Persona |K Th

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                                     Peyton

Half my clothes are spread out on my bed. Dinner with Tae is tomorrow night and I can't figure out what to wear. It's not exactly a date. It's not NOT a date.

My phone dings. Shit! Shit! SHIT! It's a text from Bo...

I can't believe you would do me like this. You made me so upset. I know we're on a break but you don't have to act like a slut. He's just using you. I know the real you. Peyton, you know I'm the only guy that will ever love you.

I block him. Then I throw my phone on the other side of the bed, trying to get him far away from me. A break , my ass! I told him it was over. I can't get my breath. I'm shaking. I think I might throw up. Why did I ever think I'd be rid of him?

I need my BFF. I crawl over my clothes to my phone and FaceTime Cassie. Finally her sleep-mushed face appears.
"What the fuck, Peyton? It's 5 am in Japan."

"I'm sorry. I'm freaking out. Bo texted me and I'm ... just ... I just need you to talk some sense into me."

"There's no fucking way you're getting back with that asshole. You're not even gonna talk to him. I won't let you!"

" No! I don't want him anywhere near me. He texted me. "

"Out of the blue?"

"Not really. I saw him in the union yesterday. I was with that guy I'm tutoring. "

"Anddd...?"

"Tae acted like my boyfriend, to protect me from Bo."

"Why?! What did Bo do?"

"Nothing.. I mean.. Well, besides calling me ditzy, nothing really. "

"Why did you need protecting then?"

" Tae saw how upset I get when Bo turns up."

"Is that asshole still making you scared? So, what did your little nerd do exactly?"

" He ... LITERALLY.. transformed from a shy little geek into an absolute, hot af GQ model daddy! It was crazy. In like 5 seconds!!"

"Woahhh! Are you serious? Spill... NOW!!"

" He is so beautiful behind his glasses. His face is perfect. His lips... oh god I spend waaayyy too much time thinking about his lips. They've been on my mind since day 1."

" 0n a scale from cheek kiss to hot make out, rate these lips."

"Everywhere!!! I want his lips E VE RY WHERE !! Ya feel me?"

"Eeeeeee!! You've got it BAD, don't ya? I need a pic. Why haven't we stalked him on social yet?"

"Because... I'm not supposed to like him. He pays me to tutor him. He's not looking for a girlfriend. He's super focused on school. Besides, I can't make good decisions about boys. I haven't gotten myself together since Bo. Plus a thousand more reasons "

"What's his name?"

"Tae"

"Whole name, bitch!"

"No!"

"Spill it"

"Kim Taehyung"

"Korean huh? More challenging, but I will find him and know his favorite pet's name ...by tonight, since I have to work all day."

"Good luck with that. He doesn't do social media."

"Back to Bo. Ignore him. Block him. He will go away. Do NOT engage!! Promise me? If you think you might, call me immediately. Don't make me fly home and take your phone away."

"Am I crazy to be afraid of him?"

"Look. I think you should be cautious. He's been violent. He can be a jealous fuck. But don't live in fear. You are free of him. Don't let him come back!"

"Yes, O wise one! Seriously thank you!! Now tell me what to wear on my dinner date with Tae?"

"Wait..what?! Dinner date? I have one question. Did you get the V waxed? Tell the truth."

"I needed to anyway."

"Yasss! Peyton is getting some dick!"

"Shut up!! I just want to be prepared should the opportunity arise."

" So what are we talking? Study buddy with benefits? Is he boyfriend material?"

"He's shy. More boyfriend than fuck buddies. He's funny, and I feel safe with him. But after his acting gig for Bo, I'm thinking he could be a real fuckboy. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!!!"

"So THAT'S why you called me. Permission granted! Use a condom. And don't fall in love until I check him out. Bye!!"