Page 92 of Small Town Firsts

“Let it go? You want me to let it go?”

His eyes drop to my messy fishtail braid, where the ends brush the top of my T-shirt-covered left breast. “Yeah, Elsa, that’d be great.”

I narrow my eyes him as he moves up the stairs toward me, stopping two below me so we’re eye-to-eye. “Lemme ask you something Brock.” He nods, waiting for me to continue. “Why was it okay for me to grind all over you but not that other guy?” Brock’s eyes widen, and he sputters, unable to find a reply. I scoff. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

I turn and move to pull the door open when his hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me. “Abs, no. That’s not…I don’t…” I shrug out of his hold and enter the library, heading for a table right in the middle, surrounded by tons of other students, ensuring we won’t be alone.

I situate myself on the far side of the four-seater table, stowing my bag in the seat next to me, relegating Brock to the other side of the table. He drops down into the chair across me with a huff, and I’m secretly pleased he’s aggravated with me. He deserves it.

Wordlessly, I pull out my copy ofBeowulfalong with my laptop. Brock takes a hint and does the same. “If you need help, ask me. Otherwise, don’t talk.”

He shakes his head, looking a little sad. Though I’m sure that’s just my imagination. “Whatever you say, Abs.”

We’ve been working silently for about half an hour when thedingfrom my email interrupts me. I save my work in my Word document and toggle over my email account.

One new message from B.Larson.

The words practically flash on the page.Why is he emailing me?Nervously, I click on his message.

From:[email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: I’m Sorry

Abs,

Please don’t stay mad. I know I acted like an ass, and truly, I’m sorry. I could list a million reasons as to why, but none of them will excuse my behavior.

-Brock

P.S.

Do you think Beowulf went to heaven when he died?

As much asI don’t want them to, his words make me smile. Even so, I’m not ready to talk to him out loud, so I crack my knuckles and hitReply.

From:[email protected]

To: [email protected]

Re: I’m Sorry

Brock,

I guess I’ll forgive you this once. But so help me God, if you ever act that way again, I’ll castrate you.

As for good old Beowulf, the author states that he sought the glory of the saints, so I’d say yeah, he did go to heaven.

-AJ

Not even two minutes later,he replies.

From:[email protected]

To: [email protected]

Re: Re: I’m Sorry

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