Forgiven // l.h. // Book 2 in Bully Series

9. Get Out

"Molly, no!" I vaguely heard the whispered order, followed by the thumps of footsteps, before something wet touched my cheek. I let out a groan and pushed the intruder away.

"October, kindly fuck off." I mumbled, pulling the comforter tighter around my body. She pressed her nose to my face again, then proceeded to lick my cheek. My eyes snapped open instantly. That was definitely not October. "What the—Molly!" I squealed, pushing myself up from my laying position. I frowned slightly when pain washed through my head, but it was gone in a few moments and I was able to properly pet the dog in front of me.

Molly had definitely aged since I last saw her. The hair around her muzzle had become white, and I could tell that having two feet up on the bed like she was currently doing was painful. I gently pushed her back to the floor and pushed the covers away from my body.

It wasn't until my feet touched the floor that I came to my senses and realized just where I was. The walls were the exact same color, and there was even a small dent in the wall I remembered making once when I fell and my math book slipped from my hands. 

I tried to think about how I got here, but nothing was coming to mind. I remembered being pestered to go to the party at the club by Ashton and Calum, and dancing the night away with Katie, but nothing after that. I frowned, feeling uneasiness build up in my chest. What the hell happened? Even when I'd gotten drunk back in college I remembered most of the night. The pieces I didn't remember weren't totally gone, either. I'd have flashes of what happened. But this was way different. I rememberd heading back towards the table, then nothing.

The uneasiness instantly turned into a very naseous feeling, and I stood up quickly. I didn't even have time to question Luke as to why he was standing in the doorway, instead pushing past him on my way to the bathroom. The worst part about throwing up was the fact that there was nothing to come out. Which meant I'd spent some time in this bathroom last night as well.

After the retching stopped, I sat on the floor for a few moments. I hadn't noticed it when I first woke up, but I was beyond exhausted. I pushed myself back and leaned against the wall of the bathroom, closing my eyes.

"You know, for a college graduate, you've got some pretty irresponsible partying habits." I didn't respond to Luke's insult right away, choosing to rest a moment before I opened my eyes and looked at him.

"To be honest, Luke, I'm tired of all of this fighting." I sighed, pulling my knees to my chest. "Our past is just that—the past." Luke frowned.

"I'm not trying to fight with you right now, Daeyna. You could have seriously been injured last night because you made a stupid decision." The uneasiness I had felt earlier returned as I looked up at him from the floor.

"What do you mean?" I questioned weakly. I wasn't sure I really wanted to know the answer, but I felt the need to ask anyway. Luke gave me a sort of pained look, and I could tell he was thinking of what might have happened, even though I technically didn't even know what had already happened.

"You took water from a stranger last night Daeyna." He said, giving me a stern look. "The two of you were already outside before I stopped you." I felt my stomach drop at his words. Had I really been that stupid? "The reason you feel like shit today is because he drugged you." My jaw dropped slightly as I looked at him.

"Oh." It was all I could bring myself to say. No wonder this hangover felt different. I closed my eyes, trying to push back the bile rising in my throat at the thought of how horribly wrong last night could have gone. "I'm so sorry." I said after a moment of silence.

"It's okay, just be more careful—"

"Not just about last night, though I'm sorry I was so stupid." I interrupted, slowly pushing myself up off the ground. Luke watched me get up, but didn't offer a helping hand. "I'm sorry for that day."

Luke's face scrunched up slightly at my words, as if I'd just said something he disagreed with. He backed out of the bathroom so I could get through, but said nothing in response to my words. I'd be lying if I said I expected him to hug me and forgive me for everything. But I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't hurt at his lack of a response.

"Okay, I get it." I breathed quietly, glancing at the floor before looking back up at him. "Do you know where my phone and clothes from last night are?" I questioned. I had noticed while on the floor of the bathroom that Luke had changed me into a pair of his sweatpants and a t-shirt. I had wanted to feel embarrassed that he saw me in my underwear, but he'd seen me in substantially less clothing before, so it really didn't matter.

"On the desk in the guest room." He said the words guest room so nonchalantly that it hurt. That wasn't the guest room. That was my room. It might not technically be mine anymore, but that didn't matter to me. That room with the comfy bed and light walls would always be mine, no matter what the residents of the house called it.

"Okay, thanks. I'll call a cab. And I promise I'll wash these and get them to Ashton or someone so they can give them back." I said, turning towards the room. When I came back out, phone (I was disappointed when I realized it had died in the night) and neatly folded clothes in hand, Luke spoke.

"I can just drive you, you know." He offered. I lifted my eyebrows in surprise.

"You don't have to if you don't want to. It's really not a big deal." Luke gave me a look that clearly said 'just take my offer'. So, I did. "But if you're offering,  I suppose." I corrected, giving him a small smile. Without another word, he spun and headed down the stairs.

I offered to get him a cup of coffee in my apartment once we arrived. He seemed hesitant, but when I said I wanted to thank him for saving me, he agreed.

As soon as we entered my apartment, October was all over me and Luke, meowing as if her life depended on it. I frowned at her, crossing to the storage along the right wall and pulling out her bag of cat food.

"Calm down, would you, October?" I complained, pouring a small amount of food in the dish for my three-legged companion.

Once the coffee was started, I turned to Luke.

"I meant what I said earlier, you know. About being sorry." I offered up the apology a second time, hoping maybe I'd get a response this time around.

"Why did you really invite me over, Daeyna?" He asked. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"I told you earlier. Because I wanted to thank you." I replied. Luke stared at me for a good amount of time before speaking again.

"And why are you choosing now to apologize? It's been almost five years." I felt frustration bubble up at his words.

"Because I thought maybe we might put this all behind us and try to start over as friends." I said truthfully. I was honestly so tired of bickering with Luke every time I saw him. And, to be completely honest,  I did miss him. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them and looking me directly in the eye.

"Trust isn't something easily earned, Daeyna. And there really aren't any start overs." Luke sighed. I narrowed my eyes at him, anger making my cheeks flush.

"How dare you use my words against me when you know this is nothing like that." I growled, pushing my chair back with a loud scraping sound. "I can't believe you."

I was hurt that he had the audacity to try and use those words against me like that. When I said them so many years ago, it was because I didn't know if I could be friends with the guy who constantly taunted and teased me. This situation was completely different. We hadn't spoken in a long time, and yeah each of us had our reasons to be upset at the other. But to throw my own words back my face like that?

The door opened with a slight whooshing sound, and I turned an icy glare Luke's way.

"Get out." I ordered. Luke's eyebrows shot up, and it made me angrier that he didn't seem at all phased by the fact that he'd just royally hurt my feelings.

"I haven't had my—"

"Get out!" I emphasized. It took him a few seconds, but eventually Luke stood up and left. He didn't apologize or say goodbye.

He just simply left.

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Woot! Chapter 9 is here! And of course it's filled with drama! Please let me know what you thought! I love seeing your feedback. =))