Kat667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD8DkVosM2
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7REIzKFg5
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWnNdUg0xY
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BvlD9RCKw
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsyCAtszu4
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDXxiYe4bZ
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ruuerHtj
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt2TFLxhFE
"Oh please, like you will have time for anyone other than your Valentine." She tries to object, but I hold up my hand to stop her. "We both know I will be sitting in the corner by myself, probably watching him with some skank... silently praying for a quick merciful death." 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu5Ac1yPWb
"God, you are so morbid. Come on! It's Valentine's Day!" She turns to the mirror to finish her makeup. "Plus Luke and Soph will be there and Kai is really excited to see you." Kai had grown on me, despite our rocky start. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjsG6A8WrW
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpVEthoXFd
I had somehow managed to avoid him, at least directly, for over a month. It was quite an accomplishment since I enjoyed being around his friends so much. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD61RjtimZ
Must have been by the grace of God. Oh no... now I sound like Mom. Dad would be so proud, the thought leaving a bitter aftertaste in my brain.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlAtY2IHFA
This is so not what I need tonight.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd61TluICi
"Well, I actually know someone who might take your mind off of him. He's been wanting to meet you for weeks." She isn't meeting my eyes and she's biting her fingernails. Crap, she must be really nervous. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7gCOmMxpi
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI6X3b4d5o
"Well... this guy... Jonathan... He's seen you around... and well... he kinda wanted me to introduce you... tonight." She paces the room like a caged animal, as she continues to chew the skin on her fingers since there's nothing left of her nails at this point.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOVOFWak2t
"Ness, calm down. Please stop, at least for the sake of your poor hands." I try to process what she just dropped on me, as I grab her hand, forcing her to stop pacing. "Okay, so, why does this Jonathan guy want to meet me so badly?" I take a seat on her bed.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q1S8lNmml
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP1K7bbcnV
I just stare at her, completely confused.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0Po6OCyoK
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnKr4CTsbz
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30SFy3ajkw
"Oh god, Katie-bug, you are such a prude. I swear! Maybe Johnny can help with that." She giggles and bounces on her bed. "Ooooh, maybe he's into some kinky shit! You know, it's always the pretty boys." 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78mj7oJ7la
My mouth pops open as I feel the blush take over my face. I know I'm only feeding fuel to her fire, but I can't even try to hide my shock. I am pathetic.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeO6rfBsh6
Vanessa doubles over in laughter, nearly falling off the bed. "Oh. My. God!" She's barely able to get each word out between her giggles. "Look. At. Your. Face!" She points at me, continuing to mock me.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJhnxlpuRt
I push her arm that's extended, throwing her off balance. She falls, landing face first on the carpet. It's my turn laugh, my eyes water and I can barely breathe, but it's totally worth it.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dPthjtBNo
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCslpS71fj
"Okay, okay." She tries to calm us down. "Alright, if it wasn't me, that would have been pretty good, but seriously that fucking hurt!" 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYewsZnpzRu
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARdxRMKVPe
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGGSwOVJFU
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYVXavhU9m
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVhdv3eGf7
"Shit, Kat. I'm sorry. That was really insensitive. Please forget I said that." She moves closer to me, probably to comfort me but all I feel the need to get out of the room. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf2FLvGqSn
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6guepALUM3
Okay, so it's not super private, but when you live in a dorm with a roommate, it's about as good as it gets.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkss3eLcITJ
I sit there long enough to calm down, but I'm still not ready to go back to the room. Unfortunately, I know if I wait much longer, Vanessa will come find me.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXGBPfMesk
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQnxmL5E90
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfS5buJ5PP
"You coming? We are all riding together." Her voice is soft and sweet, just like her. Instantly, I feel relaxed and ready to spend time with my new friends. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb6OETqwcY
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5HD9jMHjy
I make my way to wash my hands because it's a public bathroom and it's disgusting not to after touching anything in here. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3v2cBBFDV
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoNWT1DQaW
"Of course. Let's go." I don't need her to be worried about me. I will be fine. I'm just being a stupid girl. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bLc7q8RX3
I throw the paper towel into the garbage can as I turn to leave, but Sophie stops me by placing her hand on my arm. "Hey, listen, I know it's tough, but I'm really glad you are coming."667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWPCWGwtke
I love her to death, but I am so sick of everyone treating me this way. I just want to be normal, but everyone seems to be worried I'm about to break. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwzflkUVaz
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa2qMJ5PZQ
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9tBGFOaFd
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEgFotGAGE
Traffic was slow, but we finally made it to the stupid Valentine's Day party at Nate's. The house is overflowing with people holding plastic red cups and couples making out everywhere. I can already tell I'm going to hate this.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sswn06Fer
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Z3DZyqDe
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoJKo4FfoA
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1ThchqR4P
As Luke walks in, he only has eyes for Sophie. He leans down to kiss her in greeting and I suddenly feel awkward sitting there. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpFlnzxcHv
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QUSIHrSyP
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18A17izW0D
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtoN20qynl
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugD7IXc7PK
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqldnBXeGBf
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk3E7Y5NlW
"Hey Kai!" I lean in to hug him as we continue to make small talk. As happy as I am to see the blockhead, I find myself longing to spend my time with someone else.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp2BZcay6O
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgqPrwFyhb
Because I'm a stupid girl.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqZGphaYpU
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE21PuPm9Ht
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboTpLK5AwJ
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkVLbSMCj6
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvnoUFQfHm
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XfTCVFX8O
Nope, not going down that mental path...667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSbDqu6wGL
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXESijXbhjn
"Oh! The girlfriend. It's so nice to finally meet you." I reach out to shake her hand, but she just grimaces at me like I might give her a disease.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SIgx8WSUI
"And who are you, exactly?" I'm not sure how to answer her... But the disdain in her eyes says she doesn't really care anyway. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorlgmXKqrs
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiW4Y2RH47
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNJt7NYecs
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW77OqrCmR
"Yeah, well I am his girlfriend, after all." I can't say I disagree with her, but it's still shocking she said it out loud. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SXNPZqwGV
"Of course." I mumble, as I walk away from her hateful gaze. I understand why not even Luke or Sophie can stand her. What on earth does Kai see in her?667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ5XFYlEve
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qfCIxNrfK
But where can I go?667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFrLCopoGd
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiZKDSJ0xV
"Hello?" No answer. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi3uPubrDm
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5H56vH68S
Thank God. Alone at last.
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