My Own Worst Enemy

chapter twenty-three

Vanessa's point of view

"What's up?" I asked Cisco as we sat around the table, cups of coffee in front of us. "What did you do?"

"Alright so um, the night of Kim's party, I went to a bar because you know me. There's just too many paparazzi there and too many celebrities and it makes me anxious, in a bad way." He said and I nodded.

"This guy gave me drink, after drink, after drink, and I politely took them because he knew who I was. I didn't want to just decline and have him say he spent tons of money on drinks that I didn't even like drink." He told us and Calum shook his head.

"You dumbass."

"I know." Cisco said and messed with his coffee. "I-I haven't told anyone this. I tried to just forget about it but like whenever I look in a mirror or see a picture of myself I just feel so dirty." He said and I hummed.

"What happened?"

"I um... I was pissed drunk alright? I didn't know better. I could have sore he spiked something with a drug because from what I heard, I was completely out of it and acting like I was high. But um... we fucked behind the building." He said, taking a drink of his coffee.

"Was the other guy drunk?" I asked him and he shrugged. "Cause if he wasn't, it's rape. You're unable to give actual consent if you're drugged or drunk."

"I-I don't know, but I told Andy and she was pissed. I know it's wrong and I fucked up but I can't... I'm not... is it really my fault if I was drugged?" He asked and I shook my head.

"I mean, you're the one who took the drinks." Calum said and I nodded as I drank my coffee. "However, you didn't know they'd be spiked or whatever, so honestly, I don't think it is your fault."

"I feel so guilty though, it's my fault for taking drink after drink, right?" He asked and I nodded. "Then this is all my fault."

"It is not because if he didn't drug your drink then you wouldn't be here." I told him and Calum agreed. "How about this... I'll talk to Andy and try to get her to see that this isn't your fault, and you just try not to accept drinks from people you don't know." I said and he laughed.

"Sounds like a plan. I'm in." He said and I nodded as I took a drink of my coffee. "Is that your shirt Calum?" He asked, pointing at the one I'm wearing.

"No, it's Keath's I think." Calum said and I nodded. "Yeah. He's bigger than I am... shoulder and muscle wise. Unlike me, he works out nearly every day."

"Yeah, took it from him awhile back." I said and nodded. "I have a shoot today so I don't need to get all dolled up. I need to drink only coffee because eating a lot makes you bloat and this magazine company sells lies to teenage girls." I said and forced a smile. "Nobody's body looks the way it does in pictures and magazines, it's photoshopped lies and I wish girls knew that before they start trying to look like the girls on the magazines."

"Start your own magazine company where it's the truth. Get a nice camera and take candid photos of people so you get the truth rather than a lie." Cisco said and I shook my head.

"I'm busy enough as is." I said and he nodded as I yawned. "I had... one hour of sleep. I came home at six, and woke up at seven. I have to be at work by ten, it's almost nine. This is unfair."

"I know." Cisco said and nodded. "Keath and I guest star on some celebrities cooking show. We're supposed to be making some kind of chicken dinner." He told me and I nodded.

"Have fun burning yourself. You only use the microwave. You don't have to be smart to know that Andy cooks for you." I said and he nodded. "I gotta get ready. I think I'm just gonna throw on some jeans, maybe sleep a bit. There gonna do my makeup and hair over there."