I woke up shivering, the air conditioning in the room blasting. Whose room am I in? I felt around for my phone and felt a hairy leg. My eyes shot open and I sat up. Who was that? As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw two bodies beside me, one girl and one boy. I instantly recognized them as Derrick and Allyson. Thank God it wasn't any random guy from last night, I thought. My pulse quickened as I remembered Liam. The thought of waking up next to him left my mouth dry.
My hands flew to my chest and the huge hickey was still there. I wonder how long it would take to hide this with concealer?
Not wanting to wake up my friends, I quietly made my way out of bed. After finding my shoes I headed downstairs, ready to clean the house. I found some people passed out on the stairs, in the living room and on the lawn. I huffed out a breath as I went to the hardest (and most disgusting) place to clean: the bathroom.
I started with the one downstairs, waking up a junkie that passed out in front of the toilet bowl. The smell of bile conquered the bathroom and made me want to stop cleaning. But being the good friend of Derrick, I finished cleaning the bathroom without a single drop of vomit sticking to my clothes or body.
I took my time inhaling the (maybe not) fresh and bile-free air outside the bathroom before heading upstairs to clean the other bathroom. When I got there, I heard the faucet running. Some idiot had left the tap open a- Oh. When I rushed in, I saw a guy- a very muscular guy- leaning on the sink and washing his chest. He must have heard me barge in because he turned the sink off and looked back.
“Oh it's you,” Liam said, turning to the front again and washing his chest. I didn't know what to say. Hi? “I'll leave as soon as I'm done cleaning the vomit off my chest.” he said, sensing my awkwardness. I wanted to tell him to not leave, that it's fine. But I stopped myself. Why would I want him to stay? Where the fuck am I getting all these thoughts? “Uh, sure. Whatever you want.” I replied, making my way out.
I half expected him to call me back or something, since he just said he was going to take away my virginity the previous night. I cringed at the thought. Was he sober when he said that? My heart swelled when I realized that he may have been drunk, and probably didn't remember any of it.
I waited outside the door so I could clean the washroom. Liam came out wiping his shirt on his chest, a blank look on his face. “Don't worry, I didn't make much of a mess in the room.” he said, smirking a little. Yeah right. The look on his face says otherwise. “I'll believe it when I come in.” I said, smiling a little. Why the fuck are you smiling? My subconscious asked me.
“Oh, I'm sure you will,” Liam answered, a teasing in his tone. I made my way in, only to be stopped by Liam calling my name. I tried to pretend that I didn't hear him, but I turned my head in an instinct. “What?” I asked. “Are you a virgin?” He asked, his voice suddenly louder to me. “Why are you asking that?” I hissed. “Is it wrong to ask?” Liam asked. He leaned down, looked left and right, before whispering, “Besides, it's not like there's anyone to hear your answer.” His eyes looked mischievous. “I am.” I answered, heading in. “You're what?” he asked, playing dumb. “A virgin. I'm a virgin, okay?” I replied, irritated.
“Hm.” Liam said, pouting his lips in a thoughtful way. Those pink lips that I'd very much want to kiss right now. I shook my head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. “Now what?” I asked. He obviously wants me to ask what he's thinking about. “Nothing. Just making sure.” he answered. I scoffed. “You don't believe I'm a virgin?” I told him. He shrugged. “I'll believe it when I come in.” He said, winking. My stomach tied into knots as he did the small gesture, making such a big impact that I almost ignored his last statement.
Almost.
“Oh my god you are a pervert.” I said, groaning. “Not really.” he said, grinning and going near me. When he was close, too close for my personal liking, I tried to step away but my back hit the door post. “Stay away from me.” I said, pushing him back, my hands on his chest. But he pushed harder. “I can't.” he breathed. “What?” I asked. “I can't stay away. No matter what you do, I'm just gonna keep coming back.” He said.
He leaned in to give me a kiss. My eyes slowly closed and I inched closer. I felt something soft and comfortable on my forehead, and after I opened my eyes, I saw Liam walking away.
Did he just give me a kiss on my forehead? How insane is that? That is so out of his character. But then again, I don't really know him.
- - - - -
Allyson and Derrick woke up shortly after I cleaned the whole house. I told them I'd take a bath in my house and that I had to go shopping with Katy.
As soon as I closed the front door of my house, I heard my parents in the dining room. “Get in here, Emily.” my dad called. I rolled but eyes but obliged to my father's request. “What.” I said, taking an apple from the fruit basket and washing it. “Where did you go last night, young lady?” Dad barked. “At Derrick's. I told you about this already three weeks ago.” I answered. My mom remained silent, sipping her coffee. “What did you do at Derrick's?” He said. “Sleepover.” I answered shortly, biting off my apple.
“Don't think I don't know that you had a teenage party in his house!” My dad bellowed. Why does he care? “Why do you care, huh? It's not like you gave a shit about my life the past few years! You leave us, and then you come back after years and ever since you came back all you and mom have been doing is argue and we are so sick of it!” I shouted. Katy came in, completely oblivious to the previous screaming match. I stomped past her, running up the stairs to my room.
I locked the door and threw myself on the bed, sighing. God, can dads be more fucked up than this? Someone knocked on my door. “Leave me alone.” I screamed, throwing a pillow at the door. The other side was quiet. Good. He should kn- “Honey, open the door.” My mom said. I groaned, but opened the door. I twisted the knob and brought myself back to the bed.
“Honey-” my mom started, but I raised my hand up, signaling her to stop. “Don't. Don't try to defend him. I know he's your husband but he's my dad. He can't just leave us for six years with no note, not even a 'Gone away, to be back in six years', and come back and expect us to welcome him with open arms.” I said. My mom's lip twitched. “Actually, I was going to tell you that you did a great job of telling your father his place in our lives.” she said, grinning. I let out a breath and chuckled.
“Look, we'll be going to the reception of your uncle Tristan's wedding in a few hours. Get yourself prepared, okay?” my mom said, giving my head a kiss and leaving me at peace.
