~~
Star
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"That's three times now you've said something I don't quite understand. But aside from that, you are right, I do blame myself a lot. But, I think I am just conditioned to do that. Every time someone came to see me when I was with my family, it seemed like they were always blaming something on me so it's just habit."
"Yeah, well, I will break you of that habit." She grinned. "How about I pinch you if you blame yourself unnecessarily." She had a mischievous look in her eyes when she said that.
"Um, n-no thank you." I stammered a little as I tried to answer that.
"Fine, I will find another way. But as long as you understand that today was not your fault."
"Yeah, but-."
"No buts." She cut me off again. "Today. Was. Not. Your. Fault." She was glaring at me, though it looked more playful than mean. "Say it."
"But."
"Say it." She insisted again.