Page 21 of Shutout
That’s basically the same as a pity kiss, which is why I never dared to pull that move on him when we were friends. Only that this time I settled for one because a body can only hold curiosity for so long, and we’re strangers now.
So he’s confused, that’s all. The contradicting postscripts tell me as much. And being fresh off a breakup, I’m not interested in getting my heart toyed with again. Ever.
More emails from him pop up on my laptop, but if a trait defines me it is stubbornness. Right now, I exercise it by hyper-focusing on the lecture and taking the most comprehensive notes. Someone give me the model student award, please.
This time blondie pokes my thigh right through a hole in my ripped jeans.
I sweep a glare at him. If all the people who salivate over him had any idea how freaking annoying he is, they’d stop pining for him too.
Or they’d see him like the imperfect but cute little soul that he is, living in the body of a giant—and love him even more. Like I used to. But that’s beside the point.
“What?” I mouth at him without making a sound. He motions at my laptop again.
Huffing, I check my inbox. There are four new emails and I click on the last one to view the thread.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hey bestie
Or I could make you laugh. I used to be really good at it. Bet I still am. Are your sides still ticklish?
> Can I help with that? I give a mean deep tissue massage.
>> Y U stressed fren?
>>> Pardon me, I didn’t intend to be casually sexist. You are indeed a woman, obvi.
This just makes me want to cry. And scream.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hey bestie
If you keep distracting me I’ll bill you for the class credits.
BYE!!!!
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hey bestie
Do you take PayPal? Venmo? Zelle? CashApp? Good ol’ cash?
Listen, I’m just happy you’re responding. Is all.
I bite my lip hard. My vision swims and I know if I move a single inch, I’m going to start bawling in the middle of this classroom right next to the last person I want to see me having a breakdown.
My fingers fly across the keyboard at lightning speed with another response, class be damned.
From: [email protected]
