Chapter Nineteen. The plain, dreary multipurpose room which is normally filled with old, dusty folding chairs and long tables has been transformed into a creepy

Alyssa

The plain, dreary multipurpose room which is normally filled with old, dusty folding chairs and long tables has been transformed into a creepy, ominous mad scientist’s laboratory. The food will be set up on the table covered with colorful test tubes in racks, boiling beakers of all sizes, and a black cauldron. I really hope Leah didn’t borrow the supplies from the Science Department or no matter how good the food is I won’t be eating anything close to those things. She splurged for the vinyl floor-to-ceiling wall decorations turning the painted cinderblock into a gray stone wall three- quarters of the way around the room. For the last wall, she chose the one that looked like a demented doctor’s office with a bloodied steel operating table and jars along the countertop behind it filled with random disgusting things. Furry rats are placed randomly around the room. Spider webs, most of them fake, cover the entire ceiling and most flat surfaces around the room including the DJ’s table. The bar is decorated all in black with bottles covered in Halloween themed labels. Round tables and cleaner chairs are set up that we borrowed from another room. We covered the tables in black covers and the centerpiece is a smaller black cauldron with an LED candle inside. Leah was pissed she wasn’t allowed to use real candles. Plastic nasty insects are crawling all around the tabletops. Welcoming people at the door is a banner that reads: KEEP OUT! All that is missing is the fog machine. Well, not anymore. Tyler is bringing it through the door.

“Where’s this going, Leah?” he asks.

“Over by the DJ. This way no one trips on it while they are dancing because everyone will be dancing,” she tells him.

That last part could have been directed at me. For the last week, I’ve been very conscience of making sure my foul mood isn’t obvious to Leah, Julia, and Erin. They had enough of me moping around with Jeff, so I’m trying to hide my sadness this time. The truth is, I’ve had enough of feeling down and angry myself. Tonight is Leah’s night and I will, even if it kills me, have a great time with my friends.

Leah and Erin are walking over to where Julia and I are finishing up the last table. I have no doubt she is really just coming over to inspect every table cover we put on. We even made sure to take the extra few minutes to fix every single bug, so they are on their feet and not their backs. I’m surprised Leah isn’t making us glue them down so people cannot move them.

“Yay! This place looks amazing!” Leah says cheerfully.

“It’s actually cool. Although I’m shocked you went with a mad scientist theme instead of a vampire theme,” Julia teases her.

“Don’t mess with vampires, Jules,” I tell her. Our roommates aren’t as into the vampire stuff like Leah and I are. They are totally missing out.

“The thing I’m confused about is why you picked a butterfly costume. How come you aren’t the crazy scientist and Alyssa your assistant?” Erin asks seriously.

“Simple, Silly. Mad scientists aren’t glittery and pretty. That is why I had our boyfriends be the scientists,” Leah explains laughing. “I think we are just about done here until the caterer and the DJ arrive. How about we head back to the apartment and start to get ready?”

We agree and start to pack up the boxes that Leah had the supplies and decorations stored in. It’s just the four of us and Tyler still here. Everyone else ditched us a long time ago. A few times I thought how if Rocco was still my boyfriend, he would have been here helping us. It would have been more fun, at least. Let it go, I keep telling myself. I grab some boxes and take them out to my car. Tyler comes out carrying the rest.

“How are you holding up, Lyss?” he asks.

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking, Tyler,” I answer with a fake smile.

“If coming here tonight is too much for you, you need to just say that,” he says. “Don’t let Leah guilt trip you into coming if you aren’t up to it.”

“I’m actually looking forward to getting out and having some fun with you guys tonight. I need it,” I admit.

“For what it’s worth, Troy said Rocco hasn’t been back to campus since yesterday when he went to find you. He probably won’t even be here tonight, so you don’t have to worry about running into him,” he tells me.

I nod my head, but hearing his name and that he hasn’t been back to school has me upset. Seeing him at the park yesterday was rough. When I left my apartment in the morning, my intention was to get a balloon and let the stupid thing go over the lake. It was supposed to work like the day I was there with him. I ended up leaving and returning to the park a few times unable to do it. On my last trip there, my mind started replaying the night we spent at his house. There was no way he didn’t love me after all that was said and done between the two of us. That night was not just about sex. It was about truly being in love with someone and making sure they knew it.

Then my thoughts shifted to the things Shane told me about Rocco’s ex. It made me understand he was truly trying to protect me. He just wasn’t really sure how to and wasn’t going about it the right way at all. Typical Rocco. I had changed my mind. I didn’t want to let him go. I was going to let him deal with it on his own for a while before demanding he knock his bullshit off and come back to me.

Hearing someone pull in the parking lot startled me. I quickly turned around to find out who it was and the damn balloon accidentally slipped through my fingers. Seeing it was Rocco who was there jump started my heart. I thought he was coming to get me because he realized he made a mistake. Turns out, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. I jumped off of the table waiting for him to come over to me, but he never did. He stood there looking at the sky. After a few minutes, he left. My entire body was paralyzed with disbelief over him letting me go. Did he ever love me at all?

