Page 17
T he next day unfolded exactly as I expected but had several unexpected differences.
My eyes were so watery as I woke up that it felt like tears were flowing from them along with my pounding headache. I used my fingers to clear my eyes and blinked repeatedly to remove the accumulated tears from my sleep.
According to my memory from last night Kylie transported me home before I lost consciousness. I discovered Kylie sleeping next to me when I opened my eyes this morning. These sleepovers seem to happen naturally between us.
I carefully rise to a sitting position while pressing my eyes shut because the sunlight coming through my window is overpowering.
I forgot to close the blinds before going to bed last night. Kylie groaned.
Exhausted I say to Kylie, "Don't worry about it," as I fall back onto my bed.
"There's Advil on the nightstand." she yawns.
I mumbled thanks as I rolled over to find a glass of water and two pills on my nightstand. I stood up and took the Advil before Kylie stood up too.
The room felt cold and wearing my pyjamas caused a shiver to race along my spine. I shook it off and stood up.
"We have thirty minutes," Kylie announces.
"Thirty minutes until what?" I ask.
"Diner." Kylie said nothing more before disappearing into my bathroom.
Oh shit.
I forgot about that. We gather at the diner following the end of our night out activities. We gather at the diner to debrief our night's activities and help each other recover from hangovers.
It's ironic that people think we visit the diner for breakfast because we don't get out of bed until eleven, which means breakfast service ended before we arrived.
Our need for one of their burgers makes the diner a suitable spot despite their breakfast hours ending before we arrive. The diner serves burgers which when consumed during a hangover taste extraordinary like the ultimate meal for recovery. Fuck. Now I want a burger.
I needed to dress within fifteen minutes to eat one. I put on loose shorts and a T-shirt before
Kylie came out of the bathroom.
While I brushed my teeth and made the best attempt to style my hair, I could manage without my favorite hair tie which wasn't on my wrist.
It's on his.
Looking in the mirror I felt myself becoming nauseous. I remember nothing from last night except the memory I struggle to erase up until this moment.
I recall every painful detail about that moment. I splashed water onto my face to break free from my thoughts. I prayed for relief because I needed to endure another hour or so with him.
Upon reaching the hallway I noticed Elijah leaving his room. Upon seeing all of us as we descended to the lower level it was obvious that we had rough appearances.
It was a humid day outside. When I checked the weather on my phone, I found out that rain was predicted for tomorrow morning. From across the street the door slammed shut which sent a pinch through my chest.
I knew exactly who it was because I was waiting for his arrival–
Elijah informs us that Jaxon will be joining us for the ride.
Fuck.
I quickly get into the passenger's seat and lean my head against the window. During the entire journey my mind never left its own thoughts.
I mean, I couldn't get it. It wasn't fair. Did we experience these two events back-to-back? In just a few moments he managed to erase all thoughts from his mind.
At prom I realized his inability to remember stemmed from his drunken state. God caused me to experience deep shame about myself during last night's events.
And guess what? For the second time he will soon forget about everything.
He left and surely, he headed toward a cooler full of beers. He drinks it off while I sit here remembering every detail I wish to forget.
The car came to a stop which brought my mind back to reality. I stumbled into the diner as everyone else moved ahead and joined my friends at our regular booth.
Sliding into the booth I took a seat at the edge which put me across from Jaxon. He remains in my view despite my desire for him to disappear.
Dina, who owned the restaurant, took our orders as she served us. After she finished documenting everything she departed, and the debriefing session began.
I wasn't paying attention. Without realizing I was doing it I drank my water while pushing my thoughts aside again.
Jaxon once again plagued my mind.
The events of last night left me completely shocked. The things I said to myself at that time baffled me.
Seriously, what was I talking about? The way I expressed my desire for a deeper kiss should have led me to push it away. I wish I had never expressed my desire for more time with him. Upon reflection I understand that what I previously believed was incorrect.
But you were drunk, Em.
But it still happened.
But you were drunk.
Yet, it still happened.
You were both drunk. He likely doesn't recall what happened, so you just need to let it go to move forward.
I guess, but I just–
"Emerson!" My name echoes across the table where everyone calls out to me.
Everyone stare at me while my arms tighten and my teeth grip the straw.
"What?" I ask because I find that I'm in the middle of an unnoticed conversation.
"It's your turn," Hazel laughs. "What do you remember about last night?" she asks.
