Сумерки

           "Iwaited,fumingandexpectant.

           "You’renotgoingtoletitgo,areyou?"

           "No."

           "Inthatcase...Ihopeyouenjoydisappointment."

           Wescowledateachotherinsilence.Iwasthefirsttospeak,tryingtokeepmyselffocused.Iwasindangerofbeingdistractedbyhislivid,gloriousface.Itwasliketryingtostaredownadestroyingangel.

           "Whydidyouevenbother?"Iaskedfrigidly.

           Hepaused,andforabriefmomenthisstunningfacewasunexpectedlyvulnerable.

           "Idon’tknow,"hewhispered.

           Andthenheturnedhisbackonmeandwalkedaway.

           Iwassoangry,ittookmeafewminutesuntilIcouldmove.WhenIcouldwalk,Imademywayslowlytotheexitattheendofthehallway.

           ThewaitingroomwasmoreunpleasantthanI’dfeared.ItseemedlikeeveryfaceIknewinForkswasthere,staringatme.Charlierushedtomyside;Iputupmyhands.

           "There’snothingwrongwithme,"Iassuredhimsullenly.Iwasstillaggravated,notinthemoodforchitchat.

           "Whatdidthedoctorsay?"

           "Dr.Cullensawme,andhesaidIwasfineandIcouldgohome."Isighed.MikeandJessicaandEricwereallthere,beginningtoconvergeonus."Let’sgo,"Iurged.

           Charlieputonearmbehindmyback,notquitetouchingme,andledmetotheglassdoorsoftheexit.Iwavedsheepishlyatmyfriends,hopingtoconveythattheydidn’tneedtoworryanymore.Itwasahugerelief-thefirsttimeI’deverfeltthatway-togetintothecruiser.

           Wedroveinsilence.IwassowrappedupinmythoughtsthatIbarelyknewCharliewasthere