Kat748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY18kYzr1x
748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaqkoLYN3W
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx77QQoaCj
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTEEIVG71c
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMNTB8ZoRE
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKa8XAsdZk
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BBVFFq573
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsCgumN9EC
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrYJyEaIDE
"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." 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkCgmQfpch
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo175KwUg1
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ebglfL290
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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0bU3U5cri
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjfsppoOzD
This is so not what I need tonight.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wOkCWWjvt
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZPO2UTJot
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZebgPmHto
"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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BXXDdMDJ0
"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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UqYyb4RSU
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAlOMkHjWU
I just stare at her, completely confused.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXn9R17c3U
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVuqO3GP41
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhhVf9t3IF
"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." 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDZLJJZu2i
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ItFkO6pK
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYXGC7pvZL
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7jH2fNh4j
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCqHQabI7C
"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!" 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHcIln86p0
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo7Q5s3Gno
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sIv8AbQ3I
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEcAedMit0
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDvHuAKPET
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsl64TCRIH
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vSSFEGJAS
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sVQPlqpFB
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP4cW3mQni
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI1UK9GTt7
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47XJi2yXNu
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFhB9eneMw
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNB92g63TW
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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO9kZD1lOk
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP32SjAXJi
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRb84n76t9
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."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxksRfYtVL
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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg2oYbNFnW
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyuYBricuj
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKetA5z5ri
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKCIO8xYbj
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdud0AzPA6d
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdIarCFjSY
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6s7bJm9IY
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QOmsnWsTW
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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVJbFACiK6
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFLdhLjU0E
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIe348vtmS
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qYHMSzmnT
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeireHnYTOt
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENMcnsD9eN
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gJJzUiIPN
"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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK3Z3pOOdp
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiqFAt23ov
Because I'm a stupid girl.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh31x3C98Rg
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GHy9Y9ZNG
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhODlx3h8cT
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzPAfACIti
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13fq4o12sv
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOtIyMcBOz
Nope, not going down that mental path...748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42UDNBW8T5
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fnFKCOEOQ
"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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdIZaL0gNo
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzxYjSt3C9
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8l7MZ589O
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2bfgs34ie
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ558IWdbYno
"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. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVYods0prE
"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?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55NodCUhUB
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q9IBn9VUx
But where can I go?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAln2jqRKd
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYsHLTA0qp
"Hello?" No answer. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbVvlSlsmY
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopIZe38kVE
Thank God. Alone at last.
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