Aurora Magazine 2018

and be busy,” she mumbled, sitting up and crossing her arms over her chest. “After all, I won’t have much to do since you’re so busy this week.” “Right. Suit yourself,” the man said, putting his hands in his pockets. “Do what you will. I’ll just go ahead and go home since you’re so busy.” He turned his back on her and began walking back down the way they came. “No! Don’t go yet, please. Don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone here.” At her plea, the man slowed down, but he didn’t turn to her. “But you told me you were busy.” “I was joking! Just kidding… Don’t leave, please. Pretty please?” Silence descended on them, then the man spoke. “Fine, I’ll stay.” He turned towards her. “But you got to get up and walk with me, okay?” “Yeah. Okay. Fine by me.” The girl got up from the rock and dusted the seat of her jeans off. She avoided her companion’s eyes as she began to walk quickly towards him, then past him. Her arms had fallen to her sides and her fists were clenched. “Hey! Wait for me!” “Why should I? You said we should keep walking.” “So? I didn’t mean for you to just run away like that. I’d rather not have to go looking for you,” the man snapped. His breath was ragged from rushing to catch up to the girl. When he finally calmed himself, he whispered, “Alyssa, why are you being difficult?”

“Would you shut up?” “What? Why should I?”

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