The Last of Many

I find it difficult having to stare into his eyes. Every time I do, it's like he's taking every part of me into his heart and it's overwhelming. I hate that it has to be this way as much as I love him, but he has a girlfriend and believe it or not, she happens to be my best friend. The sick thing is, I know how much she loves him because he's all she talks about. I get all there is to know about Graves and how he makes her feel first hand to a now intimate personal level as if he was my own, and it's slowly killing me inside each and every day.

 Kara is like the older sister I never got to have. She has looked out for through the toughest times and has made sure that I don't get hurt by anything or anyone. It would shatter her heart if she found out about me and Graves and I wish I could take it all back. This goes beyond the ultimate betrayal and I know that she'll never forgive me. I can't let that happen.

 "Malorie..." Graves whispers in protest against my lips, realizing that I'm not in sync with his mystical movements.

 I pry his hands from my waist and stubbornly fold my arms across my chest, trying to get a hold of my racing heart rate. "I don't think I can do this anymore."

 He looks at me, his glowing orange eyes searching my expression. "What?"

 "This." I motion my hands back and forth between us. "Us. It's...It's killing me," I force to admit regretting every second of it, but I can't find myself to stop.

 His eyes suddenly darken in disappointment. "Why not?"

 I give him a look and breathe out a shaky breathe. "You know exactly what I'm taking about. Kara is my best friend, YOUR girlfriend. We can't keep doing this to her.

 He takes a step forward as if there's too much space between us. "It'll get better I promise, just please...not now."

 I stare back at him with confusion. "What do you mean not now?" As if there's a set time limit as to when this should have happened. It should have never started in the first place.

 He takes my hands into his and I notice the hard bobble of his adams apple as he swallows. "Mal, I love you."

 I'm frozen into shock and replay the words that just came out of his mouth over and over in my head. I can't count how many days or how many nights I've dreamed for him to say those three simple words. Or maybe I am just dreaming again and I'll wake up to face reality soon, but this is all too real. Never once did I think this would happen and as much as I tried to prevent it, here it is presenting itself to me from thick nervous lips. I thought his heart would always stay with Kara and this thing with me was just lust and confusion between what he wants. Now I'm having second thoughts. I open my mouth to say something, but words seem to fail me.

 Graves' hands move to the middle of my back and slightly pushes me forward to plant a sweet gentle to kiss to my lips, and I want to move away but my mind is so all over the place it's not sending the right messages to my body so I stay frozen. I almost give in to the kiss, but thoughts of Kara fills my head and I grab his shoulders and force him back. "No," I finally say. "You can't love me. You love Kara. That's the way it's sup-" His lips find mine again, unwilling me to speak.

 He backs me up against his closed door as his hands cup my face and merely pulls away to look pleadingly into my eyes. "I'm not ready to lose you."

 I blink away the tears that threaten to take over and keep myself composed. "What about Kara?"

 "Do you love me?"

 I hesitate. "That's not the point. Kara would give anything up for me and I need to the same for her."

 "Does it matter if I would give anything up for you?"

 I frown, unsure of how to answer him. "Don't do this, you know why this is wrong. I'm sick of trying to keep a secret from everyone that I know. I'm tired of having to sneak around just to be with you. I'm starting to think I'm two different people and I don't even know who I am anymore." The tears are coming back, keep yourself together Malorie. Don't break down.

 He roughly slides his hand down across his face in frustration. "I can't help what I feel. How many times do I gotta tell you I love you until it changes your mind?" There's little humor in his voice.

 Even during some of the most worst moments he still tries to brighten the mood. One of the best qualities I cherish most about him. I sigh and stand on the tips of my toes to meet my head with his even if it does just come up to his eyebrows and close my eyes. I breathe in his sweet masculine scent and savor the moment and then take a step back. He looks at me with such heart break in his eyes it does something to my stomach that makes me want to throw up. He's hurting and I hate the fact that I'm the that has caused it. I softly peck his cheek and the second I walk out of his room, tears recklessly spill down my face. I nearly run out of his house to my car and speed home cause these tears aren't helping my vision down the road. Thankfully, I make it to my destination all in one piece.

 Tallah sees me walk in and immediately notices the condition I'm and rushes to my aid from the kitchen. "Oh sweetie what happened?" She asks in that memorable soft tone, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

 I shrug my mom off and dash up the stairs to my room, shutting and locking the door behind me. I plop down onto my queen sized bed and bury my face into my pillow, refusing to hold back any longer. I sob all of my emotions out of my system. Doing the right thing has never hurt this bad.

 The first time Graves and I knew we wanted to be together, we were in drama class doing a school play for Romeo and Juliet. As cliche as it sounds, our leading roles were becoming more and more realistic and there was no denying the emotional connection shared between the two of us. After the first kiss, we couldn't take it back. I tried pulling myself away from him after the play, but with him dating Kara and Kara being my best friend, there was no getting rid of him. Soon enough we started sneaking around and neither of us could help it. I am relieved though to not have to lie to Kara anymore. There were excuses on top of another and I'm honestly surprised she hasn't caught on. Although I'm free from all the deception Graves and I created, I'm going to miss every single thing about him. I'm never going to forget his gentle touch or how his kissed made me feel. The warmth of his body against mine...

 There's a soft knock on the door and I hear Tallah's voice on the other side. "Sweetheart, open the door."

 I'm not in the mood to talk to her right now. She's way too...giddy and she's only going to lecture me about the wrongs and rights of life that I'm going to have to face and give me that signature kiss on the side of my chin. Not even on some other day.

 "Please?" She begs. "I have some exciting news to tell you. It's about Klayton." She's such a terrible liar.

 I groan at the mention of my brother. The most popular -and handsome- guy in school. Oh why me? People are always in denial on if he's actually my brother or not as if they really couldn't tell the difference because they're too ignorant to pay attention. Yeah so what that he perfectly tanned caramel skin and dark luxurious brown eyes. Who cares about his brown wavy hair that's always shiny in comparison to mine and his bright magazine worthy smile that every girl dies for. If it weren't for the fact that he had joined football, he wouldn't have the bulky body and defined cheek bones. Whatever.

 I'm proud of my light brown eyes and thick wavy reddish brown hair that's only frizzy when I don't straighten it. I like my wide awkward smile that makes me look shy all the time. I'm lucky enough too keep the petite body I have considering the fact that all food is my favorite food and I have a good skin complexion too, caramel like Klayton's but not as tan. My cheeks are pretty rosy and I'm especially grateful for that because it's my proven factor to others that I have some attractive qualities too dammit. Besides Kara and Graves I'm a non-factor to everyone else and we have Klayton to thanks for that, allowing everyone to think that I'm some crazy weird bimbo and to piss me off so much I actually gave them a reason to believe so.

