MEGHAN
I don't know why I accepted Tiffany's invitation. Our first meeting wasn't exactly pleasant. Sure, she acted all sweet and friendly afterward, but her initial greeting of me was cold, especially when she saw me sitting near Adrian.
I suppose that's understandable, considering she was his girlfriend. I hadn't thought to ask if he had a girlfriend.
"A party sounds great. It'll give you a chance to make some new friends," mom said.
I nodded in agreement.
"Besides, Adrian will be there, so you won't be alone," she added.
I wasn't so sure about that. It seems that Adrian hated me, so he would be less than thrilled to have me around. He did not like it when I talked to his friends.
"I don't think he likes me anymore," I laughed and tried to make it out to be a joke but deep inside, I knew it was the truth.
"Don't be silly. Why wouldn't he like you? You guys were so close before you moved out! I told you, he is going through something, so he was just in a bad mood. It'll pass, and then you two will be best friends again. You will see," mom smiled reassuringly.
"You mentioned this before. What exactly is he going through?" I asked her directly. He seemed fine to me, laughing and hanging out with his friends.
"He had been down in the dumps this past year, but he wouldn't tell us why. Steve and I think he is depressed." Mom shook her head.
Depressed? Adrian? He didn't seem like the type. Was he that upset about the things I said to him a year ago? No, that can't be it.
"What was he so depressed about?"
"He won't tell us. He was falling behind in school and refused to go out with his friends. Even when a girl tried to visit him, he wouldn't see her."
She must be talking about Tiffany. "His girlfriend?" I asked.
"I wouldn't say that since he never bothered introducing her to us." Mom shrugged.
I didn't ask her any more questions and went back to my room. The party was in a few hours, so I needed to decide what to wear and how to get there. Tiffany told me to ride with Adrian, but he just left me behind the last time he was asked, so I didn't know I trusted him anymore.
A soft knock on my door startled me.
"It's open!"
I was surprised to see Adrian walk in. I didn't think he ever wanted to speak to me again.
"You have a minute?" he asked dryly.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"I don't want you to come to the party, so I think you should sit this one out. Make some excuse and tell everyone you are feeling sick or something," he said.
The tone of his voice indicated that he was making the decision for me and didn't care about my opinion. What an arrogant asshole!
"Are you for real? You can't tell me what to do. Tiffany invited me, so I am going," I snapped.
He walked inside and slammed the door behind him. "Tiffany did that out of pity. Do you really think she likes you? Well, newsflash, Meg, no one really cares whether you show up, so save us both the embarrassment and stay home."
"And who are you to tell me what I can or cannot do?" I countered. Seriously, who does he think he is!
"They are my friends, and I don't want them to associate with you." Adrian inched closer.
"And why not?"
"I am not here to explain shit to you. You are not going, and that's it," he hissed.
"Well, guess what. I don't need to listen to you. I am going and that's final. Your friend seemed to like me just fine, especially Luke. Oh, maybe I might even ask him out on a date or something."
Adrian suddenly grabbed my shoulder and then pushed me against the wall, his eyes burning into mine as anger flowed through them. "You wouldn't do such a thing. Stay away from my best friend."
"Or what? I might not have to do that because he looks like he wanted to ask me instead. So I will most likely say yes if he does," I barked.
I was not interested in Luke since I had someone back in Boston I was talking to, but Adrian was pissing me off, so I decided using Luke's name would be the perfect way to get back at him.
Adrian's grip tightened on my shoulders. "You will say no."
"You know what. Now that I think about it, I find him extremely attractive, so I will definitely say yes to him." I grinned.
Adrian stared at me intently for a moment, then suddenly pressed his lips on mine.
I didn't have the chance to speak or breathe as he moved his lips on mine. It wasn't soft and sweet like it was a year ago. It was rough and felt more like the mockery of a lover's kiss. It lasted for only four seconds. He released me and then looked at me with disgust as if he tasted something bitter.
"Hah, is this what I had been missing? I must've been braindead before if I thought you were any good back then," he chuckled, then let me go.
Don't cry, Meghan, don't give him the satisfaction, I told myself in my mind.
"Get out of my room," I said. I tried to make my voice sound cold but failed to hide the sadness I was feeling.
"Sure. Don't expect me to give you a ride," he barked.
"I can take care of myself," I said before pushing him out of the door.
****
I made sure I looked amazing before walking out the door.
I put on a crop top and paired it with shorts that showed off my long legs. If I was going to the party to spite Adrian, I needed to make sure Luke hit on me. I'll apologize to Luke later for leading him on, but for now, Adrian needed to know that I didn't give a shit about him or his opinions.
I already knew he would not change his mind about taking me, so I called myself an Uber. God...how I wished I had a car!
