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“A little bit”

“Proud of you, Stella”

I pretend curtsied from the couch

He looked down at the glass in his hand and then toward the kitchen Yet, instead of walking away, he cleared his throat “I don’t do documentaries”

“Oh?”

“They are often based on sad situations, and I don’t like watching sad situations I’ve lived enough of the extra sadness to my mind” He rubbed the back of his neck “I’d hate to accidentally manifest more sadness into my life”

I sestured toward the emptied side of the couch “Which is why you should watch this ros”

“They are so cookie-cutter,” he grumbled

“I know That’s why I love theuaranteed a happily ever after I think the world could use a few estured toward the emptied couch cushion

He huffed It wasn’t his annoyed huff, though Over the past feeeks, I’d been able to learn the difference in the type of huffs, grurimaces Damian shared Some were for when he was mad Others when overwhelmed Even a few for when he felt discomfort

This one was the latter, I believed

I’d hoped

“I have work to finish,” he said, rejecting my offer

“Oh Right, of course Well, have a good night I’ll be here if you change your mind”

He nodded once before walking off to the kitchen I went back to my blanket, snacks, and ridiculously corny ht about it When Da to the kitchen with a full glass, he didn’t look lanced toward him Then back to the television my stare went

I hadn’t even noticed that Da my attention back toward him

“Yes?” I asked

“I, um, I should be done ithin thirty to forty-five minutes You know If you start another cheesy movie”

I s to be invited to join me for the next film?

“Of course This one only has like fifteen minutes left, but I’ll wait for you to join”

He frowned “No It’s fine You go on It’s not a problem”

He started walking away, and I called out, “Damian”

“Yes?”

“I’ll wait for you”

The corner of histo deny , but I cut him off