The Fire Starter by Misty Wright, Summer Sauteur

you."
    Amidst everything that he's saying, there was one thing nagging at me. If Spencer hadn't gotten there on time, I would have been gone. But then… "What would have happened to Spencer then?"
    Blake didn't answer this. The seriousness in his voice was gone, and it was replaced by his usual arrogant demeanor. "I've probably said enough. So, are you sharing your bed with me?"
    "You're mad at me, aren't you?"
    "What? Why would I be mad at you?"
    "Because if they are as horrible as you say they are, they would either take Spencer too, or…kill him." I didn't know where I got that idea, but I knew it was true. I would get their friend killed because I couldn't follow the rules. Maybe that's why Reid didn't stay with me and instead asked for Blake to do it. Maybe that's also the reason Evan didn't talk to me.
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    I didn't want to be better the next day, but it seems whatever 'magic' the gypsies used on me had already worn off. I felt as good as new. It's as if nothing happened. I could go to class and do my routine as usual. But I didn't. There's someone I have to thank for risking his life for me, and for being suspended because of me.
    I found him in the library, of course. I carefully slid across the booth, checking to see if he was mad at me or not. I just needed to thank him. That would lessen the burden I felt inside my chest. "Hey," I said tentatively.
    He didn't look up, but he acknowledged me with a "Hi."
    "Here," I took the sandwich I had brought from the cafeteria earlier and pushed it towards him. "I'm guessing you haven't eaten yet.
    "Thanks," he said, but his hand didn't move to take my peace-offering.
    I should just finish this as quickly as possible. "I'm sorry you got suspended…"
    "It's okay. I could finish our project in the mean time. I won't be missing much."
    "Spencer…"
    "Did you really think I didn't want to take care of you?" he asked all of a sudden, his eyes trained on me. I squirmed in my seat at the intensity of his gaze. He was mad at me. That was plain and clear.
    I'm sorry I'm being difficult, okay! I'm sorry you're stuck here with me instead of being somewhere else because clearly you don't want to be here!
    I struck my forehead with my palm. I shouldn't have said those things. I shouldn't have been angry at him, when all the time he had been taking the blame for me. But what should I say?
    "You have no idea about the things that you're saying. You have no idea of how you're hurting people," he said through gritted teeth.
    "I'm--"
    "And don't even say you're sorry."
    "But--"
    "Nobody told me to go after you, Kayleigh. And nobody had to. I knew where you were going, and that it was dangerous out there. They could have killed you!" The librarian shushed, but Spencer was beyond caring. "I don't care if I'm suspended, but I can't lose you!"
    I think I heard that last past incorrectly. With the tears streaming down my face and with the anger his eyes were communicating, it seemed impossible that he said he didn't want to lose me. What did that even mean? "I'm sorry for all your trouble."
    I found myself running. Not outside the gate this time, because I already know the dangers that await out there. I just wanted somewhere quiet; somewhere no one else would go to. I opened the heavy door surprisingly easily and crossed the moat before circling to the forest. It's just before lunch, and everything should be easy to see. I could choose one of the low trees and hide under its shade while I make sense of everything.
    He's angry at me. He's not just angry, he hates me. He hates me because I endangered my life and he had to endanger his to get to me. I think I've never hated myself before, but I'm quite certain I hate myself right now.
    What happened to changing, to being a better person? A better person wouldn't be hurting others, endangering their lives.
    But I didn't know about magic either. I didn't know it existed, I don't even know if I believe it now. It all sounded absurd the way Blake said