I was at Tiffany's house in less than thirty minutes. The door was cracked open, so I pushed right in. The music was blaring, and the room smelled heavily of liquor. As I walked through the crowd, I also smelled something else I wasn't quite fond of.
I looked around to see if I could find a familiar face but saw none. So I stood there in the middle of the room, feeling nervous among the sea of strangers who were either a drunk or high.
I didn't see Adrian anywhere. He must be running late.
"Maggie! Over here"
I breathed in relief as I heard Luke's friendly voice. Finally somebody I know. I walked to him immediately.
"Oh, thank God you found me!" I chirped.
"What are you doing by yourself? Didn't Adrian drive you here?" Luke furrowed his brows.
"No, I found my own ride. Hey, do you think you can take me home later?" I asked him. I didn't really know Luke well, but he was Adrian's best friend, so I could trust him, right?
"Of course. I would love to take you home after the party. But for now, let me get you a drink," Luke offered
I hesitated. I had only just turned nineteen, not quite the legal age. I didn't drink much when I was out with my friends back in Boston either.
"l am not sure," I told Luke. "Maybe I'll just grab a soda or something."
"Oh come on, it's a party. Wait here, I'll go make you something nice," Luke said and when to the table full of liquor. I stood alone again, looking around awkwardly. Still no sign of Adrian anywhere.
Luke came back in a minute and handed me a red cup. "Here, try this. It is my special mix."
"You are not trying to roofie me, are you?" I joked. A special drink, what does that even mean?
Luke let out a chuckle. "Gosh, Maggie. Imagine me drugging Adrian's sister. He would kill me!"
"I'm not so sure. He seems to hate me nowadays."
Luke narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, what the hell is up with that? Why does he act so mean to you all of a sudden? I remember last year he was always so very friendly with you. He was almost too protective over you."
I sighed. "I wish I knew the answer," I said.
"Maybe you should go talk to him. He had a few drinks, so he's feeling a bit more relaxed, so maybe he won't be as harsh this time," Luke smirked.
Luke is probably right. I should try to talk to him. "I don't know where he is," I said.
"I saw him walking out to the porch with Tiffany when I was getting your drink. I was gonna call him, but I remembered you were waiting, so I came here instead. They might still be out there, so you can go out and meet him."
I quickly thanked Luke and then walked toward the back door.
As soon as I walked out, I saw Adrian. Tiffany was there with him alright. She had her arms wrapped around his waist while he held her close. But before I could say anything, they started kissing.
I shouldn't interrupt. It would make him even angrier, I thought to myself, but then I remembered how he had been treating me this whole time. Why should I care if I ruin their perfect moment? I strode toward them and tapped him on the shoulder.
ADRIANParties weren't really my thing, but fuck if I was going to stay home if Meghan was going to Tiffany's to hang with my friends. Where did she get off insisting to go anyway? Tiffany was my girlfriend. Or at least, a fake one. Luke was my friend. Hell, everyone who was going to be there was part of my crowd, not hers. She should step off. As far as I was concerned, Meghan had picked her side when she'd used me then left me for Boston. She didn't get to show back up in my house with my family to go to my college with my friends and demand to hang at parties meant for me. She needed to get her own friends and stop trying to poach mine. Tiffany surprised me when I got to the party. It was like she could tell I was upset. She brought me a Captain and Coke then got me another when I drained it dry with a few swallows. I liked how she didn't seem to care if I drank enough to get a good buzz going. Tiff was turning out to be a cool chick to fake-date. I just wished she understood
MEGHANI was so stunned by his words that I couldn't speak the entire time.I just stood there, frozen while he said those nasty words to me. I couldn't even shed a tear.I watched him slam the door on his way out and then burst into tears. My body shook as I attempted to choke back my sobs, but I couldn't stop. I have never felt so humiliated, so small.So I made one mistake a year ago? Don't I deserve a chance to explain myself? And what was that about him 'almost not making it?' What did he even mean by that? I was so confused.I didn't know how I would go back to the party and have a good time after he made me feel like shit, so I decided to look for Luke. He promised to drive me home after all.I went to the living room and looked around, my eyes frantically searching for Luke. Maybe I should call the rideshare company again."There you are, Maggie. I was looking for you."I released a sigh of relief. Luke found me again. "Did you find Adrian?""Yes," I said meekly. I had wiped m
