Page 44 of Unrivaled Love
Oh fuck!
No! No, no nonononono.
In a full-on sprint, I launch myself down the steps and out towards the hiking trails. I would have heard the crash right? Maybe she took a different path.
I stand in the driveway and scan the woods. Hoping to catch sight of her bright white uniform. There are other paths she could take but the one where the tree trap is set up is the longest and most secluded route.
Exactly where a sad person would go to be alone.
I hustle in that direction and maybe against my better judgement call out her name.
“Jo, hey, c’mon back. Talk to me.” I call out as I move as quickly as I can down the trail.
“Leave me alone, Bryson!” She calls out and it’s a sad sound but it isn’t too far off. I keep going.
“Come back! I want to talk with you about Flora and why she made certain decisions.”
“No.” She sends back and I hear a twig crack. My spine stiffens waiting for a massive chain reaction but nothing happens.
Phew.
“Why not? I don’t get to talk to anyone about theFifth Flamebooks and it would be fun to know what you think.”
I’m looking out into the distance to try and catch her on a returning path so I almost miss where she’s sitting and leaning against the log.
The. Log.
My brain tells me to proceed with caution.
Approach slowly.
I stop and keep us several feet apart.
“Why did you follow me, Bryson? I just want to be alone.”
“I uh,” I rub the back of my neck and look around for help answering that question but no one else is here.
“Whatever,” Jo huffs and then to my dismay she stands and stomps on the log to keep moving down the path. It sways the tree next to it a little but nothing happens.
Thank fuck.
My calculations were wrong.
I have never been happier in the face of failure.
“Alright, see you back at the house for dinner!” I call with a big smile on my face because she stepped on the trap and didn’t send a tree falling to the ground. Later I might be annoyed that my attempt at physics was a bust but for now I’m elated.
“Seriously?” Jo turns and yells at me. I point to my chest to confirm she’s talking to me. All I did was wish her a nice walk and said I look forward to seeing her for dinner. I open my mouth to respond but before any words form she is storming back in my direction.
My eyes widen and I step forward hoping to keep the magnetic rejection space between us. If I move forward she won’t be able to get closer.
But it doesn’t work.
I need a physics refresher I guess.
“I can’t believe you not only ruined my book but then you followed me to bug me about it!”
“Jo,” I start but she cuts me off as she stands on the log and towers over me.
