The Good and The Bad (Complicated Love Story)

Chapter Three: As Usual

Dotty slowly opened her eyes immediately regretting the action. “Ugh,” she moaned. As Dotty slowly stirred she noticed her body felt like it had been hit by a bus. She took her time opening her eyes the second time. She looked around dazedly realizing she was on a couch. She got in a sitting position rubbing her head.

“It’s alive!”

“Ow! The yelling please!” Dotty said, angrily.

“Okay, Miss Grouchy Pants.” She looked over to see Cal smiling at her. He was holding a cup of water and what looked to be headache pills.

“Gimme!”

“Alright, alright. Mom has breakfast cooking if you’d like to join.” He said passing her the water and pills. Dotty looked down at herself and grimaced. Her shirt was sticky obviously from alcohol and her mouth felt disgusting. She looked at Cal like an idiot.

“Oh, come on. Like she hasn’t seen you in worse conditions!” He laughed. Cal was right. Cal had a pretty awesome mother and she was great to party with, not that you could ever keep up with her.

“I know, it’s just I haven’t seen her…”Dotty stopped and glanced at Cal. She let out a sigh. Dotty felt guilty for moving away like she did and not coming back to make visits. If only Cal hadn’t caused her to feel…no, Dotty thought, don’t think about that. She rose and headed toward the bathroom. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” She washed her face and grabbed one of the many extra toothbrushes Cal’s mother kept under the sink for situations like this. There were countless of times many kids needed them in this house, Dotty laughed, remembering the old times. She headed toward the kitchen feeling slightly better. Before she could sit down Cal’s mother made contact.

“Oh, I’ve missed you! Shame on you for not coming to visit!” Dotty looked down in embarrassment.

“I know, I’m sorry Mrs. Tanya, I’ve just been…busy.”

“I understand, moving into your place can be stressful but, you have my number girl!” Tanya. Tanya Becker. She was always very sweet to Dotty and Dotty loved her for it. Cal got his black hair and wild side from her, obviously. Boy was she wild. “So, Tanya continued, “how’s the apartment? How’s Scott?” She began filling four plates with food. Dotty looked at Cal who let out an aggravated cough. “Um…it’s really nice, great neighborhood and neighbors. Scott’s fine. Got a good job not long after we moved in.” Dotty answered sitting down. Tanya set out the plates and called for Steve. Steve was Tanya’s husband and Cal’s stepfather. He was also very sweet to Dotty and had the funniest jokes. “Oh, that’s great sweetie. And you? Any look with the job hunt?” She asked starting back up the conversation. “I don’t know if I’ll bother. I’m going to be super busy with school and my savings and grants should suffice.” Steve came down and said his hellos to everyone while giving Dotty a big hug, “Hey, kiddo, we’ve missed you around here.” Steve sat down and everyone fell into conversation. Dotty really missed being back in the small town of Langley. There were lots of people she wanted to visit but since coming back was even a surprise to her, it would have to wait.

“Cal?” Dotty started.

“Yeah?”

“I should probably head home now. Scott will be worried.” She stated. Her phone died sometime during the night and he had more than likely tried calling.

“Aw, well come give me a hug!” Tanya said, sadly.

“Thank you for breakfast. Bye, Mr. Steve. I’ll make a visit sooner this time.”

Cal followed her out to the main hall. “Hey, come up to my room first, I want to show you my new guitar.”

“Sweet, okay.”

Dotty entered his bedroom which hadn’t changed one bit. Nice artwork and musical instruments everywhere. Cal was in the corner pulling out what appeared to be an electrical guitar. “Didn’t take you for an electrical kind of guy. Thought acoustic was enough for you?” Dotty said with a giggle.

“Apparently acoustic got over me.” He said staring into Dotty’s eyes. He always told her she was like an acoustic guitar, sweet and simple, which was what he liked about her.

“What the hell Cal!” Dotty said turning for the door. Every time she thought their friendship was finally on track he had to say something out of line!

“Wait, I’m sorry Dotty…it’s just…we haven’t really talked since…”

“Since what? Since you tried to kiss me?”

 “I thought we…”

“Why can’t you get it through that head of y…” Cal lunged forward and crashed his lips upon Dotty’s. “I’ve missed you.” He said. Dotty’s arms hung limply beside her body. She didn’t know what to do and in that time of thinking Cal was pulling her closer. Dotty lost herself and all her senses. A warm tingling feeling started to build up in her lower body and she moaned. She quickly pulled away, red faced.

“How dare you?! You brought me here for this, didn’t you? You thought we may have a chance?! How could you do this to me?!” How could you confuse me like this!?” And with that Dotty ran downstairs and through the front door. She was running away. As usual.