Animal

.:3:.

" ... I thought I was pregnant," Eleanor finished.  "That's what I meant to tell him that night at the party. Thank God I wasn't pregnant," she added, glancing quickly at me with a glint of hope in her eye, as if those words would provide me with any relief or comfort.

"Thank God," I agreed with ice in my voice. It was colder than I intended, and it lacked the sympathy she reached out for. I felt a sick sense of pride in myself that I was able to watch her slump back in disappointment. "Thank God my boyfriend didn't get my cousin pregnant."

Eleanor bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood, and I could see that she as very close to crying. After hearing the full story in detail, I felt sick to my stomach.

She started flirting with Tommy, and at first Tommy had rejected her. Then he returned the flirting with his own, accepting it wholeheartedly. It got worse and worse, and soon they began sleeping together. I figured that Tommy left my birthday party to answer Eleanor's goddamn booty call. I wasn't just angry, oh no. The feeling that was causing a burning in my chest and quick breaths wasn't anger I was feeling. I was livid.

This was so much worse than a two month dating spree between the two. It wasn't secret kisses, it wasn't sloppy promises, or secret meeting spots to watch the fucking stars. This was beyond forgivable, this was not something a girl should have to go through ever, nor should she feel the pain I was feeling currently. The bitter hatred towards my cousin was indescribable. The details she gave me were enough answers for my decision of what to do. I calmly stood up from the table and looked down at my cousin, who had the look that told me she was absolutely devastated.

"I shouldn't have asked," I told her quietly, "because I never thought I would feel hate for my own cousin. I never thought that you would do this to me. Ever since grandma died, you were my best friend. I never would think you'd betray me like you did."

"Kenzi!" She whispered, voice cracking. Then, reaching out for my hand, she broke our into sobs when I snatched it away. "P-please..."

I ignored her pleads and grabbed my bag, throwing money down for the drink I ordered as I turned to walk off. "Bye, Eleanor."

"You know, you're not the only one who loved him! You're not the only one who lost him that night in the accident, McKenzie. He told me he would do anything for me, even leave you. He promised me that I was his future, he even promised to marry me!" Her words were rapid and full of anger, sadness, and pain. "You—" she stopped when I whipped around.

"Don't you dare tell me you loved him. Don't you even bring him into this. This conversation was between you and I, about the things you did, not the things he did, Eleanor," I snarled, hating to make a scene with people around. She apparently didn't like being stared at, as she sat down. I whipped back around again and stormed out of the café.

One thing nagged and taunted me the entire drive home.

"He promised me that I was his future!"

-:-

I dropped my car and house keys on the island when I moped into the kitchen, my feet shuffling to the refrigerator without a thought. My mind was racing with the words of my cousin, sending me into a decision of needing alcohol.

I was at home, my parents are gone (as they always were anyways), so a beer or two wouldn't harm me in the long run. I jerked the door open and bent down, eyes scanning the labels of various tubs and cans of food and drink. I don't know why I was procrastinating when I knew the beer was on the lowest shelf of the door. I reached out to grab it, looking at the beckoning bottle while it sat there.