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“Steve,” I begin slowly, “I think I must have given you the wrong impression somewhere along the way,” I take a deep breath as I search for some words even he will listen to. “I am not interested in you. There is nothing you can say or do to change that.” Steve’s eyes lock with mine. “Nothing. At. All.”
A long moment of silence passes between us. Suddenly, I watch him change right before my eyes. First his jaw clenches and his nostrils flare. Then his eyes harden into cold, dark slits as a sneer lifts the corner of his lips.
“I see,” he says quietly. “Well, then, this changes things, doesn’t it, Summer?”
A cold chill slithers through me. I only nod slowly. He’s scaring me, I haven’t felt anything like this in a long time.
“It didn’t have to be like this, Summer. But you leave me no choice.” He turns on his heel and leaves.
I watch him walk out and I’m so grateful that everyone’s leaving me alone, even Mrs. Merriweather. It gives me the time I need to collect myself, something I’m also very practiced at doing. I pull on the familiar mask I wore for years at home. The one for the world that says, ‘I’m fine, things are great.’
But there’s one thing different now. Rock. The thought of him gives me strength, it reminds me I’m not at home, and that life can’t touch me.
My body still feels his touch. That gives me what I need to push Steve and that awful old familiar feeling aside.
