Because of Haven Beach

35 | nazlanmak

nazlanmak (v.)

pretending reluctance or indifference when you are actually willing and eager

* * *

ELI wasn't kidding when he said he'd make it up to me.

First period, he interrupted my calc class to give me a cold brew with extra cream and light ice—just how I liked it. He also gave me his jersey for the state championship football game later that day.

He didn't stop there with the presents. After third period, I found him standing outside my class, ready to walk with me to Environmental Science.

"What are you doing here?"

"Walking you to class," he said as if it were the most obvious thing ever.

"Didn't you have English? That's, like, all the way across the building."

"I ditched today," he said, steering me down a hallway that didn't lead to the science hall.

"I'm not ditching with you." I pried my hand out of his grasp and turned around.

He grabbed my waist, halting in me in my tracks. "We're just stopping at my locker. Relax, it's right here." He punched in his code and pulled out a gallon-sized jar filled with green M&Ms. "Here ya go. Part three of my apology."

"Oof," I said, almost dropping the glass jar on the ground. "This is heavy."

"Lemme carry it."

"No, I got it."

He ignored me and grabbed it, effortlessly tucking it under his arm. "Did you see my note?" He shifted the jar so the light green paper was facing me.

I ripped it off and started reading.

Roses are red, violets are blue.
I was a jackass, through and through.
Please know my mean words were untrue.

I deserve to fall in dog-doo,
but instead, I'd like to undo
damage I didn't mean to do.

Here's a present I made for you;
I hope these light green M&Ms
and very shitty poem will do.

Don't forget to give me a clue
if this present fixed me and you.

"Aww, thank you. This is adorable," I told him, a lip-splitting grin on my face, "Who knew the great Eli Cameron was a secret poet?"

"My mom helped me," he admitted sheepishly.

I gave him a half-hug. "That makes it even sweeter. Thank you."

A red flush crept up his neck. "So, did my shitty poem do? Are you still mad?"

"I forgave you yesterday, you know. You didn't need to get me anything. The coffee, jersey, and this are all way too much. I feel bad for not getting you anything. The fight was my fault, too."

"Hey, I wanted to. Your forgiveness is enough of a present for me. So, thank you."

"No, thank you. How did you get these so fast anyway?" I motioned to the jar as we started down the hall. "Don't you have to custom order the special colors?"