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“Jess,” I breathe

She startles and stumbles into the doorframe I reach out a hand to catch her, but she jerks herself back at the last minute

I smile at her “Hi,” I say

She slaainst me and I force myself not to throw open the door and chase her into the room

I knock No one comes to the door I know she’s in there There’s not another exit, not that I’ainst the cool metal “Please,” I whisper

The door flies open and I nearly stumble into the room I catch myself on the doorjamb and look at Jess’s face

“Hi,” I say again, like an idiot

“Go away,” she says Then she ducks underthe door shut behind her

“Wait,” I call “Can we talk?”

She turns back to face er at my nose “Talk? Talk?” She shrieks the last word “After all this time, you suddenly want to talk?”

I nod “Yes Please”

“No” She turns and stalks down the corridor

“Come on, Jess–”

She turns back and advances onthe door “My name is Star And you would know that if you had returned any of the letters I sent to you over the years, you jackass”

“What letters?” I never got any letters