 "Not today mom!" I yell through my pillow.

 "You do realize that I could easily stick a penny in the lock and unlock the door myself, right?" She warns.

 I groan and reluctantly climb out of bed to open the door. Cynthia looks at me with a sad expression and hold out her arms. "Lets hug it out."

 I only stare at her. "Why are you always doing this? If someone were to punch you in the face, would you still want to hug them?" I don't bother hiding my annoyance.

 "Hey, don't get smart mouthed with me, I'm only trying to help. Besides, haven't I taught you never to use violence?" She gracefully walks into my room and sits down onto my bed, patting the spot next to her.

 I roll my eyes and sit down beside her as instructed, avoiding eye contact.

 "Now tell me what's wrong."

 I don't answer.

 "Tell me what's wrong or you'll just be moping around all day."

 I shake my head. "I don't want you to think that I'm a bad person.

 "I could never think you're a bad person," she says, truly offended. "You can tell me anything and you know that."

 I release a shaky breath before coming to my decision. She's right and I gotta give her that. She's the last person I would ever think would be judgemental about anything, she sees the good in everyone, and that's what I love the most about my mom. "You know Graves Dawson right?"

 She smiles as she recognizes the name. "Of course I do. He's such a sweet young man. Kara is lucky to have him."

 A sharp pain stabs at my heart. "I know but...we've been sneaking around." I bow my head in shame.

 Tallah clucks her teeth and shakes her head, "Oh no sweetheart."

 Tears leave my eyes all over again. "I didn't mean to! We were doing a play and we...we just...kissed!"

 "How long has this been going on?"

 I hesitate, unwilling to admit how long it's actually been, not even to myself. "Three months."

 Her hazel eyes slightly widen. "That's a long time," she says distantly. "Are you planning on telling Kara?"

 "No. She'll hate me forever. I just told Graves that we have to stop seeing each other."

 She nods in approval. "That was a good thing to do, but you're going to have to tell her eventually. Maybe she won't be so mad if you tell her the truth, before someone else does it for you."

 "She's good for holding grudges mom, and finding out that I've been sneaking around with Graves for three months will tear her apart. She'll never forgive me.

 Tallah wraps an arm around me and holds me close to her side, her wonderful lavender perfume wafting into my nose. I rest my head on her shoulder and relax against her. "You'll get through this, okay? God will allow everything to fall into place, either if it's good or bad."

 With that said, she moves to kiss the side of my chin and leaves me alone in my room. I lay down and decide to sleep it all off and when I awaken, the sun has gone down and I feel a small weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I walk out of my room and go to down stairs hearing Tallah and Klayton having a conversation. When I see them, Klayton is sitting at the wooden dining table going through his iPhone, and Tallah is hovering over the stove stirring spicy chili that I smell consuming the house in a large pot. I quietly make my way to the fridge and pour myself a glass of milk.

 "Well look what the cat dragged in," Klayton greets with that obnoxious smirk. "A sneaky little girl who thinks she can get away with anything."

 "Cut it out," Tallah says and puts her brown curls into a messy bun, stray strands dangling around her oval face.

 He ignores her and moves to stand beside me, lying his elbows on the counter behind him. "I saw two love birds kissing in this very kitchen who happened to looks just like you and Graves."

 I glare at him as that weight comes crashing right back down on me with a few extra pounds. He's the last...no not even the last person I had ever wanted to witness that. Now my life is definitely over. "Shut the hell up."

 "How is Kara going to feel when she finds out that you've been sleeping with her boyfriend?" He looks at me deviously.

 "Don't you dare tell her anything," I hiss at him.

 "Why not? She deserves to know that her own best friend has betrayed her. It's the-"

 "I said cut it out," Tallah raises her voice in warning. She turns to my brother who is right now seconds away from getting his teeth knocked into his throat. "Klayton, I advise you not to say a single word to Kara about the situation. Let Malorie handle her own problems, do you understand?"

 His dark eyes never stray from my face and a big smile spreads on his lips as he says, "Yes ma'am." He sits back down on the table.

 Now with my mood completely spoiled and my apatite lost and tell my mom that I'm not hungry and head back to my lonely room. I decide to hop into the shower using almost steamy hot water to relax my muscles. I don't know how long I stay in there but I makes sure to use all the hot water to piss Klayton off and crawl into bed, forcing all thoughts of Graves out of my head.

 

 

 

Awkward Encounter

 

I bang my fist on the alarm clock to shut off the annoying sound blaring in my ears, and slowly flutter my eye open. The last thing I want to do is go to school. I'd give anything to stay in bed all day and just seep, but I'm not the one ditch school and Tallah is way to smart to let me get away with it. Because I care for my life and future, I force myself out of bed and get dressed. I change into tight light blue skinny jeans and a violet tight plain t-shirt. It compliments my body and skin tone well and really brightens my eyes. It's the beginning of September in Colorado fall is the best time of the year. Never too hot and never too cold so you won't hear me complaining.

 

          I head to the bathroom to brush my hair and comb through my thick mess of hair that falls an inch below my shoulders. I tie it up into a high bun atop my head and put on a good amount of mascara and lip gloss, including my Calvin Klein perfume and go grab my backpack. Unsurprising to see that Klayton is there waiting in our grey 2006 Chevy by the time I'm out of the house, I hop into the passenger seat with a heavy sigh and fasten my seat belt. Klayton starts the car and turns on the music, dialing the knob to a ridiculous amount of noise.

          I glare at him. "Turn the music down you idiot! What are you trying to do?" I exclaim. The whole car is vibrating and I swear any longer of this and my head is going to explode. It is way too early for all of this. At this rate, this fool will by deaf by the time he hits thirty years old.

          Ignoring me, he smirks and speeds off from in front of the house. He must be getting at me for taking all the hot water last night, but you know what? I'm not having it. I open the car door and he slams on the breaks. "Are you out of your mind?!"

          I climb out the car and continue on my way to school. I care to ditch but I don't care if I'm late. Luckily our house isn't that far from school and by the time I get there, the bell hasn't even rung yet to start the day. Kara is waiting there for me on the steps of Mountain Peak high school and comes to approach me. She hooks her arm through mine and we walk inside.

          "Hey hun, why were you walking?"

