The Infamous Levi Privet

Six.

I wake up tucked tightly in my bed. A glass of water is beside my bed with a couple of painkillers. I can only assume that the setup is Finn's doing.

I grab the painkillers and knock them both back, taking an extra one from my personal stash for safe measure. I feel surprisingly healthy, but no one ever knows when the hangover will kick in.

I groan thinking of the events of last night. Letting Jake pick me up from work was a mistake. I realise that now. While it was all fun and games at the time I was so lucky Finn was at that party to stop me from taking it way too far.

I can't deny the attraction between Jake and I though. The stuff we drank and inhaled only amplified our obvious feelings for each other. Jake was making me fall hard and fast, saying and doing all the right things. I was hooked.

My phone buzzes on my bedside table. Rolling over to pick it up I find myself hoping it is a text from Jake.

Instead, it's Finn.

'Hope the heads feeling okay. Let me know if you want me to bring you up some breakfast :)'

I ignore it, I can get to that later. I have 2 more unread texts to check.

'Hai Levi, it's Matty. Got ur number off Jake u ok?'

'Hope u got home safe not missin much'

Both texts were from Matty. I smile reading them. Is she my first proper friend i've made?

Last night lingers on my mind like low-lying fog. I'm starting to feel caught up in the middle of two boys who i'm both starting to really care for. On one hand there's Jake. Tough boy but a sensitive soul. Hot as anything, popular. Knows how to have a good time. Incredible kisser. Jake is exciting. And then there is Finn.

Finn is the guy you'd take home to your parents. Would never hurt you, always kind. Will put you in front of himself. Cute, happy, easy-going. The banter with him flows and he makes me laugh. Not only is he attractive, but his personality is too.

This small-town is getting to me. The drama really isn't for me. I scroll through old photos on my phone to take me back to my old life. Pictures flash by of my friends and I wining and dining at five-star restaurants, dancing in VIP sections of the best clubs, holidaying on the coast, shopping for designer clothes, being invited to opening events...

"What am I doing here," I mutter.

I hear the patter of rain beginning to fall above. It's soothing and I feel cosy tucked up. It's nice to have some time to myself. I relax my muscles, soaking myself further into the bed. My train of thought relaxes and eases itself to thoughts of what is occupying the space underneath my bed. I don't try to fight it.

I prop myself up in my bed and reach my hand between my bedframe and floor, fishing out the first bottle from the box. I quickly scull back the last of my water in the glass and fill it up with whiskey.

I don't have a smidge of guilt nestled anywhere in my subconscious. This is all I desire right now. The whiskey will help me escape my upcoming hangover, help me get through the thought of staying in this small town filled with drama, help me forget about those two boys who seem to influence everything that happens to me here. I bring the glass to my lips and take a swig, closing my eyes in the process.

My door creaks open and my eyes fly open in panic. The whiskey bottle is lidless and perched on my bedside table. The glass is in my hand. I have been caught red-handed.

"I- I-I'm so sorry. I thought you were still asleep. I was just coming to check-" he registers the situation he has walked in on. I stay frozen. Unable to move, unable to talk. There is no defending myself here.