Strawberry Blonde

五十四

" Well define cheat." Charolette said.

" What do you mean define cheat ? Is there different forms of cheating ?" Laurence asked.

" Umm yeah ? Emotional and physical." Bryan added.

Charolette began with extra sass in her voice.
" So that would be hooking up with someone else, falling out of love with your partner but having it for someone else, kissing someone else-

At that revelation I felt a cold sweat formed on my neck.

I looked at Bryan who already had his eyes glued to me.

The locker room.

I never told Laurence about that, I didn't think it'd be cheating ? No it can't be, I pulled away from it to, I didn't want Bryan to do that.

I didn't get the same spark that Laurence gives me.

Charolette continued her list of cheating examples until Tanner interrupted her.
" Wait if you know all this why did you want me to define it ?"

She put a finger down.
" Just wanted to know what the groups idea of cheating was and before anyone asks, yes I regret it and yes I'm working on myself yada yada."

No one joined her on that question but I felt a thick lump form in my throat.

" Hassan ?" Laurence nudged me. "It's your go."

" Right um, never have I ever..." I felt the room start to spin while talking.

" Never have I ever-

A sharp pain in my stomach battled the dazed feeling in my head, both sensations in a war for dominance.

The thunder outside roared with a furious below as a crack of lighting lit the whole house momentarily.

" Hey you don't look so good you want to lay down ?" Laurence calmly asked trying to hide the panic in his voice.

I shook my head as that was all I could do and within the next second I was in his arms.

" I'll be back guys ! Just uhh, keep playing !" He said carrying me to the stairs.

I threw my eyes to look over his shoulder, Bryan and Charolette wore concerned faces while Tanner's was consumed with guilt and fear.

I didn't want to leave him with just them but I felt like I was going to implode sitting there.

We got to the top of the stairs and Laurence looked around confused.
" Which is yours ?" He asked with a trail of thunder from outside almost masking his soft voice.

I weakly pointed at my door and he opened it by leaning down on the handle then pushing.

He stopped for a second, looking around observing before putting me in bed.

" This isn't how I pictured my first time in your room would be." He joked.

I smiled faintly at him and he took my hand within his, kissing my knuckles over and over again.
" Is there anything I can do ? Do you need pain meds ?"

I pointed to my dresser and he reached over grabbing a small orange cylinder studying the bottle.

" Just one." I managed to croak.

He untwisted it and put a small white capsule in my hand as I took it back and swallowed with no water.

" Hassan I could of got you glass !?" The shock in his voice making me laugh through the soreness.

" You're a really good boyfriend." I said to him before the hands of sleep claimed me.

Laurence

A smile danced into existence.

A good boyfriend huh ?

He was already fast asleep but I couldn't help but just sit there and admire his beauty.

Hassan was all mine and I loved every second of realizing it, over and over.

I kissed his forehead as he slept.
" I'm so happy we met." I whispered getting up from his side.

I didn't want to leave but I also didn't want those grade-A idiots messing up his house.

When I got back downstairs Bryan and Charolette shot up interrogating me.
" Where is he ?"
" Is he alright ?"
" What happened ?"
" Is he coming back ?"

They both were talking so fast I couldn't even tell who was asking me what.
" Relax ! He's fine I gave him some pain medication and he's just resting right now."

They both breathed a sigh of relief and then I caught two eyes staring at me behind them.

Tanner.

If it wasn't for him my baby wouldn't be in pain right now. I felt my fist clench and skin get hot.

I didn't want to see him right now but with the storm outside we were all trapped here together.

I know Hassan wanted me to play nice but I've had it.
" So, how are you Tanner ?"

He looked up at me, worried but also confused.
" W-what do you mean ?"

" I'm just asking how you're doing, just wanted to know if you were alright ya know ? After almost killing someone and then sitting in their house like it's nothing." It was too late to take it back, my anger had won.

" Hey let's be nice." Charolette said putting her hand on my chest.

" Oh because you know so much of what that is right Charolette ?" I snapped at her.
" I really do like you but I'm still warming up to you, I forgave you but I didn't forget how you made me feel for months."

She looked away from me and slowly moved out my way knowing how she use to bully me with her friends.

" I'm sorry..." Tanner admitted. The candles in front of him dramatically glossened the forming tears in his eyes.

" I bet you are, but it doesn't matter what I think it only matters what Hassan thinks and he's giving you another shot so I just gotta suck it up and atleast tolerate you."

Bryan grabbed my arm.
" Dude..." he shook his head at me as if I was doing too much.
" look I know he's a scumbag but this isn't the time or place for it right now."

I was starting to calm myself until Tanner spoke again.
" Does he know Bryan ?"

Bryan's eyes squinted in confusion until they widened in an unspoken realization which fear had taken over his face.

" Do I know what ?" I asked.

" Does he know about the kiss ?" Tanner said tilting his head.