Page 24 of Playing with Fire

He shrugged and walked down the hallway. My disbelief fueled my pursuit of him as we descended the staircase and approached the front door.

"Excuse me, Jaxon, what–"

Return within sixty minutes but avoid any further complaints. He rolls his eyes before slipping on his final shoe.

Feel free to relax or engage in any activity you typically enjoy while at my place. "What–" My mouth closes as soon as he closes the door between us.

My eyes fixed on the door while I tried to grasp the reality of what had just occurred.

The car lights illuminate through the door's glass. He better keep his word. One hour. I hope this will last for one hour but I'm unsure about what will happen.

He would likely find value in the person involved rather than the task at hand.

Gross. Whatever. I can spare one hour. Maybe two, but that's pushing it.

Upon entering the living room, I notice Lily's worried expression. "I'm sorry for him. I can call him back if–"

"No, " I shrugged. Let him go. It's fine." I sighed, becoming a little frustrated.

Lily appeared to understand my expression and turned to watch the television. I relaxed into the couch and observed the cartoon Lily turned on for Ro.

Reflecting on his recent behavior made me feel even angrier. I swear he's the worst.

The first hour passed by the slowest. I waited to hear the door unlocked but it remained silent.

Lily took Ro upstairs and put him to bed at 9:00. She came down to stay with me but after chatting briefly she went back upstairs shortly thereafter.

Despite knowing he wouldn't return within an hour I chose to begin working on the poster.

I selected the simplest topic that came to mind.

Everyone teaches themselves this information because it is simple to draw. The act of drawing it appeared as though I worked independently.

I had placed the poster board on the coffee table before starting to work on it. Before she went to bed Lily brought me some markers which I thanked her for.

I began drawing the entire system on paper with pencil while adding a title and basic images and made connections between all elements using lines.

My work met my satisfaction levels when the time approached ten o'clock. I completed my contribution to the project with those actions. He could complete the remaining work if Jaxon decides to return.

Each minute that passed after 10:00, I became increasingly more annoyed. Maddox came into the living room to keep me company after trotting over but he could only calm down my anger to a certain point. By 10:30, I had concluded. He ditched me.

He fucking ditched me.

I fucking hate him.

As my need to express my anger grew stronger, I found the only person—or maybe pet—I could converse with was stretched out at my feet. I swing my legs off the couch before flipping around so that my head meets my feet. "Your owner's a dick. Did you know that

Maddox?"

My voice prompted Maddox to lift his head and perk his ears.

"I mean, who does that?" I ask. I've figured out the answer, but I just groan and fall silent.

Maddox refuses to utter any words as he continues to stare at me with his beady eyes. When I reach up to stroke his head Maddox leans into my hand to respond. Because he continues to get on my nerves, he has done so again so now I will stay put until he returns.

Why?

My desire to speak with him exists but arguing seems inevitable. That maybe it. I may want to argue with him. I derive some enjoyment from our arguments because I find the process of debating with him enjoyable. During our arguments he continues to irritate me on a consistent basis.

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