          She never misses a thing. "Klayton," is all I have to say for her to get the clue.

          She shakes her head. "What a douche." We step in front of her ocker and she picks out her lip gloss, getting ready for her daily routine. To see Kara you would understand all the reasons why Graves fell for her in the first place. She has the beautiful black bone straight hair that stops to the middle of her back, hazel eyes that match her incredibly bushy eyelashes to help stand them out, and a knockout smile with freckles coloring her small pointed nose. A petite small body and a pretty nice butt as if she needed anymore good attributes. She has a lot more confidence than I do and that's why I look up to her. But I've been a terrible person to her despite how well she has treated me.

          "Have you seen Graves at all on your way here?" She asks. "My lips are moist and waiting.

          I fake a chuckle and pretend not to be bothered by her sentence as my heart leaps at the mention of his name. "I haven't seen him."

          "Hey Kara," a voice suddenly says from behind and we turn to see Graves standing there with a small smile.

           Kara jumps on him into a tight embrace and pulls away to plant a sloppy kiss on his lips. I can't help but to look away even though I have seen this plenty of times, though I have never gotten used to it. It's always been hard for me being next to them while they kissed, - clearly I'm the third wheel who can't get a boyfriend- especially when I know exactly what it's like. A sour lump forms in my throat.

          "I think I'm gonna have you kick Klayton's ass since Malorie won't do it herself. He left her to walk to school today."

           I scoff. "It's not big deal. Besides, taking a walk is exactly what I needed."

          "Can't say I'm surprised." Graves' voice is faint, barely audible with the mixture of students walking and talking in the halls.

          "Lets just say that payback isn't going to feel good for him," Kara says. "Come walk me to class."

         He nods his head and then pulls her into a random embrace only to stare directly and mouthe, "Stay here." He pulls away from Kara and takes her hand.

          She looks to me with a bright smile. "I'll see you later Mal."

           I wave and for some reason find myself actually waiting there for Graves to come back, knowing that it's a bad idea. I know his motives. He's going to try and convince to stay with him and although I'm so tempted to change my mind, I can't let that happen. I watch him as he comes back towards me and takes my hand, nearly dragging me out of the school over to the side of the building to not be seen. I lean up against the wall and put on a brave face as he takes his pace in front of me.

          "Malorie..." he starts.

          I shake my head, already knowing what he's going to say. "Stop it. She loves you." After seeing them together it put on a new determination in my attitude.

          "I love you."

          I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing that. "You don't love her back?" I ask, astonished and ignoring the flutters in my stomach.

          He sighs. "I do but...What I feel with you is something I've never felt before. I can't just ignore it."

          "But this isn't right and you know it."

            "You're the one that makes me happy Mal! Why won't you understand that?" His voice raises an octave. "You're the one I want to be with, I'm sorry but accept it and be with me."

          My eyes widen. This is getting out of hand and I'm getting a little pissed off. "How could you even ask me that question when you haven't broken up with Kara? It's bad enough that you've already cheated on her, do you not care about her at all?"

          He gives me a hard look. "Don't act like I'm the only one in the wrong here. You're her best friend remember? You're just as bad as I am."

          My head sags down and tears overflow my eyes.

          "Do you love me? At least give me that."

          "Please don't do this. You're making this so much harder than it has to be."

          "Tell me," he demands. "I need to know."

          I stare back at him with pleading eyes. "Please..."

          He runs a smooth hand through the locks of his black tousled hair. "If you tell me I won't bother you anymore, but I need to know that everything I've felt for you wasn't for no reason."

          I take a long time in answering him. "I don't want to but...I do," I finally admit and I almost confess all the feelings I have for him, but I keep them at bay for the sake of Kara.

          Before I know it, his lips are crashing against mine so aggressively I have to place my hands on his chest to keep him back a little. His hands find my waists and yanks me fiercely up against him and I'm unsure If I should pull him closer or away. That sweet masculine scent of his overtakes me and it makes me want him so much more. Places begin to tingle that I didn't know could and it robs my lungs of all oxygen . I kiss him back with all that I have knowing that this is going to be the last. My hands slowly run up his hard chest and come up to the sides of his face, my thumb caressing the bottom of his plump lip.

          "Don't leave me Mal," Graves says in a hoarse whisper.

           I don't know what to say. I have to do what's right or this is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I want to be able to cherish this moment and give in to it all so that I can be happy, but there's gotta be another way for me to move on. I can get past this.

          "You don't know what you've done to me," he continues softly. "I'm willing to give every part of me to you as long as you let me."

          "Kara loves you and you chose to be with her first. She's so amazing and you shouldn't pass that up just for me. I have to go."

          Graves repeatedly pecks my lips, holding me captive with his tender kisses, and I let him for a while before I step aside. I'm going to go to class." I walk away from him back into the school and head to my locker to get my things for my Biology class. Pairs of eyes follow me for being late as I take my seat next to Shari.

          "I'm marking you late Miss Boleman," Mr. Boe scolds me as he writes something on the board. I swear he has eyes on the back of his head because I have no idea how he saw me walk in.

          I don't bother to say anything. Shari and I don't talk much. The only time we do is when we're doing a project together because she strives for a good grade and she thinks I give her that. Mr. Boe goes on with whatever lesson he was teaching the class and I take hard notes to get every thought of Graves out of my mind. When class ends, I have no intentions of making any sort of conversation, but being best friends with Kara that'l be impossible. This may be the only time I wish I didn't have friends because I'm in such a foul mood.

          I got to my locker to get my things for my next class and before I can leave, Kara joins me. "Hey hun," she says. "have you noticed anything strange about Graves? He's been acting a little distant."

         I shrug. "I mean, it is still the beginning of the day, he's probably just tired."

          She gives me a -I'm-not-that-stupid look. "Come on now, we both now Graves. He doesn't get tired until it's three o'clock in the morning. Something's up with him." She puffs out a heavy breath.

         I resist the urge to groan and respond. "Just give it some time, maybe he'll come around."

         "Hey, if you know what's going on you should tell me."

          My stomach drops down to my feet. "I really have no clue Kara."

          She folds her arms across her chest stubbornly, refusing to give up.

          I quickly think of a good excuse to use to get her off my back or some kind of distraction that will help. "I'm sorry but I've got too much to think about right now. My mom has just started dating this new guy and I'm not sure how I feel about him yet."

         She gaps. "No flipping way. Is he a complete dork or the man next door with no kids and extra money in the pockets?" She doesn't give me time to answer. "Have you met him at all? Is he cute?"

