Kat753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31rKYrRg11
753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kw87WajPf
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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJQd1EGq60
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SDVJ8CHmN
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAmlZGYLmh
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc0ylDubBf
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfyxFiGZfJ
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuAW4CDWIM
"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." 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv9GBAXN5I
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeACcWzMIJF
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwPa0pFeef
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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93vUGP2CR6
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLQV8WvsKC
This is so not what I need tonight.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPly1VeR5U
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGssFaWlG6
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfXRPlabtZ
"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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRTvoBbPDd
"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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSulwkSgQLO
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9vXymEWS3
I just stare at her, completely confused.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaNHMumOu3
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknqI7CVcfB
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0cSIKRjyu
"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." 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIJnoXxCcL
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVI7Ts7gyf
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFNof43isX
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrgBuwb8h0
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXuLjtTDpw
"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!" 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuFu1FQ0jX
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLWlVNNHwv
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMao7Xbi370
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElhEFffCoJ
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvGv3du59C
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCIsfmzL1E
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe2Q5OmA5N
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiExrzzHJCn
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHJPgiRjF5
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGLtaemSJk
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJeWP09ZI7
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGq1zNQQW4
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBEMn1wIQv
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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hepbD0Nao
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf19TirOmx
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdAEJl2Nqr
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."753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeIjsG4hWK
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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmV8Gi0LxL
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNySbESdVqf
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhIMor2wCy
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiC4nBu1TM
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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEILzSK9dQ
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu46QOfvRyn
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGaTnA4IB3
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mwd7JNbEz
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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQfE51R1P3
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx68uTQi36A
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WPebutV0A
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWbcVeIL7P
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ycwCjlQYD
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1QEZdjgQY
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9b5mTF4B
"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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02BDeZL74E
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqtmnAJRPi
Because I'm a stupid girl.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ANYxACBkv
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrcVIPEnGU
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nqRcPUyjN
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuqMo6cZ0q
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxSltJc9o5
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjvc3ecUpN
Nope, not going down that mental path...753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0moOD6dTCz
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dmXIPgFVP
"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.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS7F1UE6hV
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmVRyAMSrY
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaguivoW61L
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtubdQZWW5o
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6gaRgm7Wi
"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. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7CTEuzm6z
"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?753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bXiG8zYy0
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwQbeRA65u
But where can I go?753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTgBHhDPRv
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jpOGkIVJL
"Hello?" No answer. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KQAjzsGfi
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 753Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0hcbZwr65
Thank God. Alone at last.
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