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.

wasn't

around his waist and pressed my teary face against his chest.

I should be punished. Do you

he just held

left me in tears,

the tears and the argument,

looked for a way to ease the

into the bathroom

Brandon

my teary reflection in the mirror when he said

had 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 some

indulgence and

you need to stop this,"

He was now in

and he set aside his computer to take the towel

thought about the dinner we had and said,

moved through my hair and massaged

deceived me and didn't tell me

"Hmm?" He seemed confused.

Xander was you. I assumed you were deliberately hiding your identity from me." "Why