          "He's cute in my moms type of way I guess. He'd be okay if he didn't try so hard." I'm literally making up a random character in my head. It's just been lies after lies with her and it's becoming to be way too easy. This is the only option for now until I can build up enough courage to tell her the truth.

          "What's his name?"

          Oh god... "His name is...Ro...Rich-Richard," I sputter.

          "When's the next time he's coming over? Maybe I can get a little sneak peak through the windows." She laughs.

          I giggle. "I doubt it. I don't think he's going to last long. He's busy all the time and the longer my mom sees him the more she loses interest."

      Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Well jeez, did she even give the poor man a chance? How long have they been going out?"

          "A week."

          She punches my arm. "And you're just now telling me this?! You should be ashamed of yourself."

            I just want to be done with the conversation already. "Well I told you that he's snot going to last long so there was no point in telling." I try not sound annoyed, and then I'm saved by the bell and I'm tempted not to cry out in joy.

          "Alright girly, I'll see you at lunch. I want more details about this guy too." She gives me a kiss on the cheek and we depart to our classes.

 

 

 

Reavealed

Thank God for the only last two classes we share, or I'm pretty sure I'd be in right now trying to avoid the truth from her. Unfortunately though, having my next class with Graves isn't going to make things any easier for me. As I step into the room, we make eye contact and his orange eyes watch me as I take my seat behind him. Mrs. Nicholeson walks to the front center of the room and starts. "Alright class, get out a pencil and paper and get ready for the test.

The room sounds of shuffling paper and small side conversations before the teacher tells us to quiet down and writes the questions down on the board. I didn't think to study ast night so hopefully I don't completely fail on this test. I'm only lucky it's not a big one. I make sre to think hard on every single question becuase I don't need any distractions to cloud my mind to keep me from a good grade. Ocassionally I find myself glancing at the back of Graves' head , missing they way his soft hair wouldd feel in between my fingers. Why did we have to be such idiots?

By the time lunch comes around, I'm putting away my books while Kara waits for me. "Please hurry, my stomach is eating itsself apart," she complains.

"Hey, it's not my fault you forgot to eat breakfast this morning," I say.

"But these people are rushing in line like a pack of wolves and all the good stuff is going to be gone soon."

I close my locker. "Okay okay lets go." I'm dreading this. All three of us sitting together while I try and act normal. Ususally it's better on any other day becuase Graves and I had gotten so used to hiding from Kara, but now that we've broken it off, I'm heart broken and have no idea how to feel.

When we've all gotten our trays of food, we sit at our common table by the window and I try my best to keep my eyes on my tray.

"So did Malorie give you the new details about her moms new boy toy?" Kara questions Graves.

He raises a curious eyebrow and gives me a look, nkowing that if something like that was really going on, he'd be the first to know about it. Mainly because of the fact that he's been sneaking in and out of my house. "Oh?"

I sigh and just go along with the story. "It happened a week ago." I pray that he plays along.

"And for some reason she's kept it to herself." Kara shakes her head.

"Well I didn't know that I was required to give you all information about my moms personal life," I respond.

"Oh come on now, I think that's something you'd want to tell your best friend considering the fact that your mom hasn't dated in years. How does that even make you feel?"

I shrug. "It's not that important."

"The hell it itsn't," she disagrees. "We need to do a full on background check to make sure this guy isn't crazy."

I take a small bite out of my apple, trying to act as nonchalant about it as possible. If Kara is freaking out about something as little as this, I can't even imagine how'd she react about me and Graves.

Graves keeps his eyes on me, cocking his head to this side in trying to understand the situation. I probably should have let him know about this while we had class together. I look away from him and I suddenly feel a long trail of liquid slide down the center of my back, my shirt now wet and sticking to my skin. Chils run through because it's not a warm feeling and I'm in complete shock. I hear cheering sounding from the side of the cafeteria and I can only guess it as my annoying brother.

"Whoops. Sorry. I thought a little decorating would bring out your outfit," Someone forces through chuckles of laughter.

I slowly turn around the most evil glare I could possibly convey and see Brandon standing there with an empty orange juice carton in his hand. "What. The. Hell." I say through tightly clenched teeth.

He throws his head back and bursts out laughing. I hear a few more people joining him.

"What the hell is your problem Brandy!" Kara shouts. "You are seriously asking for a death wish."

Brandy is the name we call him because calling him out of his name is the best way to piss him off. "Klayton was so right about this being one of the funniest reactions ever. This was definitely worth the dare."

I'm about five seconds from attacking him like a wild animal in the jungle.

Graves is up on his feet looking like he's about reaady to do the same, his hands balled into clenched fists and face red as a tomato. "Back off Brandy. Go back and join your clan of barbies."

Brandon clicks his teeth. "Now, when you say things like that I'm going to have to stay here and force you to make me."

Unwanted attention is all over our table and I jusst want to crawl into a deep hole and hide forever. I'm soaking wet and feel like a raging bull. Today is seriously not my day. Graves has now moved inches away from Brandon's face and it's uncomfortable even for me, but he doesn't back down. "Back off or you' regret it."

Brandon is amused. "Wow. So ready to defend your side chick. I never new they were that important."

My stomach falls right out of my ass.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about," Graves denies.

Brandon takes a step back and gives a devilish smirk. "Oh come on we're not that stupid. I can't really say the same thing about Kara though. She's had a front row seat for who knows how long and she still hasn't figured it out."

"Hold on a fllipping two cents," Kara jumps in. "What is he talking about Graves?"

A natural disaster about to tear the whole school apart, including me would be nice right about now.

This time Brandon doubles over and holds his stomach to laugh even harder. "My god, this is too funny." He takes a few breathers before continuing on through laughter. "Your so called best friend and so called boyfriend have been sneaking around your back for who knows how long, and unfortunately, I had to be the one to tell you."

Kara makes no movement. Staring at Brandon as if she really didn't undersstand him. "Stop lying."

"Ask them for yourself," he says.

Kara looks to me first, eyes wide like she can't believe it. "Please tell me he's joking."

I can't find it in myself to answer. All words fail me and all I can do is stare back at her. This is not how it was supposed to happen. This is all wrong.

"He's not," Graves answers for me. "I'm sorry Kara, but...I'm in love with her."

Kara stumbles back on her feet as if someone put a kick to her chest and I wince as the truth spills out of his mouth. I want to scream at him for admitting that in front of all these people. Does he really not care for her at all? This is absolutely embarrassing and harsh, the whole scenario. Kara storms up to Graves and slaps him so hard across the face it echos around the room, bringing me to the realization that the cafeteria is silent and listening. Then she comes over to me with fast tears rolling down her read cheeks.

