Inevitable (Book One)

Chapter 13

Lyla

I open my eyes and immediately shut them as I wince at the pounding inside my head. I pull the blanket up over my head to try and shield myself from any light. Suddenly, I realize this is not the feel of my comforter. It's thinner than mine and this one also smells intoxicating and familiar. I open my eyes again, slowly this time, and notice that it's a blue comforter when mine is white. I slowly pull the blanket down off my face and squint as the lighted room hits my eyes. I look around the room and do not recognize where I am.

Panic starts to set it. The walls are painted light gray and there are two large dressers on one wall opposite the bed. There's also a black leather recliner in the corner of the room with a blanket draped over it. I look down at myself as I lift the blanket up and breathe a small sigh of relief as I see I'm still wearing my red dress from last night and not lying naked in a strangers bed.

I turn to the bedside table and find a small lamp, a bottle of Gatorade, my purse and my phone. I realize how thirsty I am and reach for the Gatorade as I sit up in the bed. I crack the bottle open and start to chug it. I take a break halfway through the bottle and take a few breaths before I finish it. I lean back against the wall as I notice this bed does not have a headboard. I glance around along the floor and see a few pieces of men's clothing scattered around. I reach for my phone and check the time to see its just past nine thirty. I sigh as I try to piece together my night. I try to retrace my steps and start to remember being at the party. Oh god, the party. Memories flood me as I close my eyes. The beer, the shots, dancing with Tyler, Shawn and Tyler, Shawn and Erica, puking in the bushes. My hands cover my face as I groan into them. Holy shit, whose bed is this. I start to panic again.

"You're up," a voice breaks me from my internal crisis and I look up to find Shawn standing in the doorway of the room. His face is expressionless as he looks down at me sitting on the bed.

"Hi," I squeak out nervously. He remains in the doorway watching me for anything more I might say, but nothing comes to my brain. He is wearing long flannel pajama pants and white t-shirt. His arms are crossed in front of his chest. After what seems like a minute passes, he leans up off the door frame and strides across the room silently. He stops in front of one of the two dressed and starts digging through a few different drawers as he pulls clothes out. This must be his bedroom.

"Here," he says as he moves to the bed and drops a pile of clothes at the foot of it, ensuring he keeps his distance from me. "The bathroom is the first door on the left in the hall, you can shower and do whatever you need to. These clothes are probably more comfortable then that dress. I'll give you a ride back to your dorm when you're ready." His voice is emotionless and neutral as he speaks to me and avoids eye contact. I stare at him and for a moment his eyes move and briefly lock with mine, but he turns away before I manage to register the emotion in them. His voice is so distant that I wouldn't even believe it was him speaking to me if I didn't watch the words come out of his mouth.

Before I even have a chance to reply, he turns on his heels and leaves me alone in the bedroom. I look around again and take more notice to some of the hockey memorabilia. I see a picture on his dresser of him with who I'm assuming is his sister and dad, they're both smiling and Shawn is in a graduation cap and gown. His sister has the same eyes and smile as him, she's absolutely beautiful. And his father looks identical to Shawn plus twenty years.

I grab my phone again and swing my legs out of the bed. I realize I have a missed call and three messages from Megan from around one in the morning last night. The texts are basically asking where I am and if I'm okay. I quickly reply letting her know I am okay and will be back to our room in a little bit. I stand from the bed and move to grab the pile of clothes Shawn set out for me. I notice he gave me a pair of black sweatpants and a red t-shirt that has some sort of design on it that I can't make out since it's still folded.