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"Marissa," I tried again There was no her and me

"No--"

I interrupted her, "--I had Nate take care of you because I was having sex with Sam"

She choked on her protest and fell back a step Her hand flew out, grabbing hold of the Escalade, righting herself Her mouth clamped shut Even under the rain and in the darkness, I could see that she had paled "No, you were protecting me from her You didn’t even wanther off again, "I didn’t want you to meet her because I didn’t want her to find out that I let people bully you I never stopped them, and I should’ve I was ashamed I didn’t want Sam to look down onduty The truth is that I never should’ve invited you, but I was trying to be nice I was trying not to be an asshole all of the tiu to spin it someway I couldn’t let her "Stop, Marissa I don’t like you"

Her hand fell froh school You were a vacation foryou to escape fro piranhas everywhere else in ot hurt and picked on, but I don’t like you I don’t love you I don’t even want your friendship"

Her mouth fell open and lowered with each statement I delivered By the end, she couldn’t lookoff my words She turned to the side, but stopped She whispered, "I love you"

"You don’t even know me"

When she looked up, the ret flared in o away and stay away I made sure the coldest, fuck-youabout iven you attention I didn’t knohat a head case you were going to be"

"Stop"

"And stop using Nate to get toso you around aze Her head lowered all the way down I couldn’t see the tip of her nose If she could’ve curled up in a ball and disappeared, I had no doubt that’s what she would do For aI did I rean warnedto hell

Marissa was already broken I’d been her slight ray of hope, helping her get through the storm, and I just snuffed that out of her I had broken her evenI should probably stop soon, I added, "Just stop co around Leave me alone Leave my relationship alone Leave my friends alone This is for you too Stay Away Fall in love with souy, someone ill care for you, but keep away froo and never come back I don’t even want to see you in class"