"We've been best friends for six years...six years Malorie, and you really did this to me? All...I've ever done was look after you and this is how you repay me?" She sobs out a hard cry and I shrink into myself, feeling her pain. "By stealing the love of my life."

My lips tremble and hot tears mimmick hers. "I-I'm so sorry Kara. I didn't mean for any of thi-"

"Save it," she interrupts me. "I don't want your apology. I don't wany anything from you anymore." She slowly backs away from me and leaves the cafeteria.

I quickly rise to me feet, wanting to chase after her, but I know that she's not going to want to listen to anything that I have to say. I guess I could at least give her time to cam down, right? I hear clapping from the side of the room and I take notice that it's Klayton. I want to kick his ass so bad right now.

"That was awesome Brandon," he laughs. "What a way to make lunch so entertaining."

"I hate you," I mumble with so much anger I can feel my muscles tensing. I leave the cafeteria and enter into the girls bathroom. Thankful that no one is in sight, I collapse into one of the stalls onto the toilet and sob into my hands. I can still fee the juice that Brandon poured all over me and it's starting to stick to my skin. This is all around the worst day of my life.

What kind of brother does this to their own sister? I don't understand what has driven him to want to ruin my life, I have never done anything so terrible to him. Kara is seriously going to hate me forever and I don't know what Graves is going to do. Everything is screwed up and I'm so ashamed of myself. I went out with my best friends boyfriend for three months and never bothered to stop it at first hand. How could I really think I was going to get away with it? I knew the whole time that Kara loves him and yet, that didn't stop gfraves and I to continue to sneak around. I've waited too long...

However long I cry I don't know, and I don't care. I'd rather be stuck in the bathroom than to face everyone's judgemental eyes out there. They al know what I'vwe done thanks to Brandon and Klayton, and now I've just given them a bigger reason to stay away from me. I finally rise to my feet and face myself in the mirror. My make up has run down my face, causing to make me look like a sad clown, and my hair is sticky and matted to my scalp. It's going to be a pain to wash all this juice out. I wash off my hair and face to come to some kind of decency and leave the bathroom. Graves is outside waiting for me leaning up against the wall with his hands shoved in his front pockets. I turn in the opposite direction, really not in the mood to speak to him, but he grips my arm.

"Please wait," he says.

I reluctantly turn to him. "Right now is seriously not the time Graves so please, don't."

He frowns deeply. "Look, I'm sorry all this had to happen this way. This is my fault. You tried to stay away from me, but I was stubburn. I didn't want to stawy away from you and I still don't. I wanted to apologize and let you know that this doesn't change the way I feel about you. I'm still going to be here for you."

More tears form in my eyes as if I haven't cried enough and I feel so weak and vulnerable that I could literally fall into pieces. The tips of his fingers touch my chin, but I pull away from him. "I'm the wrong person you should be here for Graves." I walk away from him and head to class. It's a stupid idea, but I deserve it.

 For the whole rest of the day, I'm getting called numerous names from left to right. There are even some people brave enough to through pencils and little erasers at me when no one is looking. What's even worse is that Graves walks by me without a single glance, but it's for our own good. It's what I've been wanting -for Kara's benefit- but it hurts so bad knowing that this is the end. I realy wish we could be together, but I need to focus on what's the right thing to do. I want to be there for Kara and she doesn't want anything to do with me. I can't blame her for that.

Luckily enough despite my unlucky day, school is over and I can go to the comforts of my home. I wait by the car for Klayton since he has the car keys and start to get highly impatient. I've been waiting for almost fifteen minutes and he sttill hasn't come out yet. I need to go home and shower and sleep and forget about everything that has happened. I was able to change into a plain grey t-shirt from the nurses care, but I'm still sticky and dirty. Soon enough though he comes out with Brandon trailing by his side, and they walk together to the car.

I glare at them both as they approach. "What took you so long?"

Klayton smiles and I immediately know that he's up to something. "I was just running some errands. Nothing to worry about sis."

I stare at him skeptically.

Klayton goes around to the driver side and unlocks the doors. Brandon opens the passenger door and I look at him as if he's gone crazy. "What the hell are you doing?"

He smiles that charming smile I used to be head over heels for and says, "Well since football practice was cancelled, it's time to celebrate. I'm staying the night." He runs an arrogant hand through his black curls of hair.

"My ass!" I exclaim. "You can't stay the night, it's a school night!"

"Actually sweetheart, today is Friday."

Already? I could have sworn that today was Wednesday. "Don't call me sweetheart. What kind of eighteen year old guys have a sleep over? You want me to paint your nails too? And what did mom say about this?"

"Mom is going away for the night," Klayton says as he starts the car.

I get into the back, not planning on walking again. "We're not supposed to have company that mom doesn't know about."

"What mom doesn't know won't hurt her."

I shake my head. "You're such an idiot."

Admittedly but not with pride, I used to have a huge crush on Brandon. He is my brothers best friend which means he was always around and his attractiveness could catch any girls attention. Anyone could fall for his big brown eyes and rosy cheeks. He has that crooked irresistable smile, and he's so tall it's hard to ignore. Unfortunately, his personality is a complete bust and I've begun to think that him and Klayton are perfect for each other. The feeling I used to have for him are now like they never existed.

We head off on to our house and I'm the first one to the door. I have a house key so I let myself in and head to the kitchen, my stomach growling. I never did get a chance to finish what I had for lunch and I'm starving. I notice a note left on the dining table with twenty dollar bill and I pick it up to see what it says:

      

                                                I went out with some friends and I

                                                won't be back 'till the morning, so

                                                don't wait up. No company and

                                                don't eat up all the food (Klayton)

                                                I left twenty dollars on the table so you

                                                can order pizza.

                                                                     Love, mommy.

 

 

I shove the twenty dollars into my pocket and throw the note in the trash before Klayton can get to it. He'd spend the money on something stupid and I'm not going to take that chance. I go upstairs to my room, shutting the rood behind me and plop down into my bed. I grab the remote resting on my dresser and turn the tv on, flipping through channels on my small flat screen tv. I stop on a crime and suspense movie I've never seen before and watch as the person is stabbed repeatedly for a reason that I've missed, vutting out the most graphic scenes. Then I'm interuppted with knocking on my door.

Klayton walks in and takes a seat beside me. "How are you doing lil sis?"

