Chapter 5

The morning that followed was met with an excruciating headache.

I rolled over with a loud groan, reaching my hand towards my phone that was charging on the nightstand.

The time on it read 11:16am, and a few texts from a few of my friends appeared in the notifications.

Cody:
Where did you go?

Are you still crashing at my place?

Nvm, ur bro said you went home.

See you tomorrow.

Hannah:
Are you okay? You disappeared.

And another text from Jake who had sent a video of me last night taking tequila shots and accidentally squirting myself in the eye with a squeezed lemon.

God, that is just embarrassing.

I couldn’t be bothered responding at this point. All I wanted to do right now was to take something for this annoying headache, and to go and eat a nice and greasy breakfast to satiate my hangover.

“Dallas!” My brother called, barging into my bedroom. “Wake yo ass up!”

How am I this hungover and he seems to be perfectly fine?

Upon entering my bedroom, he looked over at me and his face fell into immediate shock. “What the hell happened to your face?” He asked, pointing to my eye.

I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion.

Oh shit…..

The memory of late last night hits me like a bullet train, causing me to feel nauseous and completely panicked.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

Fuck!

I kissed Grayson Scott….

And then he punched me in the face.

Getting punched in the face was not what I had expected to happen after my first kiss. Then again, I never in a million years expected that my first kiss would be with Grayson, either.

I shuddered just thinking about it.

“I ran into the door.” Was the best excuse I could come up with.

He raised an eyebrow. “You, ran into the door?” He queried in disbelief.

“Isn’t that what I just said?” I rolled my eyes, which only hurt.

I can’t believe Grayson punched me in the face.

He laughed. “You were so drunk last night, I almost believe that.”

You don’t need to remind me.

“Mom and dad went out and I was about to go and get some food, do you wanna come?” He wondered.

I sighed, my head still pounding with ache. “Is Grayson going to be there?”

“Nope, he’s busy.”

Well, I am hungry.

“Okay, fine. But you’re paying.” I said.

“Obviously, seeing as how you don’t have a job.” He jabbed.

“Why do I need a job when I have an older brother who has one?”

He laughed.

“I’m going to have a quick shower first.” I told him, walking towards my dresser. A nice and cold shower aught to alleviate some of this annoying hangover.

After showering and throwing on some clothes that I deemed worthy enough to wear out in public, we hopped into Mitchell’s car and headed out to get some breakfast.

A short drive later, though it felt like it took forever, we finally arrived and were now seated in a booth at the best diner in town. “What would you like today?” A middle aged woman with bright red hair asked the pair of us.

The sunlight beaming through the windows made it hard for me to keep my eyes open.

“I’ll have a stack of waffles.” Mitchell gave his order.

The lady jotted down the order then turned to me, a bright and unwavering customer service smile on her face.

“I’ll get the English breakfast with extra bacon.” I gave her my order, almost drooling at the thought of it.

“Is that all for today?”

“Could I also get an orange juice?” I added in the form of a question.

“Sure. Would you like anything to drink?” She turned to Mitchell.

“I’ll have a cola, thank you.” He pursed his lips.

“Alrighty, won’t be long now.” She took her leave.

I slumped my head down on the table top with a groan. God I hate hangovers.

“Did you have a good time last night?” Mitchell broke the silence before it could set in.

“Sorta? I can still taste tequila though.” I nearly puked just thinking about it.

Ugh.

“Grayson told me that you were lying down on the sidewalk, last night.” He laughed.

My insides twisted at the sound of his name. I wonder if he told Mitchell what else had happened. I mean, they are best friends, they practically tell each other everything. He’s probably already spread the word saying that I’m gay, which I am not. At least I don’t think I am.

Sure, I’ve found guys attractive before. Not in the sense that I would want to hook up with them, but in the sense that I knew that they were good looking. I’ve never truly saw myself as gay, though. Nor have I though of myself as strictly straight. I’ve barely even had a crush before.

“Did he say anything else?” I wondered, hoping, praying that he didn’t spill the beans about the most embarrassing thing I had ever done in my stupid life.

Mitchell looked up then shrugged. “Nope, he just said that he took you home then ended up going and hooking up with Nina-from-school.”

Okay, well thank god he didn’t mention my temporary lapse of judgement.

The last thing I need is for everyone to know I kissed my worst enemy.

~

Later on that day, Hannah had texted the group to hang out at her place. If my hangover hadn’t subsided, I would have probably just stayed home and nursed my head with an ice pack while watching Netflix’s newest releases.

“What happened to your face!?” Cody asked with worry, his eyes shot wide open.

I’d almost forgotten that a black eye had formed, I can only imagine my parents reaction when they return home.

“Oh my gosh!” Hannah gasped from her place in the living room area.

“Relax guys, it’s just a black eye.” I acted stoic.

“Did someone do that to you?” Cody practically seethed. He’s always been the overprotective best friend.

“No, I hit my head trying to sneak into my house last night.” I lied.

“You were pretty drunk.” Lucy acknowledged.

Don’t have to remind me.

“So, what are we doing?” I changed the subject, looking around the living room to my friends. “Where’s Jake?”

“He’s with Alicia.” Hannah dramatically shivered in disgust. To be fair, Alicia was a very unlikable person.

“Hannah’s just jealous.” Phillip jested.

“Shut up, Philadelphia!” Hannah reached forward and punched him in the arm.

“Ouch!” Phillip winced.

I couldn’t help but laugh at them.

“Oooh, Let’s watch a movie!” Lucy suggested.

“Yessss!” Hannah’s entire mood changed.

We all sat down, ready to watch whatever movie Hannah would pick. Knowing her, it would most likely be a movie that involved the typical cliches: girl meets guy, girl falls for said guy, romance ensues, something dramatic threatens to keep them apart, all to lead up to an eventual happy ending.

“What actually happened with your face?” Cody asked me in a whisper.

“What I said.”

“You little liar.” He bumped my arm with his.

“Oh my god!” Hannah squealed. “We are soooo going to watch the newest After movie!” Hannah demanded.

The rest of us let out a groan.

“My house, my rules.” Hannah stated, crossing her legs on the couch.

“Fine! But you better make some popcorn.” Cody said.

Halfway through the movie, Hannah gasped loudly from the other end of the couch.

“You’re the one who wanted to watch this, so get off of your phone!” Phillip groaned.

“Yeah, watch the damn movie!” Lucy also groaned.

I had almost fallen asleep, if I’m being totally honest. Not because the movie is boring, which it kind of was, but because I’m still tired.

I could totally go for a twelve hour nap.

“Nina Chen-Evans is dating Grayson Scott!?” She said in disbelief, her mouth agape.

Can I just go one day without hearing his stupid name?!

“Nobody cares about that asshole.” Cody spat.

Agreed.