Back to You

Chapter:4 Recklessness and Revelation

Anna blinked awake, confusion clouding her vision. "Where am I?" she mumbled, struggling to sit up.

"Oh, you're awake," Jaycee said, his voice gentle as he looked over at her.

Anna's eyes widened in realization. "Oh my, I fell asleep?"

"Yes," Jaycee confirmed. "You were pretty drunk."

Anna scrambled to check the time on her phone. "What time is it?"

"It's 6 AM," Jaycee replied.

"6 AM! Oh gosh!" Anna's panic was evident. She threw off the covers and tried to get up.

"Don't worry," Jaycee said quickly, stepping over to her. "I called Emily already. She'll come to pick you up."

Anna looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "How did you get her number?"

Jaycee looked sheepish. "I'm sorry. I used your phone to call her."

Anna waved it off, trying to brush away her embarrassment. "Oh, it's okay. Thank you for taking care of that."

Jaycee offered a comforting smile. "Ahm, do you want to eat something? Maybe some coffee?"

Anna nodded gratefully. "Yes, thank you."

As Jaycee prepared a simple breakfast, Anna sat quietly, feeling a wave of shame wash over her. The night's events were a blur, and she dreaded what she might have said or done. She hoped she hadn't confessed too much or made a fool of herself.

"Thank you, Emily, for everything and for these clothes," Anna said, her voice hoarse. She glanced down at the borrowed outfit, still feeling disoriented.

Emily raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "You smell like a drunk woman, which, let's be honest, is exactly what you were. Girl, what is happening to you?"

Anna's eyes widened. "What?"

"You're changing," Emily said, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity. "It's good that you're experiencing new things, and I know how much you like Jaycee. But still, be careful."

Anna nodded slowly. "I know."

"I'm happy for you, and I know you're happy too," Emily continued, her voice softening. "But still, be a good girl."

"Of course," Anna replied, though her mind was swirling with doubt.

The sound of the front door opening interrupted their conversation. Laura, Anna's mother, peeked into the room with a worried expression. "Honey, is that you?"

Anna stiffened, feeling the weight of her mother's gaze. "Mom..."

Laura's eyes fell on Anna's pale face and then on her midsection. "What happened to your stomach? Is it okay?"

Anna's confusion deepened. "Stomach?"

Emily quickly intervened, attempting to deflect. "Ah, she ate a lot of pizza last night, so..."

Laura's expression softened slightly but remained concerned. "Honey, don't do that again, okay? I'm so worried about you. Your father wanted to go there, but I stopped him."

Emily sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God..."

"What?" Laura asked, her eyes darting between the two.

"Ah, thank God that she's okay," Emily said hurriedly, her face flushing.

"I'm fine, Mom, don't worry," Anna said, forcing a smile.

As her mother returned to the kitchen, Anna's mind raced with a gnawing sense of unease. She felt like she had crossed an invisible line, and the guilt was suffocating. Was she becoming someone she didn't recognize? She had lied to her parents, neglected her studies, and allowed herself to get swept up in a night of reckless behavior.