Mars? Yeah Right!

Chapter 20

20

After Teresa left, I went online for the first time in weeks to clear out my inbox and check my Instant Messages. There were a few from people in school, some friends in Dublin and various cousins. All was well and good...until I came across this:

sh*thappens: So yeah hi.  Eamonn here. I got your username off Teresa, I hope you don't mind. Look, for what it's worth, I'm sorry for everything that happened. I was a complete jerk, I know that now. Is there any way we could meet up and talk? I want to explain myself fully. Also...I have some news that I want to share with you. It'd be really great if you could reply soon and let me know if you'll agree to talk to me. I know I don't deserve a chance, but I still hope you'll give me one anyway. I have to go now, but I'll be waiting for your answer. Again...sorry.

I stared at the computer screen in disbelief. Was Eamonn for real? Did he really think that one apology was going to fix this? And who was he kidding, asking me to meet him? There was no way I was going anywhere near him ever again!

I read the message three more times. He did seem genuinely sorry, I had to admit. But that didn't mean I wanted to see him. Did it? Oh, this was so crap! I had had it all figured out in my head, and now this message had gone and screwed that up!

After about an hour of dithering, pacing and generally acting like a complete and utter twit, I finally decided...I was going to talk to him. It was better to do it now rather than end up having to face him in school in September (he was in the year above me) with the whole situation still hanging over us. My fingers hovered over the computer keyboard as I tried to think of a suitable reply. It had to be calm, clear and sophisticated with just a hint of iciness so he understood that I was still ready to kill him at a moment's notice. After about five minutes, I gave up on this format and wrote the first thing that came into my head.

violentsarcasm: Apology noted.  Meet me in the shopping centre at twelve tomorrow. I'll give you a half an hour of my time but no more.

To my surprise, his reply was almost instantanious:

sh*thappens: Thank you. It's more than I deserve.

Well, at least he knew that much.

                                                                                       *****

When I got to the town centre, Eamonn was already there waiting for me. He stood up quickly as I came towards him. I studied his face carefully. Had he been sick or something? His looked...pale. Or maybe that was due to nerves. I was feeling a bit shaky myself actually. Who knew how this was going to go?

When I had reached the spot where Eamonn was standing, he shuffled uncomfortably. "Hey."

"Hey yourself."

"Thanks for coming. I know you're still pissed so it means a lot."

Despite myself, I found myself feeling less angry with him. He did seem well and truly sorry. But I had no intention of letting him off the hook that easily, so I didn't let on I was weakening. "So," I said flatly. "You've got thirty minutes. Start talking."

He jumped. "Here? I thought we could go in there and sit down." He gestured to a nearby coffee shop. I sighed. "Go on then." I followed him in and sat opposite him. Waiting.

Eamonn took a deep breath. "Well I guess first thing on the agenda is...sorry. I screwed up big time with you and I want you to know that I have no intention of ever asking you out again. I'll take your no and live with it."