Stupidly Hot || Jackie Taylor || No crash AU || Present Time AU ||

Chapter Thirteen || Changing Room

I wake up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across my room. As my eyes adjust to the new day, the realization settles in that it's a school day. My mind drifts back to the events of last night, the memory of leaving Mari's house after our intimate encounter still fresh in my thoughts. A mixture of emotions swirls within me – a blend of anticipation, uncertainty, and the lingering sensation of her touch.

Sitting up, I let out a quiet sigh. The room is filled with a subtle sense of emptiness, a reminder of the silence that has settled between Mari and me since last night. Questions dance at the edge of my consciousness, wondering what the day will bring and whether our connection will remain unchanged.

Shaking off the reverie, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and reach for my phone. I contemplate sending Mari a message, but uncertainty holds me back. Instead, I focus on the immediate task at hand – getting ready for school.

I select an outfit, the simple act of choosing clothes serving as a distraction from the thoughts that threaten to consume me. Once dressed, I make my way to the bathroom. As I stand in front of the mirror, a million reflections stare back at me, each one a reflection of the conflicting emotions that are churning within.

I brush my hair with absentminded motions, my thoughts drifting between memories of Mari and the upcoming school day. The rhythmic sound of brushing becomes a sort of meditation, allowing me to momentarily escape the complexities of reality.

Stepping closer to the sink, I squeeze toothpaste onto my toothbrush, my gaze fixed on the foamy bristles as they swirl over my teeth. The mechanical actions offer a sense of grounding, a way to anchor myself amidst the whirlwind of thoughts that threaten to engulf me.

Emerging from the bathroom, I find Nat waiting by the door. Her presence snaps me back to the present moment, and I can't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise. "You're ready before me?" I remark, a hint of disbelief coloring my words. Nat's grin is infectious, and a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "For once," she quips, a playful glint in her eyes that brings a welcome touch of levity to the morning.

As Nat opens the door, I take one last glance around the room, my thoughts a tangle of emotions and anticipation. With a deep breath, I step forward, ready to face the day and whatever it may bring – the challenges of school.

~

I walk with Nat into the changing rooms, the directive from our coach replaying in my mind: "Show up for practice first thing instead of going to class." The early morning light spills through the windows, casting elongated shadows that seem to mirror the choices we make.

As I approach my locker, a sense of determination pulses within me. Methodically, I begin to peel off my shirt, the chill in the air causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. Just as I'm about to retrieve my jersey, Lottie's voice cuts through the quiet, her words laced with a mixture of surprise and intrigue: "Woah." She approaches me with a curious expression, her eyes locked onto the scattered hickeys adorning my upper body like a constellation of secrets waiting to be unraveled.

"Who the hell gave you those?" Lottie's finger points, her disbelief mingling with the curiosity that dances in her gaze. A rush of emotions floods over me, a whirlwind of vulnerability, excitement, and an undeniable connection.

My mind races as I consider how to respond, each word heavy with meaning. "No one," I finally reply, my voice steady despite the tumultuous thoughts swirling within me. I lift my jersey off the locker shelf, the fabric a shield against the probing looks and unspoken questions.

Lottie's suspicion shifts to Jackie, their silent exchange speaking volumes. My heart aches for a reality where those marks have a different origin, one that doesn't tangle my emotions and loyalties into such a complicated web.