ADRIANTiffany had been waiting right at the foot of the stairs with a drink in hand for me when I got through the door. The smile on her face promised me more than a good buzz; I wanted to kiss her until I forgot all about Meghan. She was willing to oblige, too. We made out at the foot of the stairs until she had a leg hooked over my hip, grinding her groin against mine as she panted cherry-scented breaths against my lips. "Come up to my room? Please? I swear I'm not a tease. I'll let you do anything you want. Just come with me?" What made Tiff so hot for me? If I had been less drunk, I might have spent more time thinking about it, but all I could care about was how she made my dick hard enough to drive nails. We were in her house, at her party, and talking about going to her room so I could get my hands on her body---as far as I was concerned, Tiffany was the only one whose interests mattered under the circumstances. Meghan could find her own fun. Who really cared if she got w
MEGHANHow was this fair?I was being ganged up by two other girls who looked older and possibly stronger than me. This was such a fucked up situation, I thought. Even if I knew how to fight, which I didn't...I couldn't fight them off both as I was outnumbered.And what are we even fighting about anyway? For a guy I didn't even like?"This is stupid," I said. I shook my head as they were gaining on me."Are you calling me dumb? You slut?" Rita snapped."No, I am not calling you dumb. I am saying this whole thing is dumb. This is a big misunderstanding, that's all. I don't want Luke. I already told you this a thousand times," I said."We don't fucking believe you," Rita's minion barked.Twirling her hair on her finger, Rita stepped even closer to me. So close that I had a hard time breathing as the stench of alcohol in her breath overwhelmed my senses. "I think a lesson needs to be learned. What do you think?" She placed her indexed finger on my chest and then poked it hard, making me
ADRIANFucking Luke.Maggie looked rough from the smackdown she'd evidently gotten herself into in the bathroom. Her eye was swollen, turning dark already, and even her cheek looked puffy on that side. I knew it would be an ugly shiner by morning; I had zero idea what our parents would have to say about it.They'd probably blame me.As if it was my fault my best friend was a manwhore who attracted crazy chicks the way moths swarmed a flame. I couldn't wait get to college. I wasn't ever coming home to these people again.I had to carry her all the way to the bathroom. Luckily, our parents were dead asleep and didn't hear the door. I couldn't wait to get my own place so I didn't have to worry about things like this."Natasha is going to have my head for this, you know that right? You better tell her you took yourself to the party. I'm not getting my ass handed to me because you don't know to stay away from where you aren't wanted.""I was invited!" Maggie protested sharply.I was angry
MEGHAN I rolled to my side and groaned as the entire side of my face hurt. I tried to open my eyes, but it was too painful to open my right eye, so I closed them again. Why does it hurt so much? I touched my aching face and the memories from last night came flooding back. Then, thinking about the party, I laughed bitterly to myself. Oh right. How could I forget the beatdown from Luke's number one fan already? Damn Rita and her temper. Maybe I better stay away from him for a while. I had enough problems of my own already. I needed to figure out how to fix things with Adrian. He was still too angry at me, and I wanted him to stop hating me. "Maggie! Are you up?" I jolted up into a sitting position as I heard my mother's voice. Shit...I wasn't ready for her to see my battered face. I knew she would be disappointed once she saw how her daughter was getting into trouble already. I didn't want her to regret inviting me here to live with her again. "Y...yes, mom," I replied. "It's a
ADRIANI didn't mean to eavesdrop on Maggie's phone call, but I heard everything through the walls. I mean, the walls were pretty thin. I remember she used to yell at me to turn my T.V. down when she was trying to study.My blood boiled when I realized she was talking to another guy. At first, Luke's name came to mind. Had they exchanged numbers already? I didn't think they would move that fast. But then, I heard the name Chase. So she had a boyfriend this whole time, huh?I wanted to confront her, so I waited until Natasha left. I was right when I assumed I would be blamed for everything. Fucking Maggie couldn't stop making me miserable."Chase, huh? So much for Luke's chances---or are you into group activities? You think Luke and Chase would be willing to go for you together?" I sneered at her when I finally got to see her. She had finally hung up on her 'boyfriend' and was lying in bed when I barged in on her."Please, Adrian. Not now. I am not in the mood for your verbal abuse. I'v
ADRIAN"What the hell, Maggie? I told you I was going to sneak in," I cried. Is this girl dumb or what? I specifically told her my plan, but here she was, getting me in even more trouble."S...sorry. It was a reflex. I didn't mean---" Meghan started, but the door burst open, interrupting her mid-sentence.Natasha and my dad both burst into the room -Dad was holding a golf club- while I was holding my hands out to show I wasn't a threat to Maggie."Woah, woah, woah! It's just me!" I cried out."Adrian!" Dad yelled at me, "Why didn't you use the doorbell? I have told you: I will not tolerate you sneaking around the house. While you live under my roof, you'll come in and out through the doors like a civilized person.""The doors were locked," I pointed out, rolling my eyes at his overreaction. Getting yelled at by dad like I was still in high school wasn't exactly on the agenda today.Why did it matter if I used the window instead of the door? I was going to the same place. I lived here,