Forgive

Maisie sobbed for about five minutes. All I could do was stroke her head. Gradually, she quieted down, but it seemed she had no intention of breaking away from me. Another five minutes later, she quietly sobbed and asked:

"You're going to punish me, aren't you? I realize what a terrible bitch I've been... God..." She seemed to be starting to overwhelm her again.

"Maisie, you're not crying anymore. You feel better now. You're still fully aware of everything that happened and what you understand now, but at least you can hold back your tears."

"Thank you..." She gently, reluctantly pulled away from me, returning to the passenger seat and looking up into my eyes. Her eyes were completely different now. The indifference was completely gone. They were filled with warmth, pain... and gratitude.

"Brad, please forgive me for everything I said." And forgive me for all the pain I've caused you all this time with my indifference and manipulation... I can't even imagine what you felt during that time... I know you have to punish me. And you know, I'll accept it. Remember how I said I hated you? Well, that's not true anymore. It's hard for me to say what I feel now, but it's clearly the opposite. And most importantly, I'm so grateful to you. It hurts, but for the first time, I feel truly alive... And oh God, how terrible it is to fully comprehend the nightmare that was my life before... - She shuddered and hugged herself.

I couldn't take it anymore; I jumped out of the car, ran around it, opened the passenger door, and hugged her. She gently laid her head on my shoulder. Her warm breath almost burned my neck.

"Why punish you, silly girl... It's not your fault your body malfunctioned." Psychopathy is a disorder of the brain's neurotransmitters, an organic pathology. Not even a psychiatric malfunction. I merely "fixed" you.

...What I didn't expect was a soft kiss on the neck, then on the cheek. Frankly, I flinched. But Maisie giggled mischievously.

"Listen, boy of steel, I don't know which Krypton you're from, but I'm sure of one thing: since you've loved only me since childhood, you don't have much experience with the opposite sex. And that's my fault and responsibility," she concluded, her tone unexpectedly serious and mature.

"Yes, I'm from Earth, from Earth!" I muttered, mentally kicking myself and trying to pull myself together and not turn into a "lovesick puppy" again.

"I'm not sure, but I can't order you to tell the truth." Maisie pulled away, not irritably, but softly, as if reluctantly. She looked into my eyes with a smile.

"You know... I want to ask you something... It's going to be really weird... But... I might need it just as much as you do. Hell, maybe even more than you do..."

"Sooooo... You haven't even managed to get my forgiveness yet, and already these manipulations are starting again?"

"Do you really forgive me?" There was so much hope in her voice, posture, and gaze that I gave up.

"Of course I forgive you. I told you—it wasn't your fault. It literally wasn't you."

"Oh, my God, what a fool I was..." She pressed her forehead to mine, cupping my cheeks with her hands. "Brad. Ask me what I feel?"

"Maisie, what are you feeling right now, honestly?"

"I think I found a guy I don't deserve. I feel like I'm starting to fall in love with you." You know, this is all new to me. I've never felt anything like this. And the new you is definitely not a "genderless cuckold." You're downright scary, but there's a strange, cold power behind you. Now, can I ask you for something?

"Okay then. Let's try. But keep in mind – I might not fulfill your request."

"Brad, please command me to think of you as my boyfriend of 15! My beloved, my one and only, and my most desired!"

"WHAT?!" To say I was shocked and stunned is an understatement.

"I've already wasted too much time. WE have. I don't want to remember the life of the 'school slut.' And I don't want to doubt my feelings or trust my newfound abilities anymore."

I gently patted her on the head (and she, like a cat, reached out for affection), and thought very seriously....