“Hey, you okay?” Tyler asks looking worried.

“Um, yeah. I was just thinking about something.”

“Did anything happen when he found you yesterday?”

“No. Nothing at all. He didn’t even say a word to me,” I answer.

Right before he gets in my car he adds, “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks. I will.” Why can I not find a guy as sweet as my friends? The girls come out of the Student Center. Guess it’s time to get ready.

Back in the apartment, Erin and Julia have disappeared in their room to get their costumes on. Leah is going through her paperwork making sure she isn’t forgetting anything. Since I already straightened my hair this morning, I have a few extra minutes, so I plopped down on my bed before changing. I’m thinking of how Rocco was supposed to be my date to this party tonight. It would have been fun dancing with him and hanging out with his roommates. They still talk to me and come over to see us. As a matter of fact, they actually stopped over Tuesday night before they went out. Logan was trying to convince me to go out with them, but they forget I’m not twenty-one yet and I had class early the next morning. It was nice of them to offer, though.

“What are you doing?” Leah asks coming in our room.

“Just taking a break from all the work my slave driving BFF had me doing today.”

“You’re still coming tonight, right?” It’s written all over her face that she’s thinking I’m going to bail on her.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I reassure her. “Like I told Tyler when he asked, I’m looking forward to this actually.”

“I’m sorry you’re going alone,” she says sitting down on her bed watching me.

“I’m not. I’m going with my friends,” I remind her as I sit up. “Really, Leah. I’m good. Don’t worry, okay?”

“Alyssa, don’t you dare lie to me. You can pull that shit with anyone else, but not me. You fell fast and hard for Rocco. I know what it’s doing to you. My guess is you are suffering even more than with what Jeff did.”

My eyes are warning they will explode with tears at any given second. “Not now, Leah, okay?” I sigh. “I just want to have fun with my friends, dance, and get really, really drunk tonight. If you want to do anything for me, make sure that happens. Well, that and don’t let me go home with ANYONE other than you.”

“Consider it done!” she squeals leaping off of her bed. “Come on. Let me do your makeup, then I’ll do mine.”

“I can do it,” I tell her getting up.

She goes out to the kitchen and comes back with a cherry Cosmo for each of us. We spend some time putting on our makeup while drinking, chatting, and laughing. It feels good to sit with my best friend and relax. She thinks my makeup is a little light, so I just darken it up. No point in getting her in a tizzy over it. It’s a little too glittery for me, but it’s Halloween, right?

Leah announces it’s getting late and that we should get dressed. She sets out my blue butterfly costume, the silver shoes we found at the mall when we went shopping a couple weeks ago, and light shimmery stockings. I change quickly because I don’t want us to run late.

Before I open the door to let Leah know I’m done, I walk over to her mirror. My jaw almost hits the floor. There is no way I’m walking out of this room in this costume. How did I not see how slutty this is? It has a turquoise blue sequin corset with a sweetheart neckline which, thankfully, just covers my boobs, but dancing would be very tricky with no straps. The back is mostly open but laced. The tutu skirt is a light blue glittered tulle short enough that if I bend over, my ass would hang out if not for the shorts I had already put on. The wings are made from the same color tulle as the skirt, has sequins all over them, and are trimmed in a white, furry material. The headband is also the white, furry material with blue, glittered antennae sticking straight up and curling at the ends. It is really pretty, but so not me!

“Leah Walsh, get your ass in here, RIGHT NOW!” I yell from our room. I can hear Julia and Erin start to laugh. Good thing I had that drink or I’d be even more furious right now.

The three of them come rushing in the room. “It looks so pretty!” Leah shrieks right away.

“Yeah, it’s pretty, all right. I am not going in this,” I say shaking my head holding the headband in my hand at my side. “No friggin way.”

“Oh, stop it. You look hot!” Julia says. Their costumes look so much more appropriate for them. They each have on a short plaid skirt and a cropped, white tie top. Their hair is in low pig tails which are in big, loopy curls. The thigh highs and heeled Mary Jane’s add a nice touch to complete the look.

“You guys can pull this kind of stuff off. I cannot.”

“What are you talking about?” Erin says playing with her light red hair. “If Rocco does show up, he’s going to be one sorry son of a bitch,” she adds making me flinch.

“I highly doubt it, Erin. He saw me naked and ran for the hills the next day,” I reply.

“That is not what happened and you know it, Alyssa,” Leah snaps giving Erin a nasty look.

“Leah, go throw your costume on. We have to leave in five minutes if you want to make it there before the caterer. Alyssa, get over it. You are hotter than the three of us, so knock your shit off. I think you know it, too,” Julia snaps. “We totally should have gotten her the nun costume. Guys are going to be banging on this damn door for weeks after tonight,” she utters leaving my room.

Leah goes into the bathroom to change. When she comes out, I’m still standing in front of the mirror. “Remember how much you love me when some cute boy asks you to dance tonight,” she whispers putting her arm around my shoulders.

