Tainted Love

Prologue

Walking back into the house, I can't find AJ anywhere. Where could he have gone? I came outside for ten minutes to get some air away from all these drunk idiots, and he disappears on me. Sad thing is, this isn't the first time while at a party, that he has done this to me. As a matter of fact, this has happened a lot over the last few months. Scanning the room once more, he still is nowhere to be seen. I spot Emori and Jenson standing in the kitchen and walk towards them.

"Hey Em." I say coming to stand in front of her. "Have you seen AJ around?"

"No sweetie. I haven't." She turns to Jenson slapping his arm. "Have you seen AJ?"

"Yeah, about fifteen minutes ago. He was headed upstairs. I figured he was going up there to meet up with you." He smirks at me.

"Shut up!" I slap the back of his head. "I'm going to find my boyfriend. I'll come find ya'll in a bit."

With that, I walk up the stairs towards his bedroom knowing that's where he would have gone. As I approach the door, I immediately know something is wrong from the noises coming from the other side. I push the door open, and I can't believe what I am seeing with my own eyes. It's almost like I am staring at myself from above, watching everything I thought was right in my life fall apart in front of me. Out of everyone in the world, I never thought these two would be the ones to betray me. I am broken from my daze when I hear someone say my name and wrap their arms around me.

"Are you okay?" Emori asks.

All I can do is nod while staring at the pair in front of me. She is scrambling to find her clothes, while he just sits on the bed. AJ, the man I thought loved me, has a blank expression on his face, while Kendra, my supposed best friend, is smirking at me. I feel so much hatred and anger in this moment, I know that when I let it out nothing will ever be the same. Not like it ever could be anyway after what I have just witnessed.

"How long?"

"Does it really matter!?" AJ states.

"Yes, it matters." I spit. "HOW....... LONG!"

"Two months." Kendra speaks.

"She wasn't asking you. You two faced bitch." Emori spits. "It's in your best interest to stand over there and keep your mouth shut."

"Two months." I say to no one in particular. "Two fucking months."

"Kitten, just calm down." AJ states.

"Don't you dare call me that. You lost every right to that nickname when I walked in here an caught you in bed with that whore."

"Whore? Who are you calling a whore?"

"You bitch. She's talking about you. Someone she trusted and thought was one of her best friends." Emori says walking closer to Kendra.

"Well, she should learn she can't trust everyone just because they are nice to her."

Next thing I know, I hear Kendra scream and see Emori on top of her. Jenson runs in, accessing the situation, before going over to pull Em off of Kendra. By the look on his face, he knows what has happened without anyone having to say. I can tell he wants to say something, but when he sees the look on my face, he decides against it. Jenson still has his arms around Emori, knowing that if he lets her go, she would go right back at Kendra.

"Why?" I ask turning to face AJ.

"I don't know. She was here and you weren't."

"WOW! Two years I have wasted loving you, for you to throw it away and that's the best excuse you have?"

"What do you want me to say Peyton? You're always too busy for me, so I found someone who wasn't. Is that what you want to hear?"

I don't know what is happening at this point. This is not the man I fell in love with. What has happened to my sweet, loving, caring man I thought I had a few days ago. I don't dare let a tear fall, because I refuse to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. Not speaking for several moments, I stand there starring at him and I feel my anger becoming all consuming. Nothing he or anyone could say at this point can calm me down. I look to the corner of the room where Kendra still sits on the floor holding her busted up face. I can't hold back the small laugh that escapes my lips from seeing her like this. I feel no sympathy for her what so ever.

"You know Kendra. I really did consider you one of my best friends. When you transferred to this university and knew no one or a place to stay, I took you in. Even when everyone warned me not to, I still helped you. They told me that you were only trying to get close to me because you were jealous of what I have and of my boyfriend. Stupid me didn't listen and now look where we are." I laugh bitterly. "I'll be headed home in about thirty minutes. I suggest you and all your belongings be out of my house by the time I get there. If you're not Emori won't be the only one you have to worry about."

"Where am I supposed to go?" She whimpers.

"Not my problem." I state. "Maybe lover boy here will let you stay with him since he is available now."

"Peyton, please. I don't know anyone else here."

"As I stated, not my problem. For all I care, you can pack up and go back to wherever it is you came from."

With that she walks out of the room not saying another word. Jenson and Emori are still standing to the side watching everything go down. They don't dare leave, knowing I'll need them once this is all over. Turning back to AJ, I see he is now sitting on his bed, his face blank of all emotions. I can't help but think this is really how it ends. Two years with this man and he is really being this nonchalant about things. I guess I never truly knew him the way I thought I did.

"This is really how you're going to act towards me after being together for two years? All you have to say is that I didn't have enough time for you so you found someone else? What kind of excuse even is that?"

"Nothing else I can say. I'm not going to beg you to stay. You made it clear we're done, so you can leave now." He spits.

I nod before turning to leave. Jenson and Emori head out first with me following behind. I still can't believe this is all happening. I pause at the door then to turn to look at AJ once more, to see him already watching me.

"I fucking hate you." Was the last thing I said before walking away.