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Emma furiously shook her head, running to the barn. She sat in the tack room, hyperventilating in fear. That nickname, that word, was etched into her mind for life. She heard Brock say it in her mind over and over |
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Ben saw Emma run past them, confused by her rush. He glared at Summer and hurried after Emma. He knocked on the tack room door, stepping inside quietly. "Emma. What happened?" He asked kindly, sitting down next to her. |
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"He said the same thing...he called me sugar... it's complicated...he used to call me that...I'm sorry for acting like that" she said, flinching slightly |
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Ben didn't understand what she was talking about, but he knew the men in the house must have said something to her. He put his arm around her and sat there, trying to decide what to do. He never really knew what to do around crying girls, but comforting them quietly always seemed to work. |
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"I'm sorry...I'm not trying to be annoying..." |
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Ben shook his head as he spoke. "You are NOT being annoying. It's been a hard few days, for me too. You'll never be annoying." |
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"I'm sorry..." She said, not really knowing what she was apologizing for anymore but still scared he'd be angry |
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"Seriously, stop saying you're sorry. I forgive you for whatever you're apologizing for." |
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She nodded. Summer walked in and scoffed. "What are you doing here?" She snapped at Ben. "And with her?" |
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Ben sighed. He looked at Emma apologetically. "Sorry, give us a moment." He stood and glared at Summer, walking out of the tack room. Once they were out of Emma's earshot, he turned at glowered at Summer. "She needed help," he snarled at her, pronouncing each word like it was a dagger. |
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Afternoon Storms, then Clearing