I started to feel my heart race as everyone at the table stared at me. I didn't forget everything because I was fixated on that stupid kiss during that exact moment.
I wasn’t kissing someone for just a slight peck. It was a whole make-out session.
Shit. What is wrong with me?
"Damn, sis. Elijah says jokingly that I had to be just as drunk as Kylie mentioned. Elijah jokes.
The whole room laughed and to make matters worse I had to force myself to laugh too.
"No, I remember," I say. "Just...not that much," I admit.
"So, what do you remember?" Felix asks with great interest. With a smile I realize I can now access more memories than before. "Well, I remember getting there. Travis took a leap off the roof into the pool while you...made out with
Marnie over there, right?" I point at Hazel.
I saw most of their eyes widen.
"Wait, you what?!" JAMIE asked.
Did you really kiss Hazel there? Camden asked, his shock matching JAMIE's expression. Camden added, just as surprised as JAMIE.
You haven't talked about this yet? My lips curved into a smirk as I asked the next question.
"No, but we'll get to it. I need you to look at her instead of me right now. Felix deflects all the questions he's asking.
"That's all I got." I shrug. Additionally I had a conversation with Neha regarding the house where we will stay during our trip. It's secured, by the way."
"Oh, fuck our trip!" Kylie stressed.
Elijah admits that he forgot about the trip.
"When do we leave again?" Hazel asked.
"Tomorrow. After their game." I say. Neha and Sabrina will be traveling there tonight to search for activities for us.
A group conversation started since everyone had forgotten their packing. The senior class selects their own destinations for their annual trip. Our class is based on Key West, Florida.
I was psyched. The beach holds my attention throughout the Savannah months as my preferred destination. While everyone secured a house or something nearby each person selected their own accommodation independently.
Through her father's network Neha managed to locate a beach-accessible house with space for our entire group.
The main bedroom was available to her and Sabrina on the condition that they agreed to it. Everyone agreed to follow this rule because it was straightforward.
"So, Em, you don't remember the closet?" Kylie mentioned.
My heart dropped. It plunged down into my stomach like a stone into a well.
"W-What closet?" I stutter.
You expected me to do something for those ten dollars you paid me? she complained.
"Ten dollars?" I asked about the payment with an expression of complete bewilderment. "And what closet?"
An intense heat surged through my entire body. I felt uncertain about my ability to sound credible when I attempted to fabricate my knowledge. The effectiveness of my story was evident from the expressions on their faces.
For fourteen minutes you and Jaxon were enclosed in a closet. You don't remember that?" Hazel asked.
"No." I move my head from side to side before looking toward Jaxon. I believed he looked equally confused while I pretended to be lost.
Kylie made a groaning noise while Jaxon remained silent. "Dammit. I want to know what happened."
My nervousness prevents me from answering so I stare at my drink while taking another long sip. "Wish I could remember..." I joke.
Sure, you do...
Shut up.
My focus on my drink helped me to stop feeling like everyone was watching me. It was clear to me that everyone was watching when they began to discuss Hazel and Felix's intimate moment.
However, all that stress made me sweat. The moisture inside our booth made the humidity rise and caused my hair to cling to my neck.
I pulled my hair back behind my head and moved it over my shoulder. By gathering my hair behind my head, I noticed my hair tie fastened to Jaxon's wrist which appeared red like usual.
The urge to tie up my hair runs strong right now. "Hazel? Can I borrow one of your hair ties, Hazel? I ask with a sigh.
She nods and reaches for her wrist to remove a hair tie. "You don't have your red one?" she asks, handing it to me.
"Must've left it somewhere." I tell a lie when I take the hair tie from her.
While this is happening, I notice Jaxon kicking my foot beneath the table. I instinctively focus on him which triggers an overwhelming sensation of impending death.
He smirks at me stupidly while I fasten my hair into a ponytail. The moment I caught his gaze my thoughts instantly returned to that time his tongue invaded my throat.
And that feeling exploded in my stomach.
Fuck Em. Just stop thinking about it.
The fact that I hadn't started sweating before means I would sweat right now. My face felt like it had a fever, yet I denied that I was blushing.
The thought of him never made me turn red.
I narrowed my eyes when the waiter returned carrying our meal. The desire to eat had fully disappeared inside me but I needed to pretend otherwise. Easier said than done, Em. Easier said than done.