book #1 | be with me | jenzie

18

chapter 18 - waking up

"i say that i'm curious,

but actually it's only because i care about you,"

[edited - 21.12.18]

k e n z i e

vodka actually tastes pretty good if you take small sips. however, if you managed to chug down four bottles straight, let me tell you, the next morning, it's gonna be pretty bad. terrible, actually.

the morning right after the party, i woke up with a horrible hangover. my whole head was throbbing and there were stars swarming all around my eyes. i looked around, in a daze. what the hell was i doing in lauren's room?

"i didn't mean to reject your apology, you know? i was so happy, but so mad at you for shouting at me," i mumbled, as johnny stared at me impassively.

"don't give me that face," i wagged my finger, but he was still unmoving. even in my drunk stupor, i could feel my heart drop.

"don't hate me," i whispered, grabbing the collar of his shirt, "i didn't mean it, and don't ignore me, okay?" i patted his head lightly. his hair was still mushed up when the girl had put her hands into it. i wrinkled my nose.

i did not do that. i clapped my hand to my mouth as i sat up straight, all sleep forgotten. what did i do? i buried my head in my hands. i was never going to face johnny again. i winced as a bolt of pain shot through my face. vodka and kenzie does not go well.

"i knew your head would hurt, that's why i bought some advil," a box appeared in front of my face, followed by a cup of water.

i turned around slowly, dreading the worst as i peeked through my fingers. there he was, sitting in his glory, johnny. i winced as i turned away, color flooding my cheeks. i couldn't even look at him in the eye.

"kenzie?"

i grimaced as i tugged the blanket up and covered myself in it, burying my face in my hands. i was so done for. i had never felt so embarrassed before.

it was barely a few seconds before the blanket was tugged off, exposing me to the cold air. i hugged my knees as i avoided looking at johnny.

"have this, hiding in bed will do you no good," johnny said again as he pulled me up, his fingers burning against my skin. i stared resolutely at his chest, blushing as he popped out one pill and pressed the cup to my lips.

"open your mouth,"

i parted my lips slowly, growing steadily redder as johnny put a pill on my tongue, his fingertips brushing against my parched lips. i should have used my lip balm, i sighed, before widening my eyes at what i just thought of. i must be crazy.

"why are you so red? are you having a fever?" johnny pressed the back of his palm against my forehead worriedly as i winced. all these concern was doing me no good.

"johnny," i grabbed his hand to stop him.

"hm?"

"did i...by any chance, do anything stupid yesterday night?" i bit my lip as i waited for his answer. the small smirk that rose onto his cheeks was all i needed.

"gosh, i must have acted pretty weirdly, i'm so dumb i swear," i buried my head in between my knees, "i'm sorry, don't mind me. i was drunk,"

"so you aren't forgiving me?" johnny raised an eyebrow.

"if i say sorry now, will you accept it?" johnny asked, as i sat up hurriedly.

"of course,"

"sorry, kenzie," i leaned closer. johnny froze as i squinted at him. i had this weird habit where i would move closer to that person and inspect his face when he apologised to check if he meant it. seeing that johnny was sincere, i grinned.

"it's okay, you are forgiven, stupid pride,"

i flushed red, "oh, that," i twisted my hands nervously, "you are forgiven," i looked down.

"by the way, the thing you were asking about," johnny scratched his head, "i'm not ready to tell you now, but i'll tell you one day, okay?" i nodded, both of us lapsing into silence.

the quiet stretched out between us uncomfortably. finally, i couldn't take it anymore.

"johnny, listen up. if i said anything inappropriate yesterday night, just forget it all, okay?" i said all these in a rush as i covered my face in embarrassment.

"hey, chill. you didn't do anything bad last night," johnny said in amusement as he slowly removed my hands from my face.

"thank god," i sighed in relief, "i toilet papered my yard last year while wearing my bikini when i was drunk," there was no reply for a few seconds, and i widened my eyes when i realised what i said.

"i would like to see that," johnny grinned, while i covered my face again. stupid, stupid mouth.

"well, good to know," a feminine voice grumbled from the floor on the other side of the bed as lauren rose into view, her hair a bird's nest.

"lauren, you were there!"

"thanks for being the most observing friend ever," lauren rolled her eyes as she picked herself up, nearly stumbling across her dresser on the way.

"by the way, i was woken up by both of you. all those lovey-doveyness," lauren shuddered as i blushed. johnny coughed awkwardly beside me.

"i'll...go change," i murmured as i ran after lauren, my face a burning mess.

. . .

"i'm never drinking again, gods, my head feels like it's splitting," lauren groaned, collapsing onto the toilet seat, while i stared at myself in shock.

the person in the mirror was definitely not me. dark eye bags. fizzy, lanky hair. empty eyes. gods, i was a mess. and i talked to johnny looking like this. i could feel my heart sink.

"lauren, do i look terrible?" i pointed to my face.

"yes, duh,"

"i talked to johnny like this! looking like this!" i buried my face in my hands once again. i seemed to be doing that a lot these few days.

"yeah, looking like this," lauren wrinkled her nose, getting into the shower room, "i'm taking a bath,"

"since you are showering, just a question, did johnny wash his hair yesterday night?"

(1060)

[do not be a ghost reader! vote, comment and share!]