The Setup

The Party

I went home intoxicated that night and Brent found out I got fired, so the black eye seemed justified.

I tried to cover it up with as much makeup as I could but it was still visible. I hoped the lights were dim enough at Jonah's party that he wouldn't be able to tell.

I slid on a nice black dress, trying to look nice enough for the party. I grabbed my purse and keys, quickly heading out the door before Brent could say anything.

I got in my car, putting in the address Jonah gave me and I headed in that direction.

As I drove, the neighborhoods went from run down to overly fancy, all the way to 'I feel like I shouldn't be here because it's way too expensive'

I pulled up to the house Jonah gave me and it was huge. At least five times the size of my house.

The music buzzed from the outside and people were flooded into the front lawn. I took a deep breath before getting out of my car and walking up to the house, feeling more broke than I ever have.

I walked through the front door, immediately being pushed by bodies going in and out of the house. My chest shook as the beat of the music rattled through my body. The smell of sweat mixed with alcohol filled the air of the well lit house.

I pushed my way further in, looking for the only person I knew at the party, Jonah.

I looked around slowly as I made my way to the area where they had all the drinks laid out, knowing I wouldn't find him easily in the crowd.

I grabbed myself a cup, reaching for whatever alcohol was closest.

"Hi Y/n" A loud voice boomed behind me over the music.

"Hey Sophia" I smiled as I turned around, seeing her light brown hair shine with the lights almost making her hair look auburn

"What are you drinking?" She looked to where my hand was going, as if she was eyeing me to make sure I was actually sober

"Just a coke" I grabbed a can of soda from behind the alcohol I was reaching for, hating Jonah for saying I was sober

"Come with me, Jonah is with Corbyn" I nodded my head, following her in her shiny silver dress with tall heels to match.

Sophia pushed her way through the large crowd, taking us out of the large living room, to the backyard where Jonah and Corbyn were playing beer pong with, I think, Jack and Daniel.

I let out a sigh of relief as the backyard was darker, making it easier to hide the black eye.

"Doll face! You made it" Jonah cheered as he threw the ball, making it into one of the three cups Jack and Daniel had left

Sophia strut her way over to Corbyn, instantly making me insecure as I looked down at my plain black sneakers.

As I got up to Jonah, Corbyn wrapped his arms around Sophia, laying his head on top of hers, swaying back and forth. They were a cute couple.

Jonah threw both arms around me, picking me up off the ground, spinning me around. I let out a slight shriek before it turned into playful laughter.

Jonah placed my feet back down on the concrete floor. He placed his index finger under my chin, propping my head up to look at him. He looked down at me with a smile, before lightly pressing his lips against mine.

Before I could even comprehend what was going on, everyone around us started hollering and Jonah pulled away.

"What are you drinking, doll face?" Jonah took my cup of soda from my hand, taking a sip

"Just a coke" I smiled, seeing Sophia from the corner of my eye nod her head to Corbyn

Jonah put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side and walking back over to the table.

"So Y/n, how long have you been sober?" Corbyn asked, throwing and missing the other teams cups

I looked up at Jonah, feeling him lightly tap my back four times. He must have told them something and he wanted our answers to be the same.

"Four months" Jonah pulled me into his chest, kissing the top of my head

"That's great! Congrats" Corbyn smiled, nodding his head at me

"Jonah, can I talk to you?" Sophia whispered, nodding her head towards the direction of the house

"Are you okay here with Corbyn, doll face?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine"

Jonah and Sophia walked inside together while I stood beside Corbyn, as Jack made his shot.

"Your go" Corbyn smiled, handing me the ball

"I'm not very good at this" I lied, trying to cover the fact that I used to play this every weekend.

I took the ball, throwing it right into the second last cup. Corbyn looked at me with his jaw dropped open.

"You're officially my new pong partner" Corbyn chuckled as Daniel took the shot

"Lucky shot" I shrugged as Corbyn laughed

"Hey doll face, come here" I looked to the slide patio doors, seeing Jonah sticking his head out.

Sophia walked past me giving a sympathetic look, sending a wave of nervousness over my body.

I walked with my head low over to Jonah, not letting the light hit my face to make my eye visible.

"Can we talk in my room, please?" Jonah grabbed my hand as I nodded my head.

Jonah pushed through the growing crowd, taking me towards the stairs. We walked past multiple rooms and bathrooms until we made it to the end of the hall.

Jonah opened the door to what I assumed, at the time, was his bedroom. There was a large king size bed, a beautiful piano and pictures of what must have been, amazing memories, all over the walls.

Jonah walked over to his bed, sitting down on the edge. He rested his elbows on his thighs, resting his chin on his folded hands

"Would you like to tell me what happened last night?"

"What are you talking about?" I kept my head low, leaning my back on the closed door

"Doll face, come sit and talk to me" I cautiously walked over to Jonah, sitting beside him in his bed. I could feel Jonah's stare but I didn't move.

"Sophia told you?" I mumbled

"Yes. Y/n, look at me" Jonah put his finger under my chin, pulling my head up to look at him. Jonah wiped a finger under my eye causing me to pull back, flinching in pain.

"What happened doll face?"

"I fell"

"You didn't get a black eye from falling. What happened?"

"I just fell, hit my head on a table in my room" I shrugged

"Y/n, seriously, who did this to you? Was it Jon? Or one of your parents-"

"He is not my parent" Shit

"So it's someone you live with.. Stepdad? Friend of your moms?"

"He's my moms boyfriend. He was drunk and got mad that I was fired. It's fine" I whispered, keeping my eyes on the wall, not ready to meet his gaze

"You're not going back there. I'm not letting you stay in a place that has that guy in it"

"Why do you care? I'm not your girlfriend" My eyes sent a glare at Jonah, seeing his usual tough face turn into a soft daze

"What if I want you to be?"