Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 24

Elija

I've never wanted to murder anyone as much as I do now, staring at the mirror. Such a fucking moron!

"Dude, you okay?" Jamie asks as he enters our tent.

"Just hit me. I deserve it," I tell him.

"Okay, normally I'd gladly take you up on the offer but considering you look like shit, I feel obliged to ask what happened."

"I didn't kiss her. Well, that's not the dumb part. I almost kissed her, that's the problem. It's not like I didn't want to. Damn, I've never wanted to kiss anyone more but she seemed so sad and she's tired and I didn't want to take advantage of that. I wanted to settle on a hug but got carried away and I was so close to finally giving in to that stupid urge. Instead, my dumbass decided to leave. I just got up and left without a word, Jamie. What kind of jerk does that? Ugh! She must be so freaking confused now. Worst case scenario I made her feel bad."

I wonder if this is what Florence feels like whenever she rambles. I hope not since this sucks.

"Wow. I have no idea what to say to that other than that you should just go back and explain," my friend tells me. Why couldn't he just make a dumb joke the one time I need him to? Nope, of course, this is when he decides to be wise or whatever.

"I can't. I wouldn't know what to say and I don't think she wants to see me right now. Can you check up on her for me? I'll stay outside the tent and decide how badly I fucked up after hearing her speak," I ask my friend. That seems like a solid plan, right?

"I could do that, I guess. What's my excuse to bother her?" Jamie replies. Thank god for friends.

"Just ask her if she wants to hang out."

"Yeah, good enough. Now get your sorry ass out of that sleeping bag and follow me to her tent."

Our tent's not far from Florence's so it takes us mere minutes to reach it. Jamie uselessly knocks on the fabric of the tent before entering while I stay outside, trying not to look like a creep.

"Hey, Flower girl," I hear Jamie say.

"I'm sorry, Jamie, but I'm kind of tired right now." It feels like a knife twisting in my gut hearing how genuinely sad the girl sounds. I'm not even sure if she's wearing one of her façades which says a lot.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight?" Jamie goes on, making me wish he'd just take the hint and leave.

"I think I'll just sleep," Florence replies tiredly.

"Come on! I'm sure you'll feel better once you get some fresh air. You've been holed up in here for hours." If I could, I'd pull Jamie out of there myself. I know I asked him to check up on her but she's made it clear she doesn't feel like talking.

"Just leave, Jamie. I mean it. Please." The girl's voice breaks softly and the knife twists further. I didn't kiss her to prevent any further confusion and possible regret but hearing how beaten she sounds right now makes me seriously question my choice.

What's going on in that overactive head of hers? What explanation for my sudden exit did she come up with? I have a feeling I wouldn't like whatever it is. Probably couldn't be further from the truth.

"Right. Sweet dreams, then. See you at breakfast," Jamie says, failing at hiding his disappointment but still aiming for a cheery voice. He and Florence are similar in that way, I guess.

When my friend comes out of the girl's tent, he starts off by pulling me back to our own. There, we just sit in silence for as long as I can take it.

"So what do I do now?" I finally ask.