What a funny question to ask the person he's so intended on ruining the life of. "Isn't it obvious? I'm not all rainbows and sunshine like mom so don't expect that from me. I told you not to tell anyone."

"Technically you told me not to tell Kara," he rebuttles. "You didn't tell me I couldn't tell anyone else."

I shake my head in disbelief cause he knows damn well what I meant. "You have no idea how many times you make me question my sanity sometimes."

He smiles. "I stil love you though."

"Well you have a real sick way of showing it."

"That's what brothers do. Besides, this is the best way to fit in."

"By allowing your sister to be a outsider? Way to go brother. Now get out of my room, I'm tired of looking at you."

He shrugs a careless shoulder. "I tried." He leaves me room, leaving the door wide open knowing that I hate that and I get up and slam it closed.

I sit back down on my bed continuing on with the movie and keep my mind distracted. By the time it's over, the sun has set and I hear a few people making their way in through the front door downstairs. This is going to be a long night, I can already tell.

Liquid Courage

"Malorie!" Klayton calls.

"Shut up!" I yell back as I search for something else to watch.

"Get down here!"

I groan, what could he possibly want from me? I regetablly get up and make my way downstairs and into the kitchen where I hear them all. There are two gilrs here who I recognize as Bethnay and Juliana from school. Ugh, I was trying to get rid of these people! Now I have to see them at home to?

Bethnay is wearing a blue jean mini skirt, revealing too much skin to be comfortable and a yellow sleevless top. Her light brown hair is curled down to the tops of her shoulders, and her brown eyes are lighter than usual from the excessive amount of mascara. Her freckles seem darker as if she colored them in, which I wouldn't doubt, and she wears red lipstick as the finishing touch.

Juliana is wearing a very short orange dress that flares out on her light brown thighs and reveals an unncesarry amount of cleavage. Her black hair is up in singled boxed braids and wears them down inches below the middle of her small back. Her lips are plump and strickingly pink and she has the eyes the color of maple syrup. They're both bery beautiful girls, but they exploit their bodies in ways I never could. Brandon is up on the wall while Juliana leans her body against him, and Klayton is standing in between Bethnay's wide open thighs as she sits on the counter. Does she have no manners at all when it comes to someone elses house?

"I don't know why you thought you could hide the note mom left for us," he explains. "Now order the pizza Mal, we're starving."

I fold my arms across my chest. "Order your own pizza. I'm sure you have enough money in your lttle piggy bank."

"Alright then," Brandon jumps in. "Why don't you come over here and reach into my pocket and grab my wallet?" He gives me an seductive smirk.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm the wrong person you should be asking that question whith a girl latched up on your arm."

"Why? Cause you'd steal me too?" He laughs and Klayton joins in with him.

Tempted to bash his head into the wal, I ignore him and look into the fridge. I'm unsurprised to see a bottle of Paul Massuen and a box of beer and I think to myself for a moment. I don't usually drink, but anything would help to keep my mind off Graves and inhance my mood. I square my shoulders and broaden my confidence and take the shot bottle. It has forty percent of alcohol in it and I should wait to eat pizza before I drink it, but I'm too impatient. This is going to hit my system like an earthquake and I gotta say, I'm a bit excited about it. Not caring that they could be looking, I take a good swig and try not to think about the taste as the burning sensation slithers down my throat because I'm seconds away from barfing it all up. The liquid fire is so strong it cause my face to grimace and chills grow throught my body. I cough in distaste and hold myself together because if I don't, there's no telling what's going to happen. I immediately feel the alcohol crshing down into my stomach, and I know it's not going to be long before it has consumed a part of me. I've dranken a quater size of the bottle, yet it's not that big but it's going to hit me all the same.

"Damn Malorie!" Brandon shouts. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

"I would have never thought Malorie had the guts to do that," Bethnay says, impressed.

I continue to grab a bottle of beer from the fridge and remembering that I need to get in the shower, I head upstaris to the bathroom, drink up a good amount of beer and hop in. The water is hot, but I don't mind it. My body slowly begins to feel lighter and my limbs a little looser. The last time I had got drunk, I was with Kara and we had locked ourselves in her bedroom drinking a whole bunch of alcohol. I had immediately regretted it the next moring and vowed to myself to never do it again. So much for that.

When I'm all scrubbed up and freshly clean, I got to my room and change into black sweat pants and a white tank top. I need to at least be comfortable if I'm going to get drunk tonight. I just hope I have enough common sense to stay in my room and not come out until tomorrow. I grab my Moto-E cell phone and provide myself wit some music. I'm pretty diverse so my music varies from pop, hip-hop, rock, country, etc. Right now I settle for some light rock and relax on my bed. I finish off the can of beer I grabbed and I notice that the more I drink the more the room starts spinning. Maybe taking that big shot of Paul Massuen wasn't the best of ideas. Unfortunatley, it's too late for me to take it all back and I feel the shift of my mood changing. I don't want to be along anymore. I shold order some pizza. I order one supreme and the other peperoni and wait for it to arrive.

I get up from my bed and go back downstairs to grab myself another can of beer. I like the way it's making me feel, even though the taste isn't great, but it's tolerable. Klayton, Bethnay, Brandon and Juliana are now sitting at the table having a deep conversation, unaware of my arrival. Minutes pass and the pizza is here (I'm pretty sure that's record timing) and I pay for it using the twenty Tallah had given me and giving the change to the pizza guy. I bring the food into the kitchen and set it on the table.

"It's about freaking time," Kalyton says and is the first on to grab two of the biggest pizzas each.

I take one of each before they dominate it all, using a napkin to hold and walk into the living room, taking my place onto the couch, collapsing on weak legs in the process. I grab the remote from the wooden marbled table and put my feet on top, getting comfortable. I pick on a random movie to watch and fidn it difficult to hold my head up, so I allow it to sag back as I eat my pizza, staring up at the spinning ceiling. I hum a melody to myself completely off and not caring either.

"Malorie, what are you doing?" Klayton says from behind me, not souding too proud, as if he ever is of me.

I ignore him and drink up my second beer, but now I've lost my apetite to finishing my pizza. My stomach can't take anymore food even though I've had about three bites. I'm feeling a little bit out of it but at the same time, it feels good. I don't need Klayton ruining my mood so I get up on wobbly legs and pass Kalyton back into the kitchen and into the fridge for another beer. I have no sense of equilibruim.

Klayton has followed me. "What are you doing?" He asks again more sternly.

"I'm ge-getting...drunk," I speak with a giggle. It's hard trying to form a coherent sentence, but it's pretty hilarious while trying to do so.

