Kat752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuGec91f39
752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0NTxpEwJu
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9j5FtbXkq
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNd5qApLtn
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW6l3Q8Zp6
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHniT74Fn1
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGBehj2zU8
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7KDZJZBgV
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut8ojO4K2b
"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." 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjw1oMQhBZ
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b91XhddXj
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80YDV9ycFw
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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeM5rJhtL3
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eJOYwGPrO
This is so not what I need tonight.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnokcUEHFal
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Go6D3Kpau
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7e8CeWOOx
"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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0XEV7IICy
"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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsxi3l8yip
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60IxJj8O2l
I just stare at her, completely confused.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3dyBvYbaB
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZYvVLsFF
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HfySFPY2V
"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." 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdXPvF9A2W
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhLCDNvWXp
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJFIbSsVe5
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97H8Ga5Wkj
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrtkAI7wFT
"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!" 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocrr1Ddv9z
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK9pgDimzy
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpbj3WxoNg
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XRtBMS1eh
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEvPSvhIqv
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jxXN05BPs
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUhYzhNl7d
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR7gD1qcyR
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZilFdPB2Nu
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXAojKxw0R
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW8xJ4u7PR
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElxL4Yd7Mz
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtojRXLzrPv
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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4hhFKGwXL
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYKdwdlLhB
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNxK5Bpe5Q
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."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkNuZlYXvY
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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp9SKjpi13
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEz4ny1upp
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqLvjQTpFQ
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8Qm6BsBH
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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlYR8BXK9K
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbq14H5YTm
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRxbHxnc4k
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR16IjcyBp
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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Hga3ZII9
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yruQf36As
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF91nQWU0I
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWYEmkbQZ8
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOhmaW0WXY
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyfbCiuTOM
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby0z4cXzHK
"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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIfAbZ4Vgd
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUaAGoJYqa
Because I'm a stupid girl.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJi9CuwGUD
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc2LJmZ6VX
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN8SyMaF8t
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2V8Zp8c2j
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkKUhsv5Fa
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJKvyNOxgn
Nope, not going down that mental path...752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59yUgUmYzB
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHvbe6tlw5
"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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV1d2hUinw
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uETeRnbMD
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgVv9mLqcX
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJW5IxtVR
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA4k09n47r
"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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSthLUkGqZ
"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?752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyFcx5UGPK
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvavQD7Q9pG
But where can I go?752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCZXBNfq0W
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIymPJQerG
"Hello?" No answer. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpHwHzStb7
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNcagRSAKl
Thank God. Alone at last.
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