Kat762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc5q2Pluxg
762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7DTJJpY1d
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk71dOLwjz
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9DUjMukrM
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm2HrBalVG
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPF5LUW1Be
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTRnnvufNs
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5olNZWZRO
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZg29hgB4y
"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." 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvNHyRihw1
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE9BkYnh4R
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PuGBeLE3x
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYSRXBm7bW
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyq9xnRmyc
This is so not what I need tonight.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r51zlImq1
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rh836ceJh
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6gKt7qKlu
"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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡparN3XM7cw
"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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehuFsAogU0
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfwIXnQwPW
I just stare at her, completely confused.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy1ex08OWV
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOUoNqWkOK
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4l9hxBFUM
"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." 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytTrxo2Ghb
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMYecphzJl
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3vSSzkA1w
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgnMGzqKcT
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa2kPtyMTg
"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!" 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Sy4uozgB
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOwL2bA3My
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUUDyXjQMG
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwc4cDPuMO
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqULXst9WZ4
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzcleKXD5O
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkkOKmySIs
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurgksTpm5q
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtoFf172Mr
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZComnJNO2
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI64jngj29
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91WHXpXmpn
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KNbrOnYYu
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUZrnXwuQb
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XQbsIQt0L
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevEax0jgkb
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."762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8punotVY0Y
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oiuNDv1Vs
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV1t6MLFtZ
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvI3pO1VT6
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwdsNQ7E51
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo9rkKbsQI
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnlPcgZDk4
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQwpDkIBJm
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqO42omCpA
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTr3MFi0mP
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoV7uw472e
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBPk3NBRTR
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLvEon8hr1
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUdHODSnCg
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREW4KBvY1D
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ICbjtCMl
"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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnFCs4HVhW
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB6uxTFL8d
Because I'm a stupid girl.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPcdiEfrCc
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVWjgNQTSj
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6juDgVRmcG
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTFacpqsXa
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRs8e45JvF
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJhnOvwxj2
Nope, not going down that mental path...762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXKhAuh90I
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4prmeuW2tW
"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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqYQ2fVRoj
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8k6JsrgAl
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDhQ1qYYbT
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMXDr4XSlF
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AyxELiOlo
"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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuJXmYC236
"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?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG8bNDVSXF
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLATJNK6J
But where can I go?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibd6fm8Uix
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fe2ZC6IKL
"Hello?" No answer. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrRMkldTgI
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRghKc9Aicl
Thank God. Alone at last.
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