You and Me

Chapter 11: Please Don't Kill Me. I'm A Ninja.

Lori’s POV

I had been up and sulking in my bed for a few hours when I heard a knock on my door. 

“Lori, honey?” my aunt called softly.  When I didn’t respond, she came inside anyway.  She was wearing a sundress; her makeup was exquisite.  She noticed me taking in her appearance and smiled sheepishly at me. 

“Date with Will?” I guessed. 

She nodded and began her explanation.  “I know you haven’t been feeling up to going out.  And when Will asked, I was going to say no.  But I haven’t been out in a while.  And I miss spending time with my boyfriend.  So, I thought…”  She started to ramble to I decided to interrupt.

“Auntie!  It’s fine.  Have fun!” I finished with pretend cheeriness.  She didn’t need to suffer just because I decided to date an asshole.  Cynthia seemed relieved at my response.  She pecked me on the cheek and left my bedroom.

I was alone.

Again.

FML.

* * *

I had just started to doze off when I heard voice.  Huh.  Aunt C isn’t home.  A neighbor, maybe?  The muffled whispers—male voices— were coming from outside my door.  It sounded like they were arguing.

At first I thought I was hallucinating.  And then I started to panic.  Burglars!  It has to be.  What do I do!?!?

Fight! I quickly jumped out of bed and armed myself with the object closest to me—my water bottle.  Great.  That would totally scare the thieves off.  Okay.  Option 2: Flight!  I quietly made my way to my closet, pried open the door, and carefully hid myself inside.

Just as I had secured my position, my bedroom door slowly creaked open.  “Lori?” a familiar voice called out.  But I’m not stupid.  The girl who leaves her hiding space always dies in the scary movies.  And that wasn’t going to be me.

I could hear footsteps coming closer.  Shit.  I held my breath when the footsteps faltered outside of the closet.  I squeezed my eyes shut.  As if closing my eyes will keep him from seeing me.  Idiot. 

And then the closet door opened.  “Please don’t kill me.  I’m a ninja,” I shrieked at the intruder, my eyes still shut tightly. 

A familiar chuckle greeted me as his cool breath fanned my face.  Why isn’t he killing me yet?? I was too frightened to move a muscle, so I stayed in my position.  I could feel the heat of a body come sit next to mine in the cramped closet.  And just as I was awaiting death, I felt soft lips brush against my own. 

My instincts immediately took over.  I wrapped my hands around his neck, trying to pull myself even closer to him.  Instead of pulling away, I leaned into the kiss—my mouth moving with Wes’s familiar one.  Wait, what?  Wes!?!?

My eyes flew opened, and I pushed myself further into the closet.  For the first time since our relationship ended, I was face to face with Wes, neither of us smiling. 

“Lori…,” he began as he reached out to me.

“What are you doing here!?” I demanded, my face contorted in anger.  “I thought Aunt Cynthia told you that I never wanted to see your face again!”  I had passed the stage where I cried for my misfortune.  Now, I was enraged at the boy who had labeled me an idiot and played tennis with my heart. 

“I came to see you, Lori.  To apologize.  I don’t even know what I did wrong!” He seemed to get more frustrated as he spoke.

“Ha!  Don’t try that with me!”  Just who did he think he was?  “I know all about your disgusting habits!”  Cool down, Lori.  “Playing with girls’ emotions!  Being a player!  Oh, excuse me.  Being a fucking asshole!”