In Memoriam ✓

Chapter Two: Never Be The Same

Mallory

I opened my eyes to the next morning with a raging headache. My hangovers were usually mild on mornings after a night out, but today was an extreme exception. The bright sunlight bursting through my window was strong enough to make me wince terribly.

I sat up in bed groggily, thinking about brushing my teeth, when Kennedy dramatically threw my bedroom door open. The maniacal smile she was sporting could have petrified Medusa.

I screamed, dragging my duvet over my half-naked body. "What the hell, Kennedy? Who let you into the house?"

"Cleo said that you hide your spare key in the shoe drawer." Kennedy replied, kicking my door shut. "If I were you, I'd change its hiding spot."

I decided that I was too tired to care about my lack of clothes. I chucked my duvet onto the floor, padding in my underwear into my ensuite bathroom. Kennedy followed me, her caramel eyes examining the mess of makeup clinging to the skin around my eyelids. Thankfully, she didn't comment on it.

As I put toothpaste on my toothbrush, I rolled my eyes at her reflection. "Why am I still friends with you and Cleo?"

Kennedy gasped. "You're a freaking hypocrite. Everyone knows you and Cleo are basically attached at the hip. If someone tried to separate you, your skin would probably melt or something."

I stared at her, utterly confused. I never understand where Kennedy's sense of humor originated, but it was likely some crevice of hell. "I'm telling Cleo that you're banned from breaking into my house in the mornings. Second, it's the weekend. Waking up early should be a criminal offense." I complained.

"Your life is a criminal offense." Kennedy replied coolly, scrolling on her phone. I choked on my toothpaste, but Kennedy just glanced up to smirk at me. "Do you want to go get cupcakes? Cleo already agreed."

"When did you get the time to ask her?" I asked, because it was literally the butt-crack of dawn. I wasn't exaggerating.

"Five seconds ago, while you were abusing Cleo." Kennedy tapped her phone, sashaying out of the bathroom. I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to my appearance in the bathroom mirror.

I swore under my breath. My hair was stuck in messy, unrelenting waves, and I could still see smudges of mascara under my eyes, from the night before.

"I'll be out in a sec, Kenny, I need to change and shower. My aunt will be up in half an hour, if you need anything." I told my best friend, gently tracing my dark circles with my fingertips. I needed a new concealer, but it was so much effort to go shopping.

"Sounds good." Kennedy chirped from my bedroom. The girl was a ray of sunshine and a morning person. But Kennedy could be evil when I least expected it, too.

I hurried downstairs in ten minutes, and we left to walk to the local bakery, called Sweet Hearts. Cleo met us outside, looking bright and awake in her jeans and parka. I was left looking like I spent the night getting drunk... which I did.

When we got to our table, Cleo peeked at her phone. Her dark eyes crept up to meet Kennedy and I's. "I invited someone here. He's a mutual acquaintance of ours."

Kennedy paused, looking up at Cleo. "What's his name?"

"Reid. Is that okay with you guys?" Cleo's eyes moved from Kennedy's curious expression to mine.

My boyfriend Brent didn't like me hanging out with guys; but he was fine with my girl friendships. I sighed, hating myself for having to say this. "Brent's not okay with me being around guys our age."