Kat806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCkuYTCFh0
806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk4ZTWWwLZ
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fkyPrW1tt
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy6JikDmbp
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gZlm1wib3
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ3LO6phuw
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabpT2KICZu
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcHw8EsQaK
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliWIujuVjG
"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." 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CA8C3JVDD
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmRV25KjZ6
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuem41hNNi
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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgODPazEEZA
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnPrjvo19
This is so not what I need tonight.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0C8PPhFCx
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qWjAvKTUk
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hzFVWyjSV
"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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnMxIxaxgP
"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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUlCin7aLP
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8moYshCzy1
I just stare at her, completely confused.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Zke5Fpk2
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURuLnWqs8W
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IGglC4mIg
"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." 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FvM3OiV13
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyujdG51Nul
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoCiFpBOSf
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb0PZ1BAgY
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEssRiVvwX9
"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!" 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXhHp6Z6da
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvlOO737U3
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSNZK8oPqS
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql6g79Gv63
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfc8nndMpB
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9hOrsgB0B
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe5E7Iv86m
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYje1KGMhW
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETtFW583nB
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8D7PbjyyS
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiWObWv8jt
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT59ER47dKX
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZkp6gmfKx
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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmXrSyiQax
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN6kvAJAur
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmK3hENLbm
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."806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zDR1Rb6ro
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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMiYM5EUuO
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAWodX1KDT
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LzOviUTdD
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe4U9XC7BT
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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE98P1Yv1U
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1W13tUkEI
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoseBD0nB7b
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ2hg6YuZz
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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzLqahm7bf
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVitYSLI3Y
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCafn44KYY
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcq9FdwDk3
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70HesxErJi
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSg2fjzKm2
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeGoThgX8H
"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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ2vSmF5qz
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDSYRKMBet
Because I'm a stupid girl.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4yEEtgJSz
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoZ9ewjFhZ
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs7mcuSVOK
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRI48U1cg1
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjBaXluCw9
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyBn3viHyE
Nope, not going down that mental path...806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKteF2Edz32
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGKqeMFf97
"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.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCilyaAyvAV
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CnOyyTJ3h
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnWKFATtPL
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0yZOHufP9
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLLld2wycW
"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. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWIOA7HkrK
"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?806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tWeEOvL9X
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5h1k6Scr
But where can I go?806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4OViIYH5j
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtqNBN3Du9
"Hello?" No answer. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhgR9UTebX
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 806Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCJOLNTBZc
Thank God. Alone at last.
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