TIFFIN 2

85

When I woke, I still felt groggy, but able to recognize my surroundings. I was lying on a bed, being tended to by someone familiar.

Oh fuck. It was that girl, Rose.
 
She was prodding with my limp arm, sticking some sort of tube into my skin, forcing a sharp sting to take over. 

What was that?

I winced. 

"Your vitals are way better," Rose smiled, pressing a bandaid to my wound. "You gave us quite a scare." 

When I tried to sit up, she only pushed me back. 

"Please stay still." She ordered softly. "I'm a nurse. I know what I'm doing." 

"I... I don't understand..." I stuttered, "what am I doing here? I should be at the-" 

"Frat?" Rose finished incredulously. "That's the last place you should be. I think it's time you found some new friends." 

I shook my head trying to remember all that happened last night. None of this was making sense. 

"Are you psycho?" I spat. "Let me go!" 

"Fine," Rose shrugged. "Leave if you must, though I recommend you not to. You were drugged only a few hours ago. I need to clean your system." 

I scoffed, not wanting to believe this. Drugged? I hadn't taken anything! 

She looked down at me with recognition in her eyes. 

"The confusion in your eyes is telling. Let me refresh your memory. Your good friend from the party had the boy make you a laced drink. Of what, I'm not sure, but you should file a case." 

I shook my head, trying to process all this. 

"Oh my god... I..." 

I suddenly remembered the boy in the kitchen that had been mixing the juice together for me. Oh crap. Had that not really been juice? 

My friend?

None of those bitches at the frat and I got along that much. 

"Kylie did this?" I breathed, jumping to my first conclusion. 

Rose swiveled around, pinning me with a half-hearted smirk. 

"Kylie? The sweet girl that saved your life? No. It wasn't. If she hadn't seen them all carrying your body up the stairs, I wouldn't have gotten to you on time." 

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. Kylie... saved me? 

I stared up from under my lashes. 

"Do you know who it was?" 

Rose took a long, deep breath. 

"I think her name was Nora... or something like that. She was joined by a few guys but I didn't catch their names. Look... I don't know what your beef is with that girl-"

"I don't have beef!" I immediately choked out. "She's the one who has a problem. She's always coming onto Hero like he's some prize to be won. I knew she didn't like me, but this..." 

Rose smiled earnestly.

"You really love him don't you? I can tell because so many girls are envious of it."
 
Now we were having a heart to heart?

What in the hell was going on right now? 

I narrowed my eyes the best I could. 

"I don't get it. I was cruel to you. I came to the frat to get some insight on you. Doesn't it hurt to see the girl that's dating your ex?" 

Rose quirked her mouth to the side, thinking about this for a moment. 

"No, not really. I had feelings for him but he wasn't an ex. We were more of... acquaintances." 

After a long minute of surveying me, she went on. 

"You don't have to answer but I need to know... did he tape you as well?" 

I pressed my lips into a thin line. 

"Yes, though he never wanted to share it publicly." 

Why was I being so honest with her?

"I'm glad he's so happy." Rose said. 

I looked at her and was astounded. The way she spoke of him was like a mother who was very fond of her son. 

"I know what it's like," she went on, "to go through what Nora put you through last night. Or almost did." 

I shrugged not quite understanding. 

"I'm sorry?" 

Rose eyes began to water. 

"You mean... you don't remember?" 

I searched around the room with my eyes as if it would give me the answers I needed. 

Rose clasped her hands to her mouth in shock. 

"They were going to do unspeakable things to you Kristina. Unforgivable things. Believe when I say that I went through it and... oh... it's too graphic to detail. Let me leave it at I'm glad you're okay."

Before we could continue our conversation, Hero bursted into the room. He spared one look at Rose before shoving her aside. 

"Get the fuck away from her!" 

What? 

"Hero!" I screamed. "Stop! She was helping me! What are you doing?" 

He ran his hands through his hair looking more exasperated than ever. 

"I'm sorry I'm worried about my fucking fiance.... fuck! I get a call and..." 

He turned around, trying to compose himself. When he'd calmed enough, he turned to face me again. 

"What did they do to you?" He growled. 

I sucked in a sharp breath, not quite knowing what to reply with. He was in hysterics and it had taken me by surprise. I didn't do well in stressful situations. 

"They didn't do anything. Thank god." Rose said firmly. "Kylie and I got her out of there before anything could happen." 

Hero scoffed. "Kylie?"

I blinked. "Yes... she saved me... she was the one that really put a stop to it..." 

He paced the room, looking like he were about to punch everything in sight. 

"I need to find those fuckers." 

I felt myself hiccup from the emotions coursing through my body. 

"No.... please... it's not worth it. What you need to do is go thank Kylie. Make her feel better." 

Hero grinded his teeth violently, looking at me like I'd grown two heads. 

"So... what? I'm supposed to just let this go? Fuck that! FUCK THAT!"
 
With a huff he stormed out of the room.