Chapter 38: Chapter 16 - Mariano (1)

Riri stares at me. I wish I can read her mind right now, reach inside her mind, and take a look at all her thoughts in it. She appears hesitant to answer. 

"I'm fine," she says, and I stop myself from scoffing.

"Are you sure?"

"Why do you care how I am?"

"Why not?"

"Gee, I don't know. You left as soon as we got here. You don't seem to care as you're always not around. So why bother asking?"

How hard is it to answer my question? I straighten my back and walk over, folding my arms across my chest as I tower over her, giving her a questioning look that sends people scurrying away. She doesn't shrink, though. She looks at me head-on as if she's not afraid, and I know she isn't.

"Are you disappointed that I'm not home? Do you miss me?" I can't help myself from poking the bear because she started it first. I was being nice and here she is, being a little shit.