“What? How dare you!” Of all the nerve! “Of all the nerve! Of course not. I just want them to think things through before they start the end of the world. I really don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

He looks at me and his eyes narrow. “You did it again.”

“Did what?” I ask innocently as I bat my lashes.

“Oh no. Don’t you try and look at me like that. You know exactly what you did.”

“I’m so tired,” I say as I yawn. I stretch to prove to him just how tired I am. “I may just take a nap right here on the beach. Watch over me so my virginity isn’t spoiled while I sleep. My precious flower is important to me.”

“Tyson James Thompson!”

Goddammit. “Blah, blah, blah.”

“You got me to change my own subject!”

“I didn’t make you do anything.”

“We were talking about Dominic.”

“I don’t know what you’re speaking of.” I yawn again. Gosh, I sure am tired!

“You’re slightly manipulative. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Look! The college boys are giving in to their urges and touching each other’s buttholes!” They’re not really, but with the way they’re groping each other, I’m sure one has accidentally slipped a finger in. It’s not as hard to go into a butt as one might think. Well, at least I don’t think so. I’m not exactly an expert on the matter. How depressing.

I can tell he almost wants to look, but somehow he manages to keep his eyes on me. I make a mental note that this is the first time Corey was able to resist my powers and I must take him out before he can become any more powerful.

“Fascinating,” he says. “Back to questions.”

“Strike you down, motherfucker,” I mutter.

“If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than—”

“Don’t you dare!” He told me once that he didn’t really understand the love and adoration of Star Wars. I very seriously considered at that moment trying to get him evicted from this planet. He tries to quote it every now and then to piss me off. People who don’t appreciate Star Wars are adding nothing to humanity and should seriously consider repositioning their priorities.

“Jar Jar Binks said that, right?”

“I will fuck you up, you blasphemous cretin.” And I will too. In the face.

“Tyson.”

“What?”

“You have questions. About Dominic. He has answers. Talk to him. It’s that simple.”

“It’s not.” It really is, but I can’t let Corey win that easily. The greatest moments in life are the ones you work hardest to achieve. You can quote me on that.

He sighs. “Emotionally stunted.”

“How does that make me emotionally stunted?”

“Some guy broke your heart. Boo hoo. Poor you.”

“Shut up, Corey.” Now I’m getting pissed.

“Poor Tyson! He loved and it wasn’t returned, and so he ran away and stayed away.”