Lonely With Me

Chapter 1

Drawing hearts has always been my way of calming down, not that I'm in love or anything. I don't know if I'll ever truly be in love. My boyfriend is lied to daily about my love for him because in reality, if anything, I still feel single.

I feel lonely, even though I know I'm not alone. It is no use telling the truth if it will hurt tons of people, when you can lie and not hurt a single soul.

If I'm already sad, why make anyone else sad, too?

So I hold my head high, and smile at anyone who walks by. But deep down, I know I'm not okay. I am hurt in so many ways.

It seems like the only person that cares about me is Calvin. Not even my boyfriend cares about me as much as he does. He checks up on me every day after school and I tell him everything. He is my new best friend.

And no, I don't think of him in that way. He is like a brother to me.

He is simply another guy from my school that I invited to my Christmas party. Closer to me than most, but still. He is merely my friend.

Oh, right. I never told you about the Christmas bash I'm throwing at my house tomorrow night while my parents are out of town. My parents are gone this whole month and still I can't believe they trusted me alone. I've invited the whole school and all I need to do now is decorate the house.

As I pull into the driveway of my cozy childhood home, I ponder if this was really a smart idea. My parents are strict, and if they found out, I would be in massive trouble.

Whatever, you only live once. I turn the handle of the door and automatically hear Willow, my golden retriever, start barking with joy. She paws her way towards me, beaming. I walk inside and pick up the ball to throw it.

I jump when I see my boyfriend at the door, peeking through the window at me. He has his usual moody expression, and he's carrying his dog, Chloe. Chloe and Willow like to play when Chad comes over and that's probably why he brought her today.

I open the door and he drops Chloe on the floor. Chloe runs away with Willow as he kisses me, then hugs me, before he finally starts speaking.

"You're throwing a party at your house, Indiana, what are you thinking?" his tone grows angrier by the second.

"What else am I supposed to do while my parents are gone? Sit and read books?"

"Yes. Yes, Indiana, exactly! Sit and do homework and read books like a good daughter would do." He begins to yell.

"Well, are you at least coming?" I raise an eyebrow at his sudden change in attitude.

"Well, of course I'm coming. I'm not just gonna have all of the drunk guys from our school swooping in to try and get you while I'm away."

"Okay, but at least help me decorate, the party is tomorrow and I haven't even started."