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Word Prompt: Rant

Plot Generator—Binding Blurb: In 500 words or fewer, write a blurb or a short entry on the dog days of summer.

Not beta'd.

Paying attention in my first class is all but impossible. I hate how Masen and I left things. I need to apologize again, even if I'm the last person he wants to hear from.

My study session with Angela is marginally more productive. She goes off on a rant about the size and scope of her creative writing assignment, so I don't think she realizes that I'm distracted. The scones I brought her seem to go a long way towards making up for my mental absence.

We grab lunch—a bagel and chocolate milk—and sit under the trees outside Sanborn Hall.

I watch her eyes drift across the lawn to a group of guys. Her attention is on the black-haired boy at the edge of the group.

"Do you know him?" I ask.

"He lives in Bissell Hall on the floor below me. I see him in the lounge sometimes. He goes there to read. He must like the noise or something."

"Does loverboy have a name?"

She stares at her feet, struggling to keep the shy smile from her lips. It gives away exactly what how she feels about him. "Ben, I think."

"He's looking this way."

She raises her head and meets his gaze. His eyes dart away for a moment, but come right back to her face. He's so unsure that he can't quite smile, but his whole expression softens. Angela studies his face thoughtfully, her intent unwavering. She looks hopeful, confident—open to the world of possibility that exists between them.

Witnessing their moment, feeling the potential in it, stirs me, and I have to look away. Attraction is so simple, not at all like what has unfolded between Masen and me. Then again, maybe chemistry is the easy part. If the dance he and I are doing is any indication, surrendering to the seduction is where things become confusing and complicated.

"Do you have someone?" she asks.

"Nope, completely and utterly single." I try to keep the despair out of my voice, but Angela picks up on it anyway.

"No need to be down about it. The pickings around campus are pretty good."

"I found a guy. I'm just not sure he's interested."

I tell her about my instant fascination with Masen, detailing his charm and our easy rapport. She finds his desire to keep so much of himself hidden as strange as I do. After explaining our fight, she encourages me to text him an apology.

"It can't hurt," she says. "It might make you feel better, and you're not pressuring him for a reply."

Her advice makes sense. Once she leaves for class, I send Masen a text.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss I'm sorry :(

I don't really expect him to answer, but I can't deny that I hope he will.

By late afternoon, I'm starting to worry. I send another text, just in case he didn't get the first.

I'm so sorry. Please don't be angry with me. I know I screwed up. If you forgive me, I'll bake you cookies. :)

At 7:30, with no way to get home on my own, I phone Angela. There's no sign of Masen, and he's not answering his phone. Thankfully, she invites me to crash in her room, so at least I'll have a place to stay. She's more familiar with the campus than I am, so I ask her to text me directions to her dormitory, including as many landmarks as she can think of so I don't become a victim of my poor sense of direction. I pack up my books and head out.

I'm more disappointed in Masen than anything else. I don't care that much about not having a ride, but I wish he'd given me a chance to apologize.

A block away from the library, a car honks at me. Seeing his silver Volvo behind me makes me feel a little foolish for jumping to conclusions. I toss my backpack on to the floor and slide into the passenger seat.

The wrong pair of eyes is staring back at me.

"You must be Bella. It's nice to meet you. Edward's told me so much about you."

A/N: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

Welcome to the new group of people reading. I'm glad to have you here.

There is a great divide in how reviewers feel about what's going on. Some want Masen to apologize. Others think Bella went too far. It's been very interesting for me to see your reactions, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing them with me.

I'm still behind in review replies. My writing time has been almost nil for the last week, so I'm focusing on writing and asking for your patience once again. Thank you in advance.

You can follow me on Twitter: (at sign)picklewinkle

And with that, I can't wait to see how you feel about this chapter :) Leave me a review and let me know.