"I don't want you getting drunk," he says seriously.

"I don't care what you want," I say in a sing-song voice and realize that it's easier for me this way. I wonder if I can go the rest of the night singing. It'll be like my own personal musical.

I brush past him, swaying my way back to the living room and see that Brandon has taken my place. Shouldn't he be with Juliana? I plop down beside him, my mood too bright to care and he puts an arm around my shoulders, holding me close to his side. I can smell the alcohol coming off of him, but I could care less I'm sure I smell the same.

"You're getting drunk tonight?" He asks, his face only inches away from mine, and the nearness of his body is making me feel the complete oppsite of what I felt for him earlier today. His body heat feels so good against mine and I want so much to mold it together into one.

I move even closer and if I were to move any further, our lips would meet. I always thought he had some pretty juicy lips. "What are yor plans for tonight Brandon?" I say no louder than a whisper

"I've got a lot of plans tonight honey, would you like to be one of them?" His other arm wraps around my torso and he pulls me towards him,chest against chest, and my breathing becomes more harsh, my heart in hyper speed. The area between my legs begin to tingle as my left hand moves to his chisled cheek, caressing his skin.

I can't even remember the last time I've wanted him this badly. Now I want him all over me in ways I can't even explain. "Get rid of Juliana."

"Done," he says without a problem.

A new presence arrives in the room and speaks. "What the hell?"

I look in the direction of the kitchen and see Klayton standing there in the hall seperating the two rooms. His brown eyes are wide in shock, but I am unfazed. "Will you go...g-get me anouther beeeeeer?" I release a small burp. "I'm thirsty." I know I shouldn't have anymore to drink, but it's doing a pretty good job keeping my mind distracted.

"Are you insane?" He questions. "I really think you should slow your road Mal, cause if you don't I know that you'll regret it if you don't already."

"Oh shut up," I respond sloppily, getting agitated. Leave it to him to veer my mind back towards Graves talknig about regret. All I want to do is forget about him, but his orange eyes are tattooed into my head, his tough permanently lingering on my skin. The thought of him alone makes it feel as if someone is tickling my stomach with a knife, my butterflies are that strong. Or is that even normal? I can't take it knowing that I don't have him anymore.

"Come on, let her have some drinks have fun," Bethnay says, coming up behind Klayton. "I can't say I blame her for everything. Graves is friggin' hot. I mean seriously. What guy has orange eyes like that? That's pure perfection.'

Is she being serious?

"Then why don't you go and sleep with him then," Klayton says angrily.

She just smirks and says nothing more.

"Malorie," Klayton continues. "Look at what you're doing to yourself. You're acting crazy."

He's realling killing my vibe. "Let me be c-crazy then!"

"No dammit! I'm your older brother and I'm supposed to look after you!"

I laugh histerically. "Since when d-did you decide...that you cared? You sir...have made it! You're mission to de-destroy me, why stop now?" I climb off of Brandon and Juliana suddenly emerges from the bathroom down the hall.

"What did I miss?" She asks, completely clueless to the situation.

On wobbly legs, I struggle my way past them and on my hands and knees, climb up the stairs. In my state there's no doubt I would tumble to my doom trying to walk up. I crawl into my room and use my butt to close the door, and then grab my phone from the dresser. Without a second thought, I dial Graves' number and he answers on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Graves," I breathe out seductively with a smile. "It's s-s-o good to hear your voice. What are you...d-d-oing?" I hiccup. This is getting a little out of hand, but I can't bring myself to stop. "Have you ever the feeling when...youc-can't get someone out of your head?"

There's a short silence. "A...Are you drunk?"

I gigiel and roll onto my back, one hand holding the phone and the other playing with the string of my sweat pants. "Awe, come on. Y-You know that I don't-" Another hiccup. "Drink. How could you think that?" The alcohol is stil burning it's way through my system.

"I can't believe this right now," he says, aggravated. "Where is your mom Malorie?"

"She went out Graves. C-Come over, I wanna havesome fun with you."

I hear some shuffling going on in the background and I listen closely to figure out what's going on. "Graves?"

"I'm coming over."

Excitement fills me. "Yes! You can come join us."

The shuffling stops. "Us? Who is us?"

I slwoly count on my fingers. "Me, Klay-Klayton, Brandon, Bethnay...and Juliana."

"What the hell are they doing at your house?"

"Two words. Par-tay," I respond cheerfully.

He sighs.

"Bring more alcohol with you or you can't...come in." I hang up and drop my phone onto the floor.

It's about time. I've been needing Graves so much and having him coming over here is surely going to make me feel better, but the voice in the back of my head is screaming Kara's name at me and to get the hell over myself. I just can't help it. I love Graves and nothing is going to change that, no matter how much of the distance I try to put between us. I'm driving myself mad contemplating the right thing to do, eaving me lost and stuck in one place. I'm roaming around in a dar place I can't figure out. 

I wait anxiously for Graves to come, and then decide that I should look good for him before he gets here. I hop off my bed and go rummaging through my closet for something sexy to wear. I spot the perfect dress and put it on. It's black and tight, clinging onto my curves snuggly and reaches down the the middle of my thighs. It also pushes my breasts closer together to reveal more cleavage than what I would have never felt comfortable with before getting drunk off my tail. I don't bother puttig on shoes because I figure I don't need them if I'm going to be staying at the house...Unless Graves decides to take me out. I head to the bathroom and apply on some make up and come through my hair, leaving it down in long waves. Then I go down stairs to join the others.

They're all in the living room now all cuddled up on the couch watching some kind of scary movie. They turn to me as Icome down and their eyes nearly bug out of their head.

"Holy shit," Brandon says, astonished.

This is the exact reaction I wanted. I hop Graves does the same. I smile and do a slow turn, nearling falling on my face in the process. "How do I look?" I ask. I feel so gooey inside; my limbs are ike jello and it's getting harder and harder for me to keep myself up.

"Sexy," Brandon answers and licks his fine lips.

I put my hand on hip and smirk in satisfaction.

"You look like a slut someone picked up off the corner of Colfax," Klayton says angrily.

"Where's you get that dress?" Juliana asks, admiring me from head to toe.

I shurg because honestly, I can't remember.

Brandon releases his hold on Juliana and stands to his feet with his attention on her. "You've go to go."

