Page 4 of Make No Mistake

“Ow! Oh, Mckayla, I’m so sorry!” He was rubbing the front of his head, looking embarrassed. His face was fire-engine red; a downfall of being a red head was when you blush, your face matches your hair. Poor kid.

“It’s fine, Lennon. Let’s just get this cleaned up.” I leaned forward, maintaining a safe distance from him, and picked up the papers around me.

Jay kneeled next to me to help with the cleanup. He was trying not to laugh, but I could see the smirk on his lips. He gathered the last few and took the rest from my arms.

“Thanks, guys. Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

I count count how many times I’d heard Lennon say those exact words over the past four years. He always had the best of intentions just the worst execution, or luck.

“No problem.” I looked at Jay and raised my eyebrows, trying to signal to him to say something to Lennon to make him feel better.

“Yeah, no big deal, buddy.”

I cringed at his words. No twenty-one year man wants to be called buddy by anyone, let alone his peer.

Lennon shrugged and apologized again as he set up his computer at one of the long tables.

I went back to my computer and began putting things in my bag. I’d caught up on enough homework, and I needed time to mentally prepare for an evening out.

“See you guys later.” Jay waved as I passed and pulled my bag over my shoulder. I looked at Lennon, but his headphones were in and he was oblivious to us.