Another Surprise

Imogene Scott

“Hii. I’m sorry.” I finally say as I stop in front of Keith.

His expression is ragged and it somehow scares me. He takes a deep breath and doesn’t say a word for a few seconds. When he finally does, his voice comes out condescending.

“Sorry? We’ve been planning this VR workshop for days and you suddenly just backed out?”

“I was caught up…”

“In something personal.” he finishes for me, scoffing hard. “That’s the thing, every one of you just upends our work anytime something personal happens. Y’all don’t get to abandon this project just because you feel out of place. I also feel out of place, every damn time, but you don’t see it affecting this project. Be fucking considerate for once.”

I flinch. Flinch at the agression. Flinch at the venom in his words. I’ve never seen Keith so pissed. I’ve really fucked this up.

“I-I,” I stutter, barely above a whisper. Lifting my eyes, I see the incredulous look on his face. “I’m really sorry.”

He laughs, but the laugh holds no humor.