Blue Ribbon

Chapter 1 - Black Ribbon

Lilly's POV

The aching in my skull ebbs and flows like a cold tide. Pain pulses through every nerve in my body and I moan as I feel both hot and cold. I've been laying in my bed for the last two hours, wide awake, eyes closed and totally dehydrated.

Now, I understand why they call it a hangover, for it feels as if the blackest of clouds are over my head with no intention of clearing until late afternoon.

I groan and wrap myself in the duvet, waves of nausea adding to my misery. My phone pings with a message after another, but I care less to check it.

My brain feels like it would swell beyond the capacity of my skull and now my dehydration is too obvious to ignore.

Perhaps some painkillers would help.

I raise my heavy eyelids half way only for them to fall shut. I groan as I raise them again and swing my bare feet to the cold floor.

I yawn and brush the hair covering my face away. My first instinct kicks me to check my phone but once my hand reach out for it, I notice the small box laying over the nightstand.

Confusion tightens my brows and I grab the little box in my hand. I open it and immediately, a smile flutters around my mouth. My fingers run over the silk material and a low sigh of contentment parts my lips.

It was a ribbon. A blue one.

I had the exact same one before, but I lost it. It was my favorite.

My gaze drifts to the note sticking to the box and I open it to read the few words scribbled there.

'Happy Birthday, Little Ribbon.'

At the nickname, my smile flatters and I scowl, realizing who the gift is from. He's the only one who calls me that, because he knows how much it annoys me. Ugh.

I leave them on my bed and I head to the bathroom, more than ready for a cool shower to rid me of last night's memories.

I change into a casual pant and shirt; then, I dry my hair. I take the blue ribbon laying over the bed and place it in the box with the others.

I hum as I try to choose the one most fitting for this day.

Hmm.

Black.

Yup. Because, I can finally say rest in peace to my imaginary relationship with Zack.

I take a few strands of my hair and tie the black ribbon around them into a bow. Giving myself a satisfied look in the mirror, I head downstairs.

And that's when it hits me.

I slept last night without caring to get rid of the alcohol bottles. And my parents are gonna be here any moment. Oh shit.

Panic settles over my chest and I run so fast, almost tripping over the stairs. I rush toward the room and stumble to a stop when I crash into someone's hard back.

My eyes flicker up as he turns around. He pulls back a fraction. A small smirk lifts one side of his full lips and I resist the urge to stare at them. Jeez.