countdown

seven

he had removed his arms from me, and instantly, i felt isolated. not even his kiss before walking away to get a refill could strengthen my stand.

one of the girls, her name i couldn't remember, began to speak to me, asking how long i had been with him.

i answered truthfully, and they all gasped.

the second or third day, they said, was the day he made a move.

the things they said he did made me nauseous.

i look at them all, staring at the football player who had been laughing loudly. he quiets his laugh when we make eye contact.

instantly, i excuse myself, saying that i had to get some air, and that the "fruit punch" that i had pretended to be drinking suddenly made me feel quite sick.

i wish i had stayed where i was, despite their taunting.