taste | e.d

four

"Ken, what the hell?"

I shake my head, trying to get rid of my drowsiness. "What?"

"You're obviously not wearing a bra because I can see that your nipples are hard. And there is a fuçking hickey on your collarbone."

My eyes widen in false surprise. "What?"

"Something tells me you didn't behave at that guy's place... Speaking of which, you never told me who he is," says Shannon.

"I just slept, ate breakfast, and showered, Shan," I say.

"How am I supposed to know you didn't do anything in the shower?" Shannon says, raising an eyebrow.

"Jesus, Shan. I'm... not ready for that, okay?" I say. I have never felt shame in that statement, but now I do.

"Why are we so different?" she asks.

"I don't know," I mutter.

Shannon and I have always been different in almost every single aspect. She's so much more extravagant, with her bright green eyes and light brown hair, and impressive curves. She's so confident and daring. She's never afraid to do anything.

But then there's me; timid, dull, unadventurous. My hair is long and brown. My physique is acceptable, with slight curves and a flat stomach resulting from the endless hours at the gym. The only interesting thing about me is the color of my eyes. A light brown with a hint of hazel when light hits it.

Jace used to say he loved my eyes. He said every time he looked into them he fell in love all over again.

I don't think I'll be able to think of my eyes in the same way again.

"Cuddle with me!" says Shannon, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I curl into a ball next to her in the blanket, shoving popcorn into my mouth as we watch the rest of the basketball game in silence.

•••

"Hey, Kenny, let's go get some beer. Get up," says Shannon.

"Shaaan," I mumble. "Whyyyyy?"

"We need to celebrate tonight. We got rid of a disease who we thought was harmless, and you're safe and sound with me," she says.

"But I don't want to get drunk," I say.

"Then what do you want to do? We have to do something. I'm not spending tonight just sitting on the couch with you. Let's go to a club."

"Great," I say, "I'd love to go dance in a cramped place with sweaty bodies and sex in the air."

"Let's go! Get loose, Kendall. You're not going to be twenty-one forever."

She's right, I guess. It's about time I break out of my shell.

"Fine. But what do I wear?"

•••

I pull down my red skirt so it reaches my knees, but when I stand straight again it inches up a little. My curves are more defined than ever and I don't think I have ever exposed my body in this sort of way. I wear a red top & skirt set, some skin of my stomach showing and my shoulders naked.