Amiss

Chapter 14 - Ava

My stomach lurches in a way that's difficult to ignore, and my feet drag me up towards the bathroom. My eyelids feel swollen and heavy as I blink down at the porcelain toilet bowl. I sink to the floor, feeling the cold tiles press against my bare legs.

After a considerable amount of heaving, I crawl pitifully across the carpet towards the bedroom. Every inch of my body is aching, no punishing me for consuming a copious amount of alcohol. Clambering back onto the bed, I close my eyes and huff. Whose bright idea was it to drink...

The distant sound of my phone dinging with a message stirs me hours later. I roll over, groaning into my pillow. I've never felt this wretched before. Besides, I thought I was at Treys last night and have no memory of returning home. I must have been out of it; the sheets are rumpled at the end of the bed. Not to mention all my lovely new cushions are strewn across the room.

I rub at my throbbing temples, hoping to massage away the headache and stir up some memories. Instead, of course, I remember with disgust the photo, my phone call to Kyal's mum, which was only extra confirmation. Then once the depression had crept into my broken heart, I'd gone to see Trey hoping for a friendly face, but afterwards, it had become a haze of tears and alcohol. All I know is that man has seen me cry too much, and I'm pretty sure I owe him a lot of beer.

Brushing the sleep out of my swollen eyes with my sleeve, I notice that I'm wearing a jumper three sizes too large. I vaguely remember Trey lent me a jumper last night, and I sniff at it, getting further affirmation when I smell his body wash on the material. My stomach swirls at the scent but not in I'm going to be sick again way. Are they butterflies?

I touch my swollen lips as flashes of Trey biting them tear through my mind. What on earth? I wanted him so badly. But did any of it really happen, though?

I'm so confused. Last night feels like a faded dream. I stare at the ceiling while I try to separate dreams from reality. I decide I can't wait any longer trying to sift through my drunken mess of a night. I need to know what happened.

Picking up my phone from the bedside table, I'm surprised to see that it's 1 pm and there aren't any notifications. I thought I'd just heard it, but there hasn't been a peep from either Katy or Kyal. They're aware I know their cheating scum bags and are maintaining silence.

*Hey, Trey. How are you? Big night hey? Want to have some brunch?*

I type a message to Trey but pause before I hit send. What if I made things awkward now? I don't know what happened. I was blackout drunk after all. A flash of his concerned face hovers over me. Did I do something to upset him?

My phone rings in my hand, and I glance at the caller ID, seeing Letty's name.

"Hey, Letty," My voice comes out in a rasp thanks to my dry throat. I try swallowing, but my tongue feels like sandpaper.

"Hey hon, are you OK? You sound rough," Letty says with her usual chirpiness.

"You can say that again. I had an awful night. I'm sorry about calling you so late last night." I pick at a stray thread on Trey's jumper.

"It's all good; I only saw your missed calls now. What's up? Why did you have such a bad night?" I let out a long sigh at her kind question.

"Kyal's been cheating on me..." I tell her as my eyes tear up again. "with my best friend, Katy."

"What the fuck?" she squeals out, somehow louder than I did when I got Cindy's text message. "Oh my goodness, Ava! I feel awful; I was with this guy last night, and if I'd known, I would have ditched his scummy ass to see you! Do you want me to come over? I'll bring food, and you can vent while we stuff our faces?" Letty's offer is so sweet, and I can't refuse.