You Know (C.C / You)

twenty-three

The next morning, which was a Saturday, Reese ignored me. If she saw me in the living-room or kitchen, she'd simply walk by me, get what she needed, and returned to her room. I was now sitting on my bed, staring at the wall, my back against the headboard.

I sighed when I heard a knock at the door. I got up, running a hand through my hair as I walked to the door. I opened it, then smiled at who I saw.

"Hey Mila," I greeted, letting her in. "You walk here?"

"Nah," she shook her head, holding up some car-keys. "Borrowing my Mom's car. She feels bad about everything, so she's sharing it."

I nodded and closed the door, "Well, there's a perk."

Camila laughed, then glanced at Reese's room, "How's everything?"

I sighed again, walking to my room with Camila following me, "She's still upset. I'm just giving her her space."

"Have you seen or talked to Lauren?" Camila asked, sitting on my bed.

I shook my head, "No. I'm scared to see how badly her face looks. I feel really bad, but then again, I don't, you know?"

Camila nodded as I sat next to her, "I guess I understand. Like, when I ate Dinah's leftover pizza one time, she was mad at me, and I felt bad, but then again, it tasted so good."

I laughed at the comparison, "How long was Dinah mad at you for?"

Camila shrugged, "A day or two. Nobody can stay mad at me," she flipped her hair, grinning. "I mean, I'm fabulous."

I chuckled, pressing a kiss onto her lips, "That, you are."

•

It was Sunday, and Reese still wasn't talking to me. Camila had gone home, and I hadn't seen Lauren yet either. I was now making some eggs and bacon for us. Soon, I heard Reese come out of her room, just as I finished making the bacon.

"Hey," I said. "How'd you sleep?" I sat two plates down on the table.

"Fine," she muttered, sitting down. I put some eggs and some bacon on her plate.

"Reese," I sighed as I sat down. "Can we talk, please?"

"What is there to talk about?" she questioned.

"Reese, damnit," I sighed again. "I'm sorry that I beat Lauren up or whatever. But you gotta understand - you're only a freshman - "

"About to be a Sophomore," she interrupted.

"And Lauren is about to graduate high school!" I exclaimed. "You have to understand why that could set me off, okay? You're my little sister, and I care about you,"

Reese sighed, looking up and locking eyes with me, "Y/N. Just give me time. I'll be fine, okay?"

I frowned, but reluctantly nodded, "Okay. Is there anything I can do for you, though?"

She was quiet for a moment, but then nodded, "Go apologize to Lauren again."

I sighed, for the hundredth time today.

•

I stepped outside onto the porch. It was Sunday afternoon, around six o'clock, the sun was just setting and the sky was a mixture of pink and orange.

I looked at Lauren's house, then began to walk over there. Once I was in front of the door, I bit my lip and knocked. A few minutes later, the door opened, revealing Lauren, in sweatpants, a t-shirt, and her hair tied up. My eyes immediately went to the black eye, then the cut above her eyebrow.

"Fuck," I mumbled. "I am - so, so sorry."

Lauren leaned against the doorway, arms now crossed, "What do you want?"

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, "I came to apologize - again. Listen, Lauren, I know violence is never answer - trust me, but something just snapped - "

"Whatever, Y/N," she scoffed. "Listen. I'm sorry for sleeping with your sister, but she started the kiss, she gave me her virginity, I didn't take it. And - don't worry, I'll still keep your fucking secret, only because I care about Reese."

I stared at Lauren, "When I said there was someone out there for you, Lauren, I didn't mean my sister," I murmured. "You gotta understand, she's only a freshman - "

"Yeah, I get that," Lauren scowled. "That's like the hundredth time you said that. But Reese is a big girl, and she can take care of herself."

I decided not to argue back, and just nod, "Okay. Goodnight, Lauren."

"Night," she slammed the door in my face, leaving me on her front porch.

I let out a long breath, then walked back over to my house. I swallowed as I walked inside, seeing Reese sitting on the couch.

"How'd it go?" she asked once she heard the front door close.

"Well, I'm pretty sure Lauren hates me," I lightly chuckled, then looked at Reese. "Do you like her, Reese? As in, more than a friend."

Reese blushed, and she shrugged, "I mean - I don't know."

"You did just sleep with her," I mentioned. "So I'm guessing she means something to you."

Reese nodded, "I guess. I don't know. I'm confused about it all."

"Okay," I softly said. "If you need anything, let me know, okay?"

"Okay," Reese said, and I gave her a small smile before walking to my room. "Hey Y/N?"

I paused and turned around, locking eyes with Reese, "Yeah?"

"I love you,"

I smiled, "I love you too, kiddo."

•

Lauren sat on her bed, eyes shut as her back rested against the headboard. Music played softly in the background.

She got up and walked to her mirror. She stared at herself, staring at the black eye, then the cut above her eyebrow. She wondered what people would say about it tomorrow at school, about the rumors they'll come up with. Y/N has a cut on her lip, so maybe they'll connect the dots.

Lauren sighed, her mind flashing back to her and Reese in bed, peacefully sleeping and cuddling, then Y/N coming out of nowhere and starting to hit her. She felt bitterness in her heart for Y/N, but then realized where she was coming from. And then she looked at it from Y/N's perspective, and imagined herself in that position. What if it was Taylor - if she was still alive? What if Taylor was sleeping with someone in a higher grade, how would she react? She'd probably do the same.

Lauren shook her head and ran a hand through her messy hair. She walked over to her window, which was directly next to Y/N's house. She noticed that her widow was across from Reese's. Reese had just walked into her room, and then spotted Lauren.

Lauren gave Reese a small smile, then shut the blinds.

•••

not edited

-Gracie