Kat807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0v4ignF5k
807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr3CYv0d8T
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4HFKlpCxX
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTO7S3k3Mo
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3lxxqFIuw
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksBwpzYxdf
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq1XbOFydn
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTXkRyun61
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNoKGGt2ae
"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." 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0jkGTfrJI
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuFI66owPC
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb0f24GD57
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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDSbi0k357
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGuNNfP3nr
This is so not what I need tonight.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7griYjNcf
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXjNvk1sTM
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEpOz0QjpZ
"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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdGKcPuymb
"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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozPKHeIr7N
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mLFxCePNV
I just stare at her, completely confused.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEiWXwq6Ff
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGOSkx11au
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mpznI8PGQ
"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." 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7oQyXQile
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sxgr04DeA
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH9wHspeAh
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEIhoDpS2X
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXBSTTYmLJ
"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!" 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWCN9LU7JB
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQNgw2cPqC
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFEiXN2MDp
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReFxSQhje2
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQSd3GtjwS
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUejAyU1Qm
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5pggJVRPH
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfXHTzIj75
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq532DFJfJr
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcdXDbwO9f
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE5q1W515o
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsiPs385DR
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Uo4DrQFb
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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVA95CzCrV
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhyu2Nrlft
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkdLeG9H4b
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."807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ0FG1z1g0
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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeobPT8xnjs
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cSIP7uHz9
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8db327p67
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡounvpQsoKe
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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8b63Wi8WU
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxVUYhRStB
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vAFzkIE8S
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMyEBEfLZu
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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH7JDJG0Hd
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F5oOvKrLc
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDighijDu7l
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8s0HokQm5
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H7yFpJ61h
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0wNSUsevn
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuVzHcMywU
"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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOi5vbl377
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaVZ0PoUtA
Because I'm a stupid girl.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBIjPXcaKT
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw39qBdoKe
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVllDTV2bVr
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxOuh6YyN7
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDtn1EMPJQ
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHe6pBUsMZ
Nope, not going down that mental path...807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpl7J7TLf7
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySivbzbmBh
"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.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6uM5HIyrs
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZwpLPlIBz
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3MNh4PuoD
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4wmYA7un9
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwMhDoBT7u
"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. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWTOcS9Gea
"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?807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW10su5xFEr
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90AhxO9SyR
But where can I go?807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIoSpcMGZ7
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2Cou91Qu
"Hello?" No answer. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhAlE0h6VI
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 807Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ynaiUBjb
Thank God. Alone at last.
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