Word has it that opposites attract. Jessica Keith would give the pithy expression two middle fingers because a wild party girl like her and the prim do-gooder, Matthew Parkinson are opposites hopeless to attract, let alone breathe the same air.
Howe...
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Jessica
"Matthew, I think my fist is fine now. Just hand me over that pack of frozen peas."
He closes the first aid kit and gave my hand another minute of perusal. "Are you sure?"
"For the hundredth time, yes, I'm very sure. Now, please, sit down. I need to look at your," I tried not to be specific, "face."
"Is it really that bad?" He sat down on the bar stool in front of me.
"Well," I gulped.
"Be honest." He reaches for the frozen peas and lays it gently on my hand.
I trace a finger to his jaw and visibly tensed.
"That bad, huh?" He smiles.
I chewed on my lip. "Yep. This is going to be one hell of a black eye."
"Really? It hurts a little, but I didn't think it's this bad."
"Well, you're lucky the punch landed mostly on your cheek, but a little unlucky that somehow it reached the skin underneath your eye." I reached for the ice pack and placed on the area where it swelled the most.
"So, it's not officially a black eye since it's just underneath the eye?"
"It's a black eye," I reply.
"Oh. Okay."
I applied a little pressure.
He winced.
"Sorry."
He chuckled. "It's okay."
We fell into a two-minute silence.
I sighed, deciding that this should be the right time to bring up the club fiasco. "You didn't have to do that, you know."
"I know. You could've handled everything yourself. You broke the guy's nose for heaven's sake."
I smiled. "The first punch was yours. By the time it was my turn you've already startled him."
"You don't have to make me feel better about it. We both knew what happened."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
He laughed softly. "I punched like a little girl."
I bit the inside of my cheek. "No, it was okay."
He nudges my knee with his. "Come on, let it out. I know you're holding back a laugh."
"I do not," I said with a feigned gasp.
He chuckled.
"Really, though. You didn't have to do what you did."
Matthew smiled. "You mean, embarrass myself?"
"No. You know what I mean. That bastard is not worth it."
