Kat794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTyOBuXxvX
794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgU5tOstL5
February 14, 2005
*
2 weeks later
*
794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfbcrQAUHb
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiYbu8PT0z
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj382iedaA
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt3gVPoc9i
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI87iC9us5l
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO3zFRQJwp
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gdhWzNYxG
"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." 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4K7Z7lOVK
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMO6u7aENL
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPG9bFjCkG
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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpAf1FPBT
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwdMyPNjBp
This is so not what I need tonight.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHasxe8ubK
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj7P2z0CTG
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUlSSbGDaG
"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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnLzO6l4eK
"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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGk8Cvtq5Q
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL2fn85EBO
I just stare at her, completely confused.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hUMmVcmw7
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G1Lf5tBfI
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWCxT18qKE
"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." 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFg3vNyMhX
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGboVkXHOn
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw19CBJw16i
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DxTn4dRqt
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86mWSKgu4Q
"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!" 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd1kFiyq2r
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiLil9UJ7x
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKpnwTs7Y5
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFRmFXXtIK
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU78s2ZEE3
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPfymjHmkK
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFCbpXSalP
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivUuLJNZ0c
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepMCgxCoak
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOClTXPAKF
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw7Rhy9zkO
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K0ToAMqza
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVNTdauNbk
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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfFvtV2usa
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTNkXrEvl2
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC98gCY5fl
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."794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mATmK57IM
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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57bxurMLon
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLMJGwS0Iq
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6WE7SW1Ax
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9o77dXl36
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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6TnTIWjK4
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf0L9urOE8
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinvi5lezOp
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WJU6TTTBg
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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUbYI6sZcm
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlzdqthMvc
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWAVfS8g45
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQcUpcRNcE
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdyNhkK1Bh
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9Q5ytfhO1
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiV1csgOpG
"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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEtsi2keYK
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iTmz7hILS
Because I'm a stupid girl.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwLKU1R3WD
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrIj6FJniO
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MoJjDf3Af
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW6YZqbLH5
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUndG1wuClf
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYl8X310Co
Nope, not going down that mental path...794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0a2NlOBCA
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1URCAslm4
"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.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpUwu87ISl
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYJV7o5EDl
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmrn4bYlP3
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzDZoDmRCE
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmpIFhMuXU
"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. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILknRnTxwO
"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?794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdgelCf4M5
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9ou7FAi4i
But where can I go?794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAcEBLv5AH
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDRwTcc2mh
"Hello?" No answer. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYM8STGBpC
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 794Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsARMMzRw2
Thank God. Alone at last.
ns216.73.216.176da2
