Page 34 of Entwined

“I found out who she really was… and didn’t like it.”

“Yeah, that pretty much sucks.”

“I love how you American’s talk. It’s direct…”

I pause, looking longingly at the barn and outdoor ring set up with a jumping course.

“How much time do we have before class?”

“Not enough. We can come back after.”

“Fine. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this.” I say again, more to myself. I think I’ve just found my saving grace—a way to survive Gretchen. I can escape to the barn just like I did when I needed to escapeEl Diablo.

“That’s not a word.”

“It is too!” I insist, huffily.

“No. No it’s not.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” My eyebrow rises.

“No… maybe just ill-educated.”

“Ah!” I sputter, pretending to be insulted.

“Exactly. Nonplussed is not a word.

“It is a word.”

“Maybe in your slang American dictionary. Not in the proper English one.”

“Well,” I scoff, “you clearly didn’t establish the rules before we began playing. I vote we can use both “proper English” and “American” words in this game.”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath, “it’s not a real word.”

“And it’s a double word score for me!’ I grin, victoriously counting my points. I met Ben after dinner for coffee, desert and Scrabble. It’s not a date, but it kind of feels like one the way he keeps looking at me. I reach into the bag plucking the last three letters, “I hate her.”

“Your roommate?”

“Yes. I almost killed her today.”

“What did she do now?”

I sigh, blowing a lock of hair out of my face. “She opened a care package from my parents. It was addressed to me of course. But she took it from the mail room…, anyway when I got back after my last class, she was raiding it. Touching it, reading the very personal letter my father wrote to me.”

He shakes his head, “She’s evil.”

I bite my lip. “Things have been going missing. The first week it was stupid little things… my hairbrush, favorite pair of wool socks… then a few notes from my wallet.”

“You need to report her.”

“And do what? Go where exactly? All the dorms are full, and I can’t afford a flat in London.”

“You can’t let her get away with this Jessie.”

“I know. And I’m no coward.”

“You definitely are not.” The gleam in his eyes is apparent as he looks at me. I turn my head flushing a bit. My clit sings a high note as I re-cross my legs causing friction to rub against the bar.

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