Page 51 of Playing with Fire

Em shouldn't keep striking me every time he gets irritated. He dismissively rolls his eyes then mocks my hair tie in my face before withdrawing it.

I will slap you whenever my impulse strikes me. Now. Give. It. Back." I ordered him for the millionth time.

The smirk he gave me proved he knew I was getting frustrated, which happens to be his goal every time he feels like bickering: Em you're showing your emotions more clearly than before.

"You don't know shit." I was quick to blurt.

"That you know of." he contests, making me uneasy. "You don't know anything." I reject his idiotic effort to convince me he's making progress.

This time when I reach for his arm again, he responds by grabbing my arm and pressing it against his shoulder. We were sitting extremely close to the couch because my knees pressed right up against his leg.

The sensation registered for a moment before I dismissed it to focus on my goal. "Give me my hair tie."

I could ask Kylie and Hazel for my hair tie but then that would be boring. He proceeds with his speech while disregarding my demands.

The sound of the toilet flush revealed that Ro would return shortly.

Jaxon, this is the final time I'm telling you—you're not going to win this foolish bet so please return my hair tie!

He gave me an evil grin while narrowing his eyes which made me roll my eyes back into my head. "No."

I relaxed my shoulders knowing that this defeat would not last long. My frustration remained at its peak because of his actions.

With a determined voice I say "Fuck you" as I push away from his shoulder. "Want to?" He flashed me with a smirk that pushed me to the brink of losing my temper.

The sound of Ro's feet pattering reached my ears as she rushed toward the living room.

"Shut up." I turn my gaze toward the television after snapping.

He says "That's not a no" with a lighter tone that sounds amusing.

If Ro hadn't intervened by sitting between us, I would have cursed him or slapped him after shooting him a glare.

"Okay, start, start, start!" I hit the play and Ro's excitement became immediately obvious.

I felt uncomfortable when I realized who she had by her side. "You're the worst." I find myself saying.

"I've heard," he responds.

"Hey! Stop fighting; I don't like it!" Ro whined and looked between us.

I noticed her face showed clear distaste and instantly regretted my words. Our frequent arguments disturb me until I realize other people can hear us.

Sorry Ro.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Graduation.

Everyone expects graduation to be a milestone event, and it proved to be exactly that.

The ceremony was held. The Valedictorian's speech captured my attention completely when I learned Neha had been named Valedictorian while I received my diploma and shook Hazelds with my teachers.

Before returning home I snapped some photos and began planning for our celebratory lunch. During the drive to the restaurant my thoughts kept circling around my future and what it might look like.

My happiness should be complete, but I am constantly reminded that someone else will share this journey with me. I remember it so clearly:

During winter break I had submitted my early decision to Georgia.

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