The Rings

[ sixteen ]

I practically fell in the doorway of my apartment the next morning. Somehow, I could remember everything from last night and a few things especially: confessing my attraction to Niall, sleeping in Harry's bed and kissing Liam. Actually, in my defence, he kissed me.

After I woke up in Harry's bed, I made a run for the door, thankfully not bumping into anybody besides a sleeping Harry on the same sofa that I spent time lying with him, last night, which I remembered so vividly.

At least this time, I didn't have a constant fear on my mind that I had done something awful... At least I knew I had done something awful.

As I stumbled across the lounge, of my apartment, I almost fell over Charlotte as she sat in the kitchen doorway, a half empty bottle of whiskey.

"Did you have a good time?" She sneered, glowering at me like I had taken a toy from a small child. "Cause I did. I had my own party."

I was going to say no and apologise, but I felt my blood boiling at her abominable attitude. Seriously? It wasn't my problem that Harry preferred me.

"Stop being so.. ridiculous" I snapped, surprised that I was pronouncing my words so accurately, without messing up, in my hungover state. "Harry broke up with your sorry ass because you probably spoke in this manner to him, as well. That distasteful attitude isn't gaining you any more friends than the one you have."

She was dumbstruck at my insult, before she continued her hateful scowl. "One? Okay," she said, "who's that, then?"

"Me!" I retorted, continuing before she could question. "I'm the only person who still sticks around with you and puts up with your crap! Anyone else who you think is your friend is probably just acting friendly because it's the only way to stay on your happy side. I pity, their souls."

I stormed over her, as she still sat in the doorway. The second I reached my bedroom, I slammed the door open and froze. What was this...?

Simon was stood in my room, his arms folded and a glare plastered across his face. "Charlotte let me in," he snapped, before he gave me a chance to reply.

"Lottie!" Charlotte corrected him, from the other room. I scowled at her and kicked the door shut. I didn't want her eavesdropping.

"Simon," I sighed. "You need to stop acting like I'm your girlfriend, all the time, because I'm not, I'm sorry."

He looked surprised. " You think I fancy you?" He scoffed. He laughed. "You're like my sister, why the hell would I ever fancy you? But recently you haven't been my sister anyway."

I swallowed hard, unsure how to answer, wihtout saying something horribly wrong."Simon, I-".

"Save it," he growled, through gritted teeth. "I'm done with running after you."

He stared into my face, coldly as he went to exit. I tried to reach for him as he slammed his shoulder through me, but he shook me away and stormed from the apartment, stepping around Charlotte, who made eye contact with me for a few seconds.

She shook her head and tutted, bringing the bottle of alcohol to her lips and downing a mouthful. "That's what you get," she paused to slam the bottle down. "For being a two-faced bitch."

She also left the apartment, leaving me standing on the same spot from which I hadnt moved for the past few minutes.

I let out a shaky breath into the silence and slammed my back against the door frame. It stung my back, but it didn't sting as much as the quietude of the room.

My surroundings blurred with tears as I slid down to my knees and banged my head backwards against the wall in rage. Rage, because everything that had happened was caused by me.

Everything had gone wrong. My grades, my health, my friendships, my family and now Simon.

With no hope, I glanced up at the counter, my eyes focusing on one thing only, one object: Charlotte's whiskey.