Best Bitches

XVII: Alone

Christina

Even though there was a party going on, I still couldn't help but think of Craig. I lay in the dark, my mind still replaying last night. I slept with him for all the wrong reasons, and now I regret it. I curled into a ball, cuddling up to the bear Shawnee won me at the carnival. What will she think, when she finds out what went down with Craig and me?

On cue, my phone buzzed signaling a text. It was from Shawnee. "Come down. I'm outside," I read.

Sighing I rolled out of bed and slid out of my sweatpants and into shorts. I glanced at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, and I had bags under my eyes from lack of sleep last night, but it would have to do. I ran a hand through my tousled hair before slipping out of my room.

Everyone was so wrapped in what they were doing that they didn't even notice me slip out the front door. But I still couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed. I quickly hurried down the steps and nearly fell from running so fast.

Shawnee didn't see me when I first walked up. She was standing under one of the streetlights fixing her hair in one of the car windows. "Hey," I said, smiling effortlessly. I swear every time I saw her she put a smile on my face.

When she saw me, she lit up. Her smile faltered a bit when she noticed my rough appearance, but she didn't mention it. "I just had to see you," She smiled. Before I could respond, she captured my lips in a kiss. I wrapped my arms around her deepening the kiss temporarily losing myself in the moment. But then the reality of where we were sunk in.

I broke the kiss, a fearful expression replacing my content smile. "We can't do this here."

She hesitated for a moment, before lacing her fingers in mine. "Well, what about..." She trailed off, pulling me in the direction of her car. I smirked ready to follow her, but a voice calling my name stopped me.

I turned and for the first time, I noticed Craig standing on the steps leading to my apartment. His eyes widened with horror. "What's going on here?"

As I struggled to find my voice, his eyes searched mine for answers. When I didn't reply he repeated himself. This time he was yelling. "Christina explain yourself."

I looked at Shawnee, who was just as shocked at the situation as I was. "Who is that?" She asked, but I ignored her.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, refusing to meet Craig's gaze.

"Long enough," he growled with so much venom that I wondered if this was the same guy I had been dating for almost a year. I glanced up at him, and I wished I hadn't. His eyes were filled with so much anger and hurt. I wanted to reach out to him, but before I could he stormed off.

"Now I see..." Shawnee cried angrily, changing the situation completely. She was trying to be tough, but I could see how hurt she truly was. "...why you didn't want me coming over. It was because of him." She shook her head, fighting the tears.

I tried to reach for her, but she backed away. "You lied Christina," she frowned, before turning and running off. I listened to the soft echoes of her Nikes hitting the pavement, and it sunk in. I was alone.