Novel & Cerita Tell You Once Tell You Twice

Waited countless times. This time, not once.

“DUFFER” “SO WHAT D’ YA SAY, GUYS ?” “KILL ! KILL ! KILL !” “LOUDER !! THEY CAN’T HEAR YA !!!!!” “KILL ! KILL ! KILL !” “KILL ! KILL ! KILL !” “KILL ! KILL ! KILL !”

I know him better than he thinks, and I am done looking for hints of good in him. Once bitten twice shy. Or in my case, I have been mauled to death by him and have no intention of letting him get a sniff near me again.

They look up at me, hurt by my rejection. "I was sick, and I never really brushed my teeth so I'm sure that's awful. I also have one more question." I take a deep breath, eyes closed. Opening them I see the twins sitting, turned towards me, however now they are leaning back against the chairs once again. "When you proposed to me, or more like when you stated you guys were to marry me, you said that in your family, you guys only fall in love once, and when it happens, you just know. So, I guess I'm just wondering, well." I stop. Why am I even asking this? It would only hurt me.

Author’s Note Hello, dear readers, I want to apologize to all of you who have reached this point and are reading without fully understanding what’s happening. After spending time rereading the book, I realized there were many repeated pieces of information and that the story wasn’t moving forward—it kept circling the same situations.

I can feel the warmth of him like a second layer of air. For a second, I imagine leaning forward. Just once to see if it still feels the same. The thought hits me fully formed and dangerous: Maybe one last time would fix it. Maybe if I let it happen again, properly, deliberately, then it would lose its power. Maybe it would turn into something ordinary instead of this sharp, humming thing under my skin. Like popping a blister instead of walking on it. The idea scares me because it does not sound like a bad idea at all.

"What would you advise, then? We have been talking to each other for over a few months. You've never hesitated to provide me with your excellent advice." She shrugged to herself. "You sound young. You shouldn't give up all the fish in the sea for one failed catch." The minute the words left her mouth, she realized she had made a blunder. What if the person suspected she wasn't herself, because she had mentioned her assumption based on his voice over the phone? Fortunately, the person failed to capture her error, and then he continued, "Since you say that I shouldn't give up all the fish in the sea, would you be willing to be my fish?"

It feels like I’m doing the same shit I’ve been doing before, except on an actual person, not a bag. He remains silent, watching me for a few moments, not saying anything. He looks like he’s contemplating some big decision, then lets out a big breath. “We’re only gonna do this once-“ “Yes!” I jump, grinning ear to ear. “Come on, get your ass up.” “Once, just so you see that what you’re trying to do is absolutely ridiculous, and then you will never ask me to do this again.” “Yeah, yeah, alright.”

Instead, there was a brief silence. Then— "Keep quiet and tell me where you are this instant." My brows shot upward. "Do not make me repeat myself twice." I froze. Well... That was new.

The touch sends a sudden wave of heat straight to my stomach. "I know you haven't picked us yet," he says, his voice dropping an octave. "I know there is still stuff you haven't told me. I know I failed you. I am not going to let that happen again, especially not now that you are back. I lost you twice already. I will never let there be a third time. Do you understand me?" His amber eyes are glowing with a fierce light. Even though his voice has a rough edge to it, he stays calm. He isn't rushing. He wants to make sure I hear every word.