Kat732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud4YfEzyjd
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4PYcwDuWr
February 14, 2005
*
2 weeks later
*
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvGZZ9AK5t
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUHsERCDm5
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRobjpPzP3A
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEXcrMWyQE
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y3PAfxplb
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOfVN4Sk1i
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8ooXpgJGA
"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." 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QIWDgdmgH
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY1ieBcOci
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8Nz3iHipD
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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZo3lGu2Qx
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUeG315zI8
This is so not what I need tonight.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhgCqRs0CP
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIBXc087du
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33PotpXiNB
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwRhmztkXc
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JJyudPNls
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYWGvkBPeu
I just stare at her, completely confused.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWrSu5QDJs
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTOtkeLjqE
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeeVfnbUva
"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." 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupxLkCgDr9
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VoNbOs4sJ
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PspyLV5Zl
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwcBcYqrxC
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B7bJSdUUH
"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!" 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrNDz4E1dv
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEGqghxcVT
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyUyFxMT5t
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWr5WzdAyT
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOtmfOgKbb
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV25OLP6rwF
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljGLHHy77a
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWF2S7tMCt
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKMUDLs3Ec
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LVkRJ3LMo
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUewUmDl5hY
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Gn8VBJ0v
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3EmNgsOmH
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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQz6ZNz3Fv
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8RlAf6UwJ
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cZdLigtXB
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."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHiy4nlvEN
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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW7CKJSqQW
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZlFExETdt
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyhPrBnpdK
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF5vOhx2Zk
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgQoQMBnYM
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PUGTBTYaH
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfwz1nKzi3
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5HtFP6YAD
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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShAN2zlEWM
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWyNUTn4Cq
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxmbsfxiE2
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEn3ROswCN
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLwZqr3M4q
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsen5QrQI1
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2qN19zVW2
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTucCLypENf
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeCjDSiXsG
Because I'm a stupid girl.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeXimDUcYn
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ltcDxut6
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMySAbKXo0F
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXdwFymrb9
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgdweyZbjs
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBArkCD70lU
Nope, not going down that mental path...732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk7PGliY8z
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3vCEE6aJL
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiXNRRIsOv
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAgaOCcxxs
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXZtjsdbzQ
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K1ER7cgmD
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtAj45adN4
"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. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgz8n48izt
"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?732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I7cwwmIii
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K86WXUE70
But where can I go?732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGclkEx76eA
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpvF6l93yb
"Hello?" No answer. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJTDJEUQ5g
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuD93MGpJv
Thank God. Alone at last.
ns18.117.229.168da2
