Kat726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfQxSKUarw
726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCIMeTryig
February 14, 2005
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2 weeks later
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726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuQoyMwEV4
"Do I really have to go?" I plead with my best friend, hoping to stay in tonight. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsYMIBiJFL
"Yes." She gives me a "don't question me" look that I'm sure she will use on her children someday. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc76WPROzDz
"But... will he be there?" She knows exactly who I'm talking about. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjgcqC1JdU
"Oh, I don't know... Probably not?" I can sense her hesitation.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NVKhyiYQN
"You are a terrible liar." I roll my eyes as I continue getting ready.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjinuLGEfud
"Listen, just don't think about that jackass tonight. Have fun with me!" She grabs onto my arm, bouncing with excitement.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlvTbY5d25
"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." 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKI1zDiMWx
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUahEKMzDb
"Crap... He is totally going to be there." I figured he would be, but knowing everyone else would be there only cemented it.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlSMPUA2AY
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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJGJhAFgfM
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbHrPJnFab
This is so not what I need tonight.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdko3n4DGP
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS8JeXyHoC
"Ness... what are you talking about?" I'm not actually sure I want to know. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonzUVQw6dv
"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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy4MKT7Y57
"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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkQnHOXaol
She scoffs, sitting next to me. "Come on, Katie-bug... Even you aren't that dense."726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgP4aXDjHo
I just stare at her, completely confused.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10YpCHmWi4
"Ugh... Seriously? He thinks you are hot and he wants some of that." She gestures towards me. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR0HQH4Txc
"What?!? Jeez, did you really have to put it like that?" I can feel my face burning from embarrassment. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhF7kI1yG2
"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." 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0w2OwenP5
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieMsRzPmzA
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz6vxbYbHh
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlp38JxS6T
"Fuck! That fucking hurt you fucking bitch!" She hops back up on the bed, punching me in the arm before joining in my laughter. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLuBajxZ0l
"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!" 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1yC9HkiTe
"Well, at least you got the rug burn a different way this time." I smirk, proud of my quick wit.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYSqhkuCll
"Ah! You skank!" She throws her pillow directly at my face. Even though it's soft, it still stings.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO4FReLlKX
"Pretty sure, I'm not the skank in this room, whore!" I throw the pillow back, but miss. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9KBFOiodz
"Pretty sure Ben would disagree!" The proud look on her face immediately vanishes. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxIp7wjGLh
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnejZZCZ83z
"Don't worry about it." I run out the door, into the safety of a bathroom stall. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROwsPcxegK
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkgbI9jkkc
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6rxVfvfRm
"Kat?" I hear Sophie's voice echo through the bathroom.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAw2iUpUOq
"Yeah, Soph?" I almost didn't respond, but she obviously knows I'm in here.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxpg3IwzEN
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SC1P2hRbz
"Yeah, just a second." I flush the toilet to make it seem like I wasn't just a weirdo sitting in here. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6QPUxY14T
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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cBOOlcs92
"Are you okay?" She seems concerned and I wonder if Ness sent her to check on me. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07u5lmzUoz
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9re9JJ7Z9
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."726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhrCUloQ3R
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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAwuc8FZFB
Yes, he's a jerk, but seriously it's not that big of a deal. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHLmUk2Tmd
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe someday you will actually believe it.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30niYke2lx
"I'm good. Really." I try to give her my most convincing smile as we finally make it out the door.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUd6ro05cQ
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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwS5iarUou
I spot him, across the room sitting at the kitchen table. Surprisingly, he's alone, engrossed in his phone.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAWQ10CzLZ
Yeah, like that's going to last. Cue the blonde bimbo who's probably on her way back from the bathroom right now.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6BvccPH7F
I sit on the couch with Sophie and Vanessa, as Nate hands us each a drink and squeezes next to my best friend. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH1ACsJkxC
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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPRTkPOygY
"Here, sit here." I stand, gesturing to my seat. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sRX8E3LaA
"Oh no, Kat. Don't worry about it." He's so nice, but I honestly don't want to sit there anymore.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms5MtViDHx
"Please, I insist. It is Valentine's Day after all." I smile as I step away. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6En92UoQwT
"Okay..." He hesitates, but only for a moment. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt25bzm6CUe
I move to the love seat to sit alone. How pathetic am I? 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqRFITjy3p
"Hello, my lady." I feel the seat move next to me. I look up to find Kai, smirking. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaMcMBjxrr
"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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSei0IAl0i9
I look over at him, out of habit. I try not to watch him, but for some reason my eyes always find him. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EWNABDOPt
Because I'm a stupid girl.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4oMAJzZd
Our eyes meet, for just a second and I feel the air rush from my lungs.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXeRFp0X9z
Wait... was he just staring at me? No way, he must have just happened to look up at the exact wrong time.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuLvWyEdo7
I totally didn't notice that he's still sitting by himself. Nope, I didn't notice that at all.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ76ImDxXV
I head to the bathroom, annoyed with my unusually small bladder. I barely drank anything. I try to mentally count the cups. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9GmTlGmI4
Okay... so maybe I drank more than I realized. Oops. What would Dad say?726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMtiHylDPp
Nope, not going down that mental path...726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiidyGo6O5Z
When I return to my seat, I find it's taken. Kai looks at me apologetically. "Katarina, this is Barbie." 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EIOfpbx5c
"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.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVlvxtWfkl
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuRwAho8Aq
"It's Kat. And my best friend is dating Kai's roommate." I guess that's who I am? Hopefully it's good enough.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR8nzE8HF1
"Babe, your kinda in Kat's seat." Her face falls slightly. Oh god, now I feel awkward. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7r6rPevzy
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all yours." I back away, hoping she doesn't see me as a threat.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjm2BVBYNU
"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. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb2l8aTYN6
"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?726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiCEyVHskL
Well, there goes all my friends, lost in the daze of their significant others... I need to get out of here. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWsdVeQtmm
But where can I go?726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkDVtEj8Zv
I find my feet leading me to a familiar room. I open the door slightly.726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYQTOkTSvV
"Hello?" No answer. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tr0UnCFeh
I don't even bother to turn on the light as I crash into the bed. 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABDXtzebKG
Thank God. Alone at last.
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