For some wild unknown reason, Juliana doesn't seem at all bothered ny his rudeness. She simply gets up, gives him a little kiss on the cheek and walks out of the door. I'm absolutely too drunk to linger on the moment and realization of how disrespectful Brandon is, and my mind is unable to accept it, so as he waks towards me, I let him wrap his arm around my waist and start to bring towards the stairs.

"Don't be stupid Brandon," Klayton interrupts, his voice hanging on the tense side, and there's no mistaking how uncomfortable he is right now.

Brandon only smiles. "As long as she isn't saying no, right?"

Klayton's eyes narrow into thin slits. "Bro, she's my little sister and she's obviously drunk off her ass. Please don't make me be the one to kick yours, because I will if I have to."

Brandon peels his arm off of me and takes a step back, holding his hands up as in in surrender. "Alright boss, whatever you-"

Brandon is cut short after a knock on the door. I go to answer it, using the wall as support and Graves stands there, worry lines creasing his forehead. He also has on pajama clothes, black and white basketball shorts and a red t-shirt. Something so casual, yet because he is the one under those clothes, I don't think anyone else could have worn it better. He can make anything look good.

Graves' black hair is tousled in a tangled mess and his orange eyes seem to be recovering from sleep. Is it really that late? Or could he just be that tired? before he can get the chance to say anything, I throw myself at him and he's focred to hold me against him because I can barely carry myself.

"Whoa," he says. "How much alcohol did you drink?"

I think about it longer than intended. How much did I drink anyway? "I don't remember," I finaly say in a slur.

He shakes his head and hi hold on me tightens as he walks into the house. He glares at Klayton. "What a wonderful job you're doing taking care of your sister," he says sarcastically.

Kalyton only flips him off and brings Bethany closer to his side. We take our time heading up to my room, mostly because at this point my body is nothing but cooked noodles. The door closes behind us and now we stand in the center of my room by the front of my bed, a step away from each others faces, and I ook up at him, ogling. I'm never going to get tired of looking at him. Not only is he extremely attractive, but his heart is big and pure; a sure plus.

He sighs. "You're so drunk I can't even be mad at you right now."

I smile. "Good. Be mad at me to-tomorrow."

"Oh believe me, I will. You need to get some water in you."

"No..." I shake my head vigorously. "I don't. I'm competly fine."

He gives me an are-you-kidding-me look. "Seriously? You can't even say competely right. You need to drink some water and lie down."

"I don't wa-" I'm unable to finish my sentence because now, something is bubbling up in my stomach, slowly meeting it's way up to the surface. I try holding it back, but it's too late and soon, I'm throwing up all of the contents I had of food today onto Graves' shirt.

He yelps and jumps back as I bend over with my hands on my knees, puking my guts on my floor. My eyes begin to water and my stomach convulses painfully. This is the last thing that I wanted to happen and I can't even feel embarrassed by it. Graves cautiously moves towards me to help, but I hold my hand up to stop him. Literally, it's bad enough and I don't need him making it worse, but of course he doesn't cath the hint and moves to my side to hold my hair back.

When I finally finsih, sweat has covered my whole body and I'm clammy to the touch. I'm slightly trembling from the work it took to empty my stomach and I collapse onto my bed, catching my breath. I watch Graves take his shirt off and I stare at the daily workouts that has made it all worth while. His abs have fully defined his body and I swear I'd be drooling if he wasn't here in front of me. I'm never going to get tired of that either. I rub the spae beside me. "Come in bed with me."

He raises an eyebrow. "I really think I should be getting this throw up cleaned up."

I pout. What is it with everyone trying to kill my vibe? I just want to have fun here, is that so wrong? I don't remember the party ending, in fact, i=it was just getting started. I want to lay here with thiswonderful pack of six with no problem. "L-Lets do it...tama-tamarrow I don't wanna...I don't..." A sudden wave of tiredness overtakes me and every movement I make brings an excessive amount of energy I'm unable to keep.

Now sitting up is putting forth too much effort and I lie back, curling into a fetal position and before I conjure up another thought, I'm out like a light, exploring the darkness.

Change

My eyes flutter open into the next day and a big wave of pain collides with my head. I groan and put my hand to my sweaty forehead. I'm buring up and I have a headache like nobody's business. What the hell did I do last night? I slowly sit up and check my surroundings. When I spot Graves lying by my side-the main cause of my near heat stroke- not wearing a t-shirt, the shock of it doesn't hit me as soon as it should have. I gap.

Graves stretches himself out, his long body fully covering my bed from the top to the bottom, and his orange eyes meet mine. His eyebrows furrow together at the look on my face and he asks, "What's wrong?'

I finally bring my mouth to a close and swallow hard. "What happened last night?" I can't even place what I can remember.

He yawns, keeping his head relaxed on my pillow. "A lot I'm guessing, most I wasn't here for."

I prepare myself to ask the ultimate question. "D-Did we...?"

"No," he responds. "No we didn't."

I breathe a huge sigh of relief. As long as Graves and I have been sneaking around, we haven't actually had sex. I know, it's hard to believe, but we thought crossing that line while Kara is still in the picture would destroy any hope of repair, but I've lost all that when the truth broke out in an understandibly unforgiveable way yesterday in the cafeteria. "Okay," I say. "Just explain to me why your shirt is off and mayybe I'll feel a alittle better."

He sits up and frowns at me. "I'm sure you know that you were drunk off your ass last night. Do you really think I would take advantage of you like that?"

I bow my head down. "No." I don't even think Graves is capable of doing that to anyone. Not that he cant, but because he's just too good of a person.

"You threw up on me," he asnwers.

I gasp and bury my face into my hands, completely embarrassed. "Oh my god..."

"I cleaned it all up after you passed out.

I need a really deep dark hole to hide myself in and never come out. "I'm so sorry. You didn't have to do that for me."

"Nobody else was going to do it."

I focus on trying to remember the last thing that I did last night. Idiotically, I chugged down a good shot of Paul Massuen, I ate pizza and had more to drink...I talked to Brandon about his plans for the night, and that's all I remember. I gaze down at myself and see that I'm wearing the black dress Kara gave me for my birthday last year that I never had the guts to wear.

"Do you know all of what happened last night?" I ask Graves.

He shakes his head. "I don't, but it looks like you had a pretty good time. You'll have to ask your brother."

I sigh heavily and slide out of my bed and immediately feel like I could throw up again.

Impressum

Texte: D'razhane Woods
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.08.2016

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Widmung:
I would like to dedicate this book to all who choose to support me and my wonderful boyfriend Chad who makes me feel incredibly amazing and loved, pushing me back to get into writing, as well as my family who never gives up on me. I love you all!