Summer [Completed]

Chapter Thirty-Eight

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Let me Explain pt. 1
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be·tray

verb

1. unintentionally reveal; be evidence of

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Imani POV

I wake up confused and alone on the floor.

It doesn't take me long to realize where I am, as I fumble for the light switch in the darkness.

I rub my sore neck and wince, looking at a drooling Ethan, sprawled haphazardly across the bed.

I must've fallen out of bed in my sleep last night.

Memories of last night flood my mind and guilt weighs heavily on my heart.

I glance at Ethan sleeping peacefully on the bed and frown before flicking off the light and slipping out of the room.

I close the door softly, wincing at how loud if sounds in the quiet.

When I turn around, the sight in front of me is pure disarray.

Plastic solo cups lie littered around the hallway, along with empty beer bottles and random articles of clothing.

It only gets the worse as I venture down the stairs, the harsh daylight calls to attention every piece of trash.

I almost step on a man passed out at the base of the stairs, and I have to hop over him to get down.

Kelly walks into the hallway carrying a black trash bag and a miserable expression.

When her makeup smudged eyes meet mine she enlivens. "There you are! I've been looking for you!"

She rushes over to me frantically.

"What's wrong?" I ask, alarmed.

"Mom and Dad are coming back early. Apparently Aunt Shannon said some things about mom and there was... an altercation-"

I raise my eyebrows in shock. "What? That's crazy!"

Kelly grabs my hand and grins, "Girl, I know. But that's not the point." She frowns, seriously again. "We gotta clean this shit up before they get back. So pick up a trash bag, we got work to do."

I nod, heading to the kitchen.

"Oh, Imani!" Kelly calls and I turn around.

"Yeah?"

"If you see Ethan, tell him he has to help too... He can't just bail on me like the last time." She grumbles, more to herself than to me.

"Okay," I laugh heading to the kitchen and grabbing a black bag.

I grab an empty cup hiding behind the spice rack.

One down, who knows how much to go.

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