"45"

“I’m not.”

Ahbaya’s reply made me turn to her direction again. She wasn’t looking at me this time, instead she stared out the window as she spoke. Her expression was passive and distracted by something that she was thinking about, whatever that was.

Now, it was only a matter of easing her into the situation, telling her how I feel without stating the obvious. I’m not that brave, not worthy of her. But I had hope.

I looked back at the window. “Do you want me to go?”

Instead of a response I felt a sudden force on my left side. Ahbaya kicked me causing me to lose my balance and slightly lean towards the other end of the bed. I regained my balance and glared at her.

She crawled towards the edge of the bed and leaned against the wall. “Such a drama queen.”

I returned my attention to the window, an annoyed expression on my face.

“Leave or stay, it’s your choice.” She continued. “I’m never going to make you do something you truly don’t want too.”

I wanted to retaliate with ‘What a lie! What