Infamy

Aftermath

    Lola blinked as the early morning light invaded her eyes, she looked around at the unfamiliar room. It was very tidy with 2 dressers one long and one tall both black and a large flatscreen television mounted on the wall above the longer dresser. There was a tall round laundry basket in the corner beside the taller dresser with only a few pieces of clothing in it, and a black and white geometric rug covered most of the floor. She scooted up on the pillow gently careful not to disturb whoever belonged to the arm draped over her. How did I get here? She thought to herself. Who's room is this? Who's bed is this? What am I doing here. Just as she was resolving to herself never to drink again, the black comforter rustles as the other occupants of the bed roll into more comfortable positions. She looks to her right, she sees black short hair and instantly recognizes Mason. Strange how only knowing him for a short time she's already familiar enough to recognize the top of his head sticking out of the covers. She scoots up enough to swing her legs around looking over to see if she can ascertain just who else she spent the evening with. She only had to lift the cover a tiny bit to recognize Holly. Her stomach instantly knots up with butterflies, she knew nothing happened she vaguely remembered Mason bringing them up here to fall asleep when her and Holly were dozing off on the couch. He had invited only Lola initially but she didn't want to leave her new friend so he indulged her. She had called it a sleepover and made him bring snacks up. Where did they go? she wondered there was no sign of them now in this immaculate room. Off to the right was a midsize bookshelf she decided she would check it out as soon as she got back from the restroom she definitely couldn't hold it another second.
    She quietly crept out but as she pushed open the door it made a loud creak. Oh geez, she thought and looked around to ensure she hadn't disturbed anyone. No sign of anyone, the coast seemed clear. She dashed down the hallway her bare feet pattering on the hard wood floor. Luckily the bathroom was empty beside a couple of people passed out in the tub. Figuring they weren't waking up anytime soon she closed the curtain and took care of her business. After washing her hands and drying them on the hand towel hanging there she headed back to the room she came out of. Once back inside she slowly shut the door behind her praying it didn't creak this time, she tiptoed over to the book shelf. Glancing over the titles she was elated, all of the classics. Wuthering heights, Blades of Grass, Great Expectations. She was in absolute awe of this man in this moment. Could it get more perfect?
Then instantly she thought to herself yes, Conor was more perfect. Conor was more perfect and literally died for her it doesn't get more dedicated  than that. Instantly her mood shifts and she wants out of there. As she turns to dash out the door she hears her name called softly and stops in her tracks. When she looks up Mason is stretching his arms up and yawning. "Where you headed?" He asks sleepily. "Aren't you tired, lay back down." He pats the space beside him on the bed she had previously occupied. "I gotta take a shower, and change out of this dress." She gestures to last nights outfit. "Just take one here, you can wear something of mine." He suggests, "your shower is occupied." She giggles "what?" He looks confused. "There's more than one bathroom anyway." He replied. "I mean no pressure or anything I'm just letting you know there are options. You probably aren't going to find an available Uber or cab anyway, I noticed you didn't drive yourself here." Lola hadn't considered this fact. "Do you mind showing me to another bathroom? I hate to be a bother." She said shyly. "Yeah, no problem it was my idea silly and you're never a bother." He replied as he scooted out of the bed. Holly was still knocked out not even stirring at the sound of their voices. Lola didn't blame her that was a very comfortable bed.
     Mason led her out the door and down the stairs past the dining room to a bathroom about half the size of the one upstairs as she entered she looked around to make sure she was alone. "Thank you so much." She said. "Absolutely no problem, do you want me to wait for you?" "Please?" She phrased it almost as a question "sure thing, There's washcloths and extra soap in that cabinet and also there should be a pack of toothbrushes and if there's not toothpaste let me know I'll go get mine from upstairs." She checked there was indeed toothpaste." Nope everything is here thanks again." "Anything for you" he replied as he sat the clothes he grabbed for her down and exited the room. She adjusted the water turned the nozzle on and waited a few seconds for it to heat up. The water pressure was perfect. She entered the shower at the front and pushed the shower head to the side so it wasn't spraying directly on her. She smelled the shampoo that poured into her hands, it was fragranced of coconut with a hint of something else, lime maybe she didn't know exactly but it smelled delectable. As she lathered her hair she let her mind wander, she thought of sweet Mila and how she would have enjoyed last nights festivities. How much more fun this would all be with her friend along. Her heart hurt at the thought. It's ok lol she thought to herself as she rinsed the last of the suds from her long hair and picked up the bottle of matching conditioner. They must have this bathroom set up for female guests bc she doubted any of these men use these products regularly even the soap had a flowery scent. She imagined how Mila would have considered them all "man whores" for setting this up and she giggled slightly at the consideration. Just like that she felt overwhelmed again with emotion. She found herself sitting on the floor of the shower hugging her legs. Conditioner and water running down her face, it didn't bother her though. The sting soothed her, it was nice to feel something other than hurt for one night but now it was back with a vengeance. She would pay dearly for her carefree night with her new friends. She had no idea how long she sat there trying to hold herself together but suddenly she became aware it was carrying on for too long. She forced herself up lathered her washcloth in soap and finished her shower. After drying off and putting on the well oversized sweats and tank top that hung to about her mid thigh she emerged from the bathroom to find Mason leaning over the arm of the couch having a little rest. He looked so peaceful there she hated to bother him. She decided to let him rest while she put her hair in two French braids. When she was finished she only needed to gently tap his shoulder to rouse him from his sleep he smiled up at her and asked, " you feel better?" "Very much so." She replied and they headed back upstairs. Once in his room he asked if she wanted to watch anything on Netflix, they settled on all American and laid back down. At this point Holly woke up she looked confused. "Good morning sunshine." Lola exclaimed "did you sleep well?" "Mmm, it's too early." The girl mumbled as she  rolled back over. Mason and Lola laughed as quietly as they could. Just then her stomach growled loudly. "Was that your tiny stomach making all that noise?" He laughed. " do you want real breakfast or is a pop tart ok? He inquired. "A pop tart will suffice...I suppose" she replied he left her to settle in and get comfortable while he ran back downstairs to grab them something to eat. She felt a little guilty but her hunger won out so she didn't stop him. When he returned with the food Lola scooted over to make room for him and then nestled into the covers. This is nice she though to herself,  do I deserve to feel this content? she worried. Maybe not but we will let karma work that out for herself, and she resolved to try to live her best life and find the happiness she deep down
knew Mila and Conor would want for her. Because even if she knew better they always thought she deserved the best, do they know now? She wondered do they know that they sacrificed themselves for a selfish foolish girl. She hoped not, she hoped wherever they were they still thought the best of her...which in fact she mused was probably a very selfish thought.