I WISH I HATED YOU

Chapter 6

"Doris,"

"Doris,"

"DORIS WAKE UP!"

Voices were coming near me. Where am I? What happened? My eyes were slowly opening, and I saw my dad in front of me.

"Where am I?"

I was in my bed covered with a purple blanket, which was weird because I never use that blanket.

"We need to talk about last night!" My dad grabbed the blanket and then threw it away.

"What's going on?"

"Who is Leon!?"

"He is a guy from my school and principal's son"

"What did you do last night?"

As quickly as I wanted to give the answer, I barely remembered anything.

"Me and Sydney went out on Kyle's party. I told you about it."

"Why did you come home at 12 AM and didn't answer my calls?"

"I- Dad, I don't know! I don't remember."

"I stayed till 12 AM waiting for you, then suddenly a young boy walks in, carrying you in his hands. You were sleeping and wasted. What did I tell you about alcohol?"

"Ask him what happened! DAD, I remember nothing. I am really sorry, and don't worry, I won't go to Kyle's party again! I hated it."

"You won't go to any party anymore, anyway."

"Thank God!"

"Now, get up! You're late for school. You also have volleyball practice."

"Yes, Dad!"

"Oh, and say thanks to that boy! He saved your life! Remember that."

****

Baby, please. It's the way you speak. Forming words so easily. And I think of the way you think. It keeps me from falling asleep."

***

It's a typical Monday. My head is spinning, and my heart is pounding out of my chest. There's an empty hole from the last night, and I have exam for today that I forgot about. Why did I show up at that stupid party?

I'm zoned out, standing in the school hall. Wish I could just disappear and start my life over again somewhere else. "Doris, can we talk?"

Oh, it's Sydney.

"No. I am busy."

"I am sorry for the last night. I just- I–"

"Hooked up with Jacob and left me there with a bunch of junkies."

"How do I make it up to you? I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. Just don't do that again."

It is an English class. The class always passes fast because I can talk and talk. Teacher doesn't care.

Walking into the classroom, the first person I notice was Leon. Weirdly, I feel comfort seeing his face. I sit in my seat and I prepare books for the class.

I feel his presence coming closer behind me, and he whispered, "Do you remember what happened last night?"

I breathe in and out, "I don't wanna talk about it, asshole! Remember, we aren't talking."

Teacher walked in, but he still kept talking. "So, you remember."

"I remember what happened in the lake and then I drank beer and, umm– and I am not sure what happened next. I think I woke up in my bed."