Page 28 of We Are the Stars

“Don’t get carried away.” He ruffles my hair. “Goodnight, loser.”

“Night, buttmunch.”

I grab a random book from the shelf once Fish leaves and make myself comfortable on my bed. I squish the pillows around until I’m comfortable and open my paperback.

I’m a few chapters in and getting into the storyline when my phone vibrates on my bedside table. I reach over and swipe at the screen, noting the new unread text message.

Unknown:I need to apologize. I was out of line. I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier.

Me:Who is this?

Unknown:Do you often need apologized to? What kind of people are you hanging out with?

Me:Apparently mean ones.

Me:My question still stands.

Unknown:Carsen

My palms begin to sweat and I nearly drop my phone. Carsen is texting me. Carsen is apologizing to me. He’s being nice again.Should I start counting down until his next mood swing? Should I ignore him?

No. He’s too intriguing for that.

Me:Oh.

Unknown:Oh?

Me:Oh. Um…thank you.

Me:How did you get this number?

Carsen:Employee records.

Me:You have access to those?

Carsen:Sort of.

Me:So you stole it?

Carsen:Sort of.

I smile at his non-answer because it seems sohim, and because it’s kind of sweet that he’d go through the trouble of searching through paperwork just to get my number to apologize for being an ass.

I suppose that’s another a pro-Carsen mark on my mental list.

Me:I should apologize too. How are the balls?

Carsen:Sore, but I’ll live. And your apology isn’t needed. I deserved that and much worse. I treated you like shit today and I shouldn’t have. I’m a dick.

Me:I said I SHOULD apologize, not that I’m going to. But yes, you’re a dick.

Carsen:Please, don’t mince your words.

Me:I wouldn’t dare.

Me:Besides, I thought you liked that about me.

Carsen:I do. It’s unequivocally my favorite thing.

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