Page 53 of Juliet's Echo

By the time she finished, she was so close I could smell the mixture of mint from the gum I'd popped after the meeting and caramel from whatever drink she had been drinking.

I liked her better like this.

In my personal space.

Eye to eye.

Even if I still had height on her.

“You ran out of Sunday's and avoided me for two weeks. Didn't show up for class. We're paired on an assignment, and all I get from you are subject lines and attachments.”

My voice deepened.

My stare never left hers.

“So tell me, Juliet. When exactly did you leave room for communication?”

The fire in her eyes flickered, and for the first time since I’d entered the room, she looked vulnerable.

“You don’t understand.”

I noticed the slight wetness gathering in her eyes before she quickly turned to walk away.

“So talk to me,” I said, reaching for her arm.

My grip wasn’t aggressive, just enough to stop her before she could shut me out again.

“Help me understand.”

She looked down for a second, staring at where my hand rested against her arm, before finally speaking.

“I couldn’t hear.”

My grip loosened.

“I couldn’t speak.”

Her voice cracked, and whatever anger I had left in me started to drain.

“I couldn’t breathe.”

Every bit of anger I walked into this room with began slipping through my fingers.

“My condition causes selective mutism when my emotions flare. Especially anger and fear. It hasn't happened in years. Not since I got my aids.”

She swallowed hard.

“When I saw you bleeding... saw Mega carrying me away... saw an impending attack that could've killed you... and I couldn't do anything.”

Her eyes finally met mine.

“So no, Psalm. I didn't leave because I didn't care.”

The room suddenly felt too small.

“Because I cared, I managed to scream for Mega to turn around and help you.”

Damn.