One Night Partying

Chapter 3

*Picture of Jack ------------>

Charli's POV

I woke up at 5:30 am. Mom usually wakes me up at 6:00. I had 30 minutes. I put lipstick over my lips to disguise the bruising. I used a hell of a lot of foundation to cover the cuts and bruises on my face. Hopefully she wouldn't look at me too hard. I climbed back into bed at 5:47. Thirteen minutes to fake sleep.

"Charli?" My mom called from the kitchen. "Charli, get up!"

I groaned, about to say, "Coming Mom!", when I remembered.

The night before. Marcus. Jack. Marcus's lips.

I screamed. I had to do something to stop the thoughts. I wanted help. Correction, I needed help. But I knew I couldn't get any. "Charli?"

I heard my mom running up the stairs, heard her open my door and burst in. "God, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"Uhhh....," a tear slid down my cheek, "Uhh....just...just nightmare about Dad." I lied.

My mom burst into to tears. God, I felt terrible for bringing up Dad like that, but it was the only thing I could think of that would make me cry, except...

"Aww, honey come here," My mom said, pulling me into her hug.

I let myself cry, pretending the tears were for dad instead of me.  When we finally broke apart, mom rubbed the tears from my cheeks like she used to when I was little. "Mom, I don't feel good, can I stay home from school?"

That at least was the truth. "I guess...do you feel sick?" Mom asked.

"Kinda, headache." I lied.

"Okay, well take an Advil; do you want me to stay home with you?"

"Nah, that’s okay, I'll just watch cheesy romance movies and drink Ginger-Ale."

"Okay, bye sweetie, I gotta go to work," My mom stood up, and left.

I heard her close the front door behind her, start her car and peel out of the driveway. As soon as I was sure mom had left, I collapsed on my bed sobbing. How could this have happened? Why couldn't I have been sober? Why couldn't I have defended myself? I know what everyone says when you get raped. They say, "It wasn't your fault." Well, damn it, it sure the hell fells like it is. God, why didn't I just stay home that night! It's my fault! It’s my fault! IT'S MY FUCKING FAULT!

My cell phone rang. The caller idea was UNKNOWN. I picked it up and answered, trying to disguise my shaking voice. "H...hello?"

"Charli? Hi, it's...ummmm, it's Jack."

"Oh." I said.

"Ya," I heard the voice on the other end say, "So...are you okay? What happened last night?"

"Ahh......how the hell did you get my phone number?" I answered using bluntness to mask my fear.

"Oh, Marcus gave it to me." Jack said dismissively.

Shit. Marcus had my number. Had to change it. Now.  "Umm, oh, I gotta go, I see my dad's ghost, bye Jack."

I hung up. My Dad's ghost? Puh-lease. I ran down stairs and looked up TELUS in the phone book. Time to get a new number.

Jack's POV

Her Dad's Ghost?  Did she still hate me that much about those earrings? Sure I felt crappy about it, but still. I wanted to know what was wrong with Charli. I dialed her number. "This number could not be completed as dialed." That programmed voice said.

I hung up. Huh. I had just called her. Maybe it was a wrong number. I tried again. The same. "Damn." I muttered under my breath.

I felt something land on my lap. I looked down, a note from Gillian. What was it with chicks and notes? I opened it. It was hastily scrawled.

Shoulda been there last night. Marcus and I had a great time :)

I scowled, a growl welling in my throat. Damn it Gillian! I thought.

God, she fucking slept with him. Not that I expected any better. English ended and I grabbed my bag. "Hey Marcus!" I called.

"Ya?" He turned around.

I drew back my fist and punched him in the face. He stumbled back, blood gushing from his nose. "WHAT THE FUCK JACK?" He screamed, cradling his nose with his hand.

"Stay away from my girl." I growled.

At that moment Gillian came out of the classroom with her slutty friends. "Oh my god!" She shrieked, running to Marcus.

"Marcy are you okay?" she cooed, dabbing at his nose with a Kleenex from her purse.

He grunted. Marcy? You have got to be kidding me. "What the hell were you doing?" Gillian yelled at me, pushing at my chest. I moved back an inch. "Gill, it's over. Go screw 'Marcy' again."

I stormed off, oblivious to Gillian's protests.