Close As Lovers

Eighteen.

Song: How Not To- Dan and Shay

When I awoke the next day, the spot beside me was cold. I knew he couldn't have been gone for too long because the scent of his cologne still lingered on my pillow. Inhaling deeply, I held the pillow close, knowing it would probably be the last time I would ever be able to be that close to him.

I slowly rolled out of bed with a groan. My body ached everywhere, and when I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, I almost fainted from the horror. My face was a sickening white, the color of a moonbeam. Bruises littered most of my skin, and dark, black circles laid around my eyes like I had just lost a boxing match with Rocky Balboa. After taking a long, steaming shower, I slowly slid into my bra and underwear, and just as I was about to get dressed, my bathroom door opened, and Wes entered. As his eyes raked over all the bruises, he let out a sigh, his jaw ticking. From the way his shoulders strained, I could tell he was holding himself back from going after Andy.

"Let me help you," He grabbed my shirt, carefully sliding it over my head, and then he helped me step into my shorts. Once I was dressed, he sat me on the toilet seat and brushed my hair before drying it for me. When he finished, I stood, slowly wrapping my arms around him and burying my head in his chest. He brushed his fingers through my hair, resting his chin on top of my head. "You alright?"

"I'm just tired," I mumbled, closing my eyes, but what I really wanted to say was I miss you. Instead, I just took in the comfort of his embrace, trying to hold onto it for as long as I possibly could.

"Take it easy today then. I brought you some food if you're willing to eat," He held me for a couple minutes more and then he pulled away, scratching the back of his neck, which was something he always did when he was nervous. "Katie is downstairs waiting for me."

My heart dropped as I took a step away from him. "Oh."

Wes sighed and without meeting my eyes, he walked out of my room. Tears brimmed my eyes as I braided my hair, and then I made my way downstairs to see what Wes had brought. But when I reached the entryway to the kitchen, Katie's laughter stopped me in my tracks. Sighing, I decided to let it bother me too much and walked into the kitchen, but the sight I saw was enough to make me catch my breath throat as I clutched my chest.

Wes and Katie were sitting at the island, feeding each other strawberries as they laughed and flirted. His eyes were bright and filled with happiness, and a huge smile was plastered on Katie's face. I stood in the corner, watching as Wes tucked a loose piece of hair from her braid behind her ear.

"I love when you wear your hair like this," He whispered, and she giggled before pecking his lips. My eyes burned with tears. I knew those words. He had told me almost the same thing several months ago.

And that was when I knew his words hadn't meant a thing.

I quickly took my braid out, letting my hair lay loose around my shoulders, as I walked into the kitchen like nothing had ever happened and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. They grew silent when I walked in, and just as I was about to walk out, Katie snickered.

"Well, look who finally decided to be sociable," She teased, and I rolled my eyes as I tried to leave the kitchen. I was almost out of there when her next words drained all the color out of my face. "I heard you had quite the predicament with Andy last night. I honestly thought you were over him, but I should've known better. You were always obsessed."

As I slowly faced them, I saw Katie smirking, but Wes was staring at her in complete shock, as if it was the first time he was hearing about it. I held my arms at my sides, one clutching the water bottle tightly, and the other forming a fist as I glared at Katie, even though my whole body was shaking.