Page 115 of Fractured Fates
“So you’re really considering forgiving Andrew?”
“I think he was genuinely sorry.” Winnie snorts. “A lot of people have been shitty to me since I arrived,” I continue.
“But this was–”
“He’s the only one who has actually apologized. Who actually seems remorseful for what he did. The only one who’s brought me flowers.”
“I suppose so.”
“Besides, I can see how it happened with those jerks from the dueling team.”
“At least everyone seems to realize what he said was garbage now. A lot of kids are laughing at him for making up shit.” I frown. “He deserves it!”
“Yeah,” I say, “I suppose he does.”
Although I’ve decided to forgive him, I let Andrew stew for a few more days until I actually tell him this.
We end up in the library together on Thursday afternoon. As I enter and take a seat at a separate desk, he eyes me nervously over the top of his book. I pretend I haven’t noticed him, opening another fat book of my own and leaning over to focus on the words.
After half an hour, a shadow falls over my page and when I peer up it’s Andrew, the corners of his mouth turned down, his face tired.
“Rhi,” he says, “can we talk?”
I signal towards the chairs around the table and he takes a seat.
“I’m really sorry–”
“I know,” I say. “And I forgive you.”
His mouth falls open and he gapes at me like I just agreed to marry him.
“You … you do?”
“Yes, if you promise never to do anything that dumb to me or any other girl ever again.”
He lays his hand over his heart, relief flooding his heart. “Believe me, I promise I never will.”
I wag my pencil at him. “I’d still like to hear you swear it.”
He smiles at me shyly. “I hereby swear never to make crap up like that again.”
“Good, and if you ever betray our friendship like that again–”
“You won’t forgive me a second time.”
I stare at him darkly. “I won’t forgive you and I’ll curse you and all your future children.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
His shoulders relax and he sinks back into his chair.
“I was thinking,” he says, “as another way of showing you how sorry I am …”
I chew the end of my pencil. “Uh huh?”
“That I could lend you that video game you like so much.”
“Really … but I don’t have anything to play it on.”
