~Why Stop Now

Uncomfortable

I'm not comfortable
No, I just can't seem to feel at all
I'm not comfortable
So, I'll take another pharmaceutical
'Cause I'm uncomfortable
I'm uncomfortable
Girl, I'm uncomfortable
I won't run from you
I'm uncomfortable
Yeah, I'm uncomfortable
No, no, no

Andi's POV

I'm sitting in the car with Mitchel, Clinton, and Christian on our way to my apartment. To Angeline.

My nerves were all over the place. She's my friend. So why am I nervous? Maybe because I finally understand what she's capable of. I'm not sure. I bite my lip—nervous habit.

In the backseat, Mitchel placed his hand gently over mine. "It's okay. Calm down. No need to be nervous," he said with a soft smile. His voice calmed some of my nerves. Then he turned his attention back to the window.

I admired him. He almost got killed by Angeline, and yet here he was—driving back to face her. Brave didn't even cover it.

I glanced toward the front and noticed Christian's eyes watching me in the rearview mirror. I looked away quickly, digging through my purse for something—anything—to avoid the tension. I pulled out my phone, and just like that, Angeline's call from earlier echoed in my mind.

That Morning

"It's Angeline," I had said, staring down at the screen.

"Well answer it," Chris said, mid-sip of his coffee.

I pressed the green button and put it on speaker like Mitchel had mouthed.

"Hey Andi," Angeline's voice rang out, sweet and casual.

"Oh hey, Ang. What's up?"

"Nothing. Just wondering when you're coming back from your friend's. How's she doing?"

I swallowed. "Uhm... food poisoning. She just needed rest."

"Damn, ain't that a bitch. Oh! Guess who I contacted?" she said, tone laced with a smirk.

My stomach dropped. I already didn't want to know.

"Who?"

"Ghost."

The name alone knocked the air out of my lungs. I opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water. Clint nudged me under the table, reminding me to stay calm. I cleared my throat.

"Ghost? Why? We promised to leave him in the past—why would you—"

"Because I'm hurting, okay?! I'm hurting. Something you'll never understand. You're beautiful. Men throw themselves at you. Your life is easy!"

A loud crash echoed through the phone.

"I don't have it easy," I said softly. "A pretty face gets me nowhere, Ang. You of all people should know that."

"Oh, I know." She huffed. "By the way, I found those pills of yours."

That made me stand up. "Ang, what are you doing with those? Do you even know what they—"

"Yes, I know. Which is why I'm going to use them. Oh, and sorry best friend—I borrowed a thousand from your bank account. Thought you should know beforehand."

I blinked. "You what?"

"You KNOW what that money was for! What the fuck, Angeline!?"

She sighed. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. Lotus can wait another year or so."

"What did you need the money for?" I shouldn't have asked, but I had to know.

She didn't answer right away.

"Angeline. Lie to me and I swear to God—"

"Okay, okay. I'm using it for Smiley," she mumbled.

I stared at my phone in disbelief. Then I hung up.

The room went silent.

"Andi?"

"I need to go," I whispered, turning to the guys. "I need to go now."

The urgency in my voice sent them into motion.

"I'll get my keys," Chris said.

"Mitch! Where's my Dumbo boxers?!" Clint yelled from his room.

"You think I know, you Aussie cunt?!" Mitch roared back.

Chris stood in the hallway between them, hands raised like a referee. "If you bitches don't hurry up, I'm having chai tea and soybeans without you hoes. Yay, gluten-free!"

Two pillows smacked him at once. Mitch and Clint emerged, fully dressed and still bickering. Chris rolled his eyes and strutted off. "Y'all just mad I'm queen."

If I weren't fuming, I would've laughed.

I stuffed last night's clothes into a bag and headed downstairs.

On the way down, I noticed their outfits. Mitch in ripped black jeans and an oversized checkered sweater. Clint in a pill bottle graphic sweater, blue skinny jeans, and white Converse. Chris in ripped jeans, a tucked black tee, and checkered Vans with sunglasses holding his waves back.

I looked down at myself—high-waisted black shorts, a long-sleeved yellow shirt, black thigh-high socks, and white high-tops.

Outdone.

Ben popped out from behind the bar. "Snack for the road?"

Chris darted toward the kitchen. Mitch looked at me. I shrugged and followed. Clint was right behind.

Now

Here I am. Nervous as hell. I hope she didn't do anything stupid.

My subconscious whispered: She just wanted attention.

Could that be true? Could Angeline just be spiraling because she's lonely?

"We're here," Clint's voice broke through my thoughts.

I climbed out, clutching my bag. Then I saw something in the window's reflection—Onai's car.

"Fuck," I muttered.

"What's wrong?" Mitch asked, stepping beside me.

"I'm going in alone. Can you guys wait here?"

"No way," Chris said from the car. "It's too dangerous."

"It'll be worse if she sees me with you guys and finds out I lied."

"We'll tell her we picked you up," Mitch offered.

"Yeah, because that won't make things worse." I sighed. "Just give me twenty minutes."

"Fifteen," he countered.

"Fine. Fifteen. Then come in."

"Fine. But I'm counting."

I turned toward the stairs, nerves crawling up my spine.

As I reached for the door, it swung open.

"Andi. Long time no see."

{My fingers hurt, enjoy//🔮}
Song: Uncomfortable- Chase Atlantic
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