Kat733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5tYvv8J2t
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOI8jQQ3Gx
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSt9mePalP
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR2spSQTTw
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QYEGfNKbX
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG0gc3f7oJ
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Zla2LLUe
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwjDSIV8w0
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GxNkaPuL6
"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." 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBzyZRGCBK
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcmmUTycOV
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRu1WFK2IJ
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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKNZYSRZJh
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHEBjriVU7
This is so not what I need tonight.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWui5GYTRT
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMKCXsv0QU
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujQbXSpq2y
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUNOtX09Qn
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FK9Xe2VkC
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfKrviFOzD
I just stare at her, completely confused.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2aaNORu3N
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNFtWfZcY5
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaYZT4xA98
"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." 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKiK2l1KcX
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZgUmYnRQt
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUxZxkPmhc
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFF04VCNDD
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5RC48ZfJp
"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!" 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRM5eYeGJm
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgKdGz4UQ8
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjSSLraAFr
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbiStQhBmi
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQplwsGvSN
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsbpD5YgKG
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8A5oPCPMO
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVmejTgxNj
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFZrQpPe69
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNYZI4g08a
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4mHkoogl8
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPnkPPlUuT
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1lVlmsCGb
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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHyjIyipRG
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA8lApi6yV
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0hlmhbjW1
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."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9tC7Obdd2
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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHY2Me6gVX
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewZRXpD0qd
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDeOkFUzSb
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMrgOiBAiT
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8UAfBuRJA
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgVZaikiWp
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpjuo4Z2Pu
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoiBDCNLW6
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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuvZjNlh3o
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRkgjEhaIw
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy16eBQIh2
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cN2nJrKhy
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpJdeSFfX6
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8hUeeUwky
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZuv6oCOyL
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhtDPmKI98
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjcNBD77h6
Because I'm a stupid girl.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjzXWH4Z6v
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7ysOuTnKE
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMcwbN2yp0
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ttBKgLJNU
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8MrS9kpXw
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHgVb35tdd
Nope, not going down that mental path...733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoSSyjZUNS
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMRp1l02GN
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8QgGMCsCs
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkganaHrqM
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbiQIB5BCQ
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhokdy0moSP
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgKOgKaiNo
"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. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGDxAfbebT
"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?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxpD9nuTEI
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcBYxeHl9N
But where can I go?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN1GAEQabg
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jb1oQopBS
"Hello?" No answer. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxSErX76Gz
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjfXlhmkoT
Thank God. Alone at last.
ns3.18.109.77da2
