Crossroads

Even though he was right and I knew that I was at fault, why did I feel like I was the one who had been wronged? Why did I end up crying?

Brandon turned back and, seeing me crying uncontrollably, reached out to hold me again. "It's my fault for being too harsh. I won't say such things again." The more he said this, the more upset I felt.

I raised my hand and hit him. "You're not at fault. Why are you saying it's your fault? It's clearly my mistake."

"No, Mae, you're not wrong. It's my fault for having ill thoughts and speaking carelessly." Brandon insisted on taking the blame.

This made me even more distressed. I hit him again and again.

Finally, overwhelmed by my tears, I bit him.

"That hurts," Brandon said.

It was the first time he had ever said that.

I sighed in relief. Tears were still streaming down my face as I looked at him. Brandon wiped my tears away. "Once you're done biting, no more crying. Otherwise, your eyes will be swollen tomorrow, and that won't look good."

"It's all your fault," I blamed him again.

"Yes, it's my fault. I won't do it again," Brandon said as he wiped my tears away.

he wasn't

my teary face against his chest. "I've become

said anything. I should be punished. Do you want to bite

he just

in tears, but

and the argument,

to

into the bathroom and shutting the door behind me. "Brandon, I was wrong. I'll change," I admitted through

always right," Brandon said

at my teary reflection in the

always been careful around Chris. I never acted out of line. I monitored his every mood, and if he frowned, I would worry that I had upset him in

and affection, I found

stop this,"

Brandon had already warmed up the milk. He was now in his loungewear,

he set aside his computer to take the towel from

I drank the warm milk, I thought about the dinner we had and said, "Brandon, do you know I've

hand moved through my hair and massaged my

you deceived me and didn't

"Hmm?" He seemed confused.

Xander was you. I assumed you were