Bad Reputation

Bad Reputation (16)

Chapter 16

The next morning I was woken by the sun, shining through the thin curtains hanging in front of the small window. I groaned and threw my hand over my eyes. Someone stirred in the bed beside me. I sat up in shock. Feeling a bit disoriented at first, I couldn’t quite figure out where I was.

I turned my head and saw Sofia lying next to me. She was still sleeping peacefully.

Last night came back to me quickly after that.

I was at Jayden’s house. Sofia had almost been raped by her boyfriend, Riley had been drunk at Jayden had helped me.

I got out of bed and looked around the small guest room I was in. What was I supposed to do? I really don’t think Jayden would like to see me in his house. Even if I helped one of his friends, I don’t think the invitation to spend the night extended to me. But Sofia had asked me to stay, right? Maybe he wouldn’t be so mad because he cared about her.

“Lissa?” Sofia asked me sleepily.

I glanced over at her.

“Just keep sleeping,” I told her.

I knew she would have a major hangover today. The longer she slept the better.

Sofia nodded slightly before she fell back against the pillows, fast asleep.

I didn’t want to disturb her so I decided to get up and walk out.

My feet still hurt after yesterday, so I left my shoes and went down the hall.

The living room was a mess. Red party cups were strewn all over the floor. Small pools of amber liquid were streaming out of said cups. The sofa I had occupied with Landon the night before had been turned over and the curtains had been ripped from the windows.

When had all this happened? I thought the party was nearing an end when I put Sofia to bed, but apparently not.

I stepped over the garbage and the floor and made my way into the kitchen.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized someone was sitting on a bar stool by the kitchen island. It was a woman, at least in her mid-forties. She was clutching a coffee cup in her hands and had her eyes closed. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a tight bun at the top of her head. She was dressed in light blue hospital scrubs.

When she heard my scuffling feet on the floor, her eyes shot open and her eyes met mine.

I had to hold in a gasp, because her eyes were an icy blue, so alike Jayden’s. This had to be his mother then.

Dark circles were under his eyes, and I had to wonder when she had gotten home. Riley had said she worked night shifts.

“Hello, there,” she said in a soft, warm voice.

“Uhm... Eh... Hi,” I mumbled averting my eyes.

I heard her soft laughter accompanied with a clunk as she set her mug down.

“Are you one of Jayden’s friends?” she asked.

“Uh… I-I wouldn’t say friend,” I replied hesitantly.

“I’m his mother, Deborah, but you can call me Debbie” she said, holding out hand.

I shuffled over to her and shook her hand.

“Melissa,” I said.

“Where you here at the party last night?” she asked, some of the warmth seeping out of her eyes.