j-joke? i… n-no, Katelynn no, *he reaches for her but it’s obvious he doesn’t know what to do; can he touch her now, or did he just ruin this? did he totally destroy the only thing that made him smile besides his art?* i-i’m not joking. why, why would i joke about this? i-i’m not bad, i’m not a joker about things like this…!
“Because…I’m damaged goods…” She blinked, the tears falling down her cheeks now. “I’m..not girlfriend material…”
She remembered the stares of her co-workers, the comments behind her back about her looks, her personality, saying how she would never land a boyfriend and would probably die an old maid. They figured she was an easy target because she was so meek that they could say whatever they wanted and she wouldn’t do a thing against them.
She had kept the smile, however, trying to be as friendly as possible so they would change their opinion. Her father taught her that you always attracted flies better with sugar than with dirt. And she had kept that saying in her mind as a reminder.
And she had long since accepted that no one would ever be attracted to her.
“How can..someone as wonderful as you like someone like me..?”
d-don’t say that, don’t ever think that! *oh that’s it. he’s putting his arms around her, pulling her into him, uncaring if the tray uptips or anything else happens around them. Roxy can eat all the cheese on the floor she wants, he’d just stick her outside later* Katelynn, i, i don’t, i know i can’t erase what’s happened to you, whatever it was or whatever it is that people h-have told you i’m not a genius n-nor am i a brainiac who can make machines like that to do it.
but you are wonderful, to me, y-you’re amazing. you’re so caring to everyone, you’re the high light of, of my day when you call me or text me and, and when you come around it always makes me so h-happy and i haven’t been this happy with anyone in all my life.
i’m sorry, i’m sorry i can’t make you forget what happened or what’s been said b-but i’m here now and. and i’d do anything i can to make you feel better, now, b-because i love seeing you happy and smiling and seeing you like this is breaking my heart. please, don’t, *he has to move an arm, trying to wipe her eyes with his sleeve as he holds it* d-don’t cry because of me.
Jack Maple 