Page 20 of Forever Focused

“I think it was a snack pack of crackers. I’m not sure. I grabbed the first thing and ‘yeeted’ it in the direction of your voice.”

“Glad it wasn’t canned tomatoes or something. I wonder if you would regret knocking me out or if you’d flip-flop again and pretend to act all worried,” he muttered, opening the pack of crackers and eating one. “Peanut butter. You want one?”

“Are they stale or something?”

“Can’t I try to be nice?”

“Why start now?”

“Oh my gosh, what is with you?”

“What is with you?!”

“Never mind,” he muttered hotly. “I’m done talking.”

“Me too.”

“I thought this was some dream. Turns out I was right… it’s a nightmare.”

“All of that you just said… that was talking.”

“I know that.”

“Then what’s your problem?”

“Y-You!” he hissed angrily, feeling tears threatening as he stammered out the emotionally charged word that seemed to hang in the air. “M-My p-problem is you, Poppy! It’s al-always b-been you!”

Michael finally truly lost his edge and admitted it between them. He heard her draw in her breath in the darkness and almost apologized, but instead sat there stubbornly, waiting. His sister used to tell him, ‘whoever spoke first in an argument – lost,’… and he wasn’t about to lose.

He was in for the fight of his life.

CHAPTER 8

* * *

MICHAEL

Two hours later, Michael couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered in the darkness.

“Me too,” she breathed, and her voice hitched. “Will you sit with me?”

“You sure you want me to?”

“Yes.”

He got up from the floor and scooted over beside her, feeling awkwardly in the dark, before taking a seat again and reaching for her hand blindly, clasping it in his.

“I’m sorry that things are such a mess between us.”

“Why are they, though?” she mumbled quietly. “I don’t understand, you know? I mean, we have so much energy between us and…”

“Kindling a spark, remember?”

“I remember,” she chuckled, squeezing his hand lightly. “That’s why I’m confused. You would think that two people who are incredibly in tune could just fall right into line, but that’s not us – and I can’t figure out why.”

“I’m a mess and…”

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