The Bad Boy's Chain

Chapter Three, Part Two - Burn

*Hey guys! Just thought I'd warn you - the intro to the above music video is slightly explicit. Otherwise, it's a great song! It's called The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala" Enjoy! <3 <3 <3

There was a boy in my bed. 

He didn't snore, but all night Carlos hogged the mattress. I bit my lip, hesitating before smoothing the dark curl from his forehead. He had saved me, though this morning it didn't much feel like it. I pulled back the covers, inspecting my right ankle. I had bled through the bandage, onto the sheets. Carlos had done me a real solid last night, stepping in exactly when I needed him. If I hadn't tripped on my way out the cellar door, I would have made it out before that Cujo-looking German Shepherd sank his teeth in me.

Quietly, I hobbled my way from the bedroom. Water, aspirin, gauze-n-peroxide--in that order. On my way down the stairs I ran into mom. She was in her kimono, warming her face over her coffee mug.

"Did Jesse give Kerry a key or something? How does she get in?" Mom made a deal of rolling her eyes to the heavens. "And I'm starting to think she doesn't own any pants..." She breezed past, still shaking her head.

Downstairs, Kerry was digging in the cupboards, half-naked as per usual. Jesse's shirt barely covered the tops of her maddeningly skinny thighs. "Damnit, how can you people live like this! Where the hell are the coffee filters!"

"I dunno, Kerry. Have you tried looking at your house?" I didn't bother telling her there was no coffee machine. It was Starbucks or die at our house.

"I'm in a good mood, so I'm going to ignore your passive-aggressive bitchiness." Kerry inhaled, smiling, fresher than a stupid daisy.

I grabbed my water from the fridge. "Well, looks like my advice worked. You're welcome, by the way."

"I guess I should thank you." Kerry sidled closer, smiling in a way that made me want to gag in her face. And then punch her. "Last night..." She dropped her voice to a loud whisper. "We had the best... sex... ever."

I leaned forward, mocking her whisper with one of my own. "Well, next time, I would really appreciate... if you didn't do it in my car."

Kerry scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "What do you take me for, a hood rat? What makes you think we did it in your car? No-no, sweety, that would never happen."

I cleared my throat, backing towards the hallway. "Yeah, you're right--sorry! I was just, y'know... messing around." Damnit, Jesse...

Kerry stopped me before I could make my exit. "Shar?"

"Hmm?" I turned, bottom lip between my teeth, having trouble looking her in the eye.

Kerry scratched her elbow, fragile in a way I'd never seen her. "I--um, really did appreciate what you did for me, and Jessie. That party was... really cool." By far, it was the nicest thing she'd ever said to me, maybe the nicest thing she'd said to anyone. Kerry passed me by with a grateful smile. I blinked after her, my eyes drifting to the ceiling...

Two girls in one night?

Really, Jess?

REALLY???

I hobble-stomped my way upstairs, ready to smash his face with a pillow–when I remembered the boy sleeping in my bed. I grabbed the rest of my supplies then made my way back to my room. Carlos was awake, the heavenly glimpse of his golden, chiseled torso quickly disappearing as he slipped his t-shirt over his head.

"Hey." He smiled.

"Hey." I smiled back, closing the door behind me.

He nodded at the gauze in my hand. "Need some help with that?"