-skating and he fell on a rock.

S-sorry, I didn't see you there, I say, my voice barely audible. I start walking away from him. My mind is fuzzy, and I can't seem to think straight. 

A hand grabs my arm, and I freeze. Wait, he says.

But all I can think about is how strong his grip is on my arm. I turn to face him, my heart seemingly beating loud enough for the world to hear.

He puts something in my hand. I look, and it's my iPod. My eyes go to him again, this time in confusion.

I found it on the ground, beside your locker, he says, scratching the back of his neck. And I know he only did that because he feels uncomfortable.

I nod. Thanks, Ethan.

Anytime, Mars. He walks away.

All I can think about is the fact that he called me by the nickname he created himself, this time of last year. I press the power button to reveal the lock screen on my iPod. My breath gets caught in my throat.

The background is an old picture of us, when we'd just started dating. The picture captures me, laughing, and him smiling at me. Jenna took that picture.

Ethan had changed the background to a picture of us. 

Why, though? Doesn't he know how badly I miss him already? How hard it is for me? Does he miss me? No, he doesn't. So why change my background?

A tear  involuntarily  rolls down my cheek, and splatters on the picture of us.

I close the iPod.

2

Is there anybody out there?

* * *

Mars, he says, grinning and showing off his dimple. I’m going to call you Mars.

I let out a small chuckle, and plop myself next to him on the bench. The mall is crowded with people, passing by, having their own lives. Some look at Ethan in a way that makes my stomach churn. For now, though, I couldn’t care less. He is with me, here.

Mars? I repeat, taking a bite of the Oreo ice cream in my hands. He eagerly nods, munching on his chips. He bought his chips, before I got my ice cream. He regrets it, even though he won’t show it.

I laugh again at how stupid he looks; his hair is wet and it makes him look like a puppy. Apparently, running to the mall in the rain isn’t a very good idea, even if the mall is only two streets away.

I’ll tell you why, he says, before I can open my mouth to ask why. It’s because you blush easily, and Mars is red. You like the chocolate bar Mars, and you want to be the first teenager to walk on Mars.

My eyebrows scrunch together, but I can understand what he means.

You’re weird, Ethan, I declare, smiling.

He winks at me. That’s why you like me.

* * *

I can hear a vague sound in the background, and I feel myself crying. I close my eyes shut, refusing to believe that I am dreaming. It all feels too real to be a dream. It is too good to be unreal.

Amy! I hear Dad exclaim, shaking me. I finally open my eyes, but it hurts to do so because my eyes are red from the tears. My dad’s terrified expression becomes relieved. He wipes the tears on my cheeks, although that doesn’t stop them from falling again.

He pats my hand. Was it a bad dream, honey? he asks, and I wish I could say yes. Instead, I make a sign that no, it wasn’t a bad dream and I realize that my hand is shaking as well as my whole body.

I take deep breaths to steady my breathing.

I didn’t want to wake up, I whisper, watching as the invisible switch clicks in my dad. He understands. He loved Ethan like his own son, and he trusted him with me. I can see what he’s thinking, and he