[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

The wave of anger hit Jess like a punch to the stomach. [color=teal]"That's not what I meant!"[/color] she shouted, before falling quiet. She hadn't intended to snap like that, but the emotions she took on from Roxy were clear in her tone.

That had been so stupid of her, she thought as she took a deep breath, trying to dispel the seething. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She'd wanted to reassure Roxy that she'd do her best not to be a nuisance, but by doing so, she'd gone and pushed her away. Made her feel rejected. And it seemed everything she said made things worse.

Even so, after a few more slow, steady breaths, she slowly approached Roxy. [color=teal]"Look... I'm sorry,"[/color] she said, as calmly as she could. [color=teal]"I didn't mean it like that. It's just... I appreciate the offer, but it didn't seem fair to keep helping myself to your stuff. At least, not without giving anything back."[/color]

She thought back to her agreement to help out with the business. Would that be enough, though? Especially after starting out on less than great terms?