“No dancing with cute boys or ugly boys or any in between boys for me,” I clear up. “So not going there,” I say taking one more glance at the ridiculous costume I am wearing. “I cannot believe I’m going out in this. You will pay big time, Leah Walsh.”

“That’s the second time you used my last name in one day. I’m in big trouble, huh?” she asks.

“Yup,” is my response.

“The boys just pulled up outside,” Julia calls from the living room.

The four of us meet them outside. Tyler, Mark, and Tommy are all wearing scientist costumes. Well, they are wearing the white lab coats and white wigs Leah picked up for them. Underneath is probably just their normal clothes and I’m guessing they will accidently misplace their costumes shortly after getting to the party when a certain someone gets distracted. They start whistling and cat calling at us coming down the stairs. Boys. We pile in two cars and make our way to the Student Center.

Everything has gone off without a hitch. Thankfully for them, the caterer and the DJ were here on time and completely prepared. The doors opened about forty-five minutes ago and it’s already packed in here. Leah is beyond excited and practically floating around the room trying to talk to everyone. I took up residence at the table she reserved for us. It won’t be long until she finds me here, but I’m trying to stay off these heels for as long as I possibly can.

Just when I’m finishing my third drink for the night, a bunch of people drop down at the table I’m sitting at. “Hey, Philly Girl. How the hell have you been?” Logan says.

“Hey! You guys are late. You better hope Leah didn’t see you come in the door just now,” I tease him, Shane, Troy, and Paige.

“It was my fault,” Paige admits from the seat next to me. “Although if these bastards would have bothered with a costume, I may not have been the only one running late. Speaking of costumes, girlfriend, you are looking pretty friggin hot tonight. You got a date or something?”

“Nope. This is all courtesy of you know who,” I tell her with a sarcastic smile.

“Leah,” she laughs.

“Hmm, I wonder how the hell you could have figured that out. I totally should have picked out my own costume.” They all laugh at me. “You are looking pretty good yourself. That’s what I should have been,” I say winking at her. She went with the normal devil costume. Even though it’s short, it is hiding everything that should be hidden.

“I thought the idea of Halloween is being something you aren’t every other day of the year,” Shane jokes making me smile.

“I’m over missing you, Shane. Now get out,” I say throwing a bug at him.

“Hey, don’t be throwing my decorations,” Leah says coming up behind me. Of course, I’d get caught. She puts another drink in front of me after looking in the cup in front of me. “Thought that one may have been gone already. Come eat before all the good stuff is gone,” she instructs us.

“Go ahead. I’m not hungry, yet,” I tell her before starting on my drink.

“You are going to pass out before you even make it to the dance floor, Lyss. Let’s go eat something.” She is pulling on my arm. It’s easier just to agree.

We all hang out after eating for a bit. It feels so good to have all of my closest friends around me, even if someone is missing. Laughing with them really does make me feel better. Well, there’s that and the large amount of alcohol I’ve consumed. A familiar song starts to play in the background and Leah jumps up.

“Let’s go. That’s our song calling us,” she says as she downs the rest of her drink before standing up.

“There’s like two people dancing, Leah. I’m not going out there,” I say.

“Don’t worry. Once you two are out there in those costumes, the dance floor will fill up real quick,” Paige announces pulling me along with her. Erin and Julia also come to dance bringing Mark and Tommy along with them. I don’t think those guys will leave their girlfriends alone for one second in those school girl costumes.

Dancing with the girls to the one song turns into dancing to the next five songs. We are having so much fun that I don’t even see all the people who are now dancing around us until I leave to take a break. Paige comes with me because she wants to make sure I am not gone long. The guys have been bringing us drinks, but my feet are starting to hurt in these shoes. Our view of the table has disappeared since Leah has us dancing right in front of the DJ. When we make our way through the other dancers, the first thing I notice is someone sitting in my seat. My anger takes control of me in an instant as I walk up behind the intruder.

“Get the fuck out of my seat.” It didn’t even sound like my voice.

“I didn’t see your name on it,” the blond tramp mouths back not turning around.

“My name doesn’t need to be on it,” I spit out.

She laughs that overly sickening laugh she has. “Tell her, Paige. I don’t move for anyone." She flips her hair over her shoulder.

“You better move for her, Carrie. She’s not in the mood to tolerate your bullshit tonight and, truthfully, neither am I,” Paige says standing firmly beside me. Shane and Logan are watching nervously. Troy stands up but doesn’t move. He’s not sure what to do.

“Please, you think I’m worried about the trashy girl who thought she deserved someone like Rocco Matthews?” She’s trying make me upset by mentioning his name. She has no idea who she is dealing with.

“Turns out, Carrie,” I start to say leaning over her and placing my hand on the table in front of her. “He just might be your type after all. Insignificant and not worthy of my time.” Somehow over the loud music, I hear a huge gasp of air behind me. I straighten up and turn around to see Rocco standing there staring at me like I stabbed him. I’m too drunk to control the shit coming out of my mouth. Even though I want to fall apart over seeing him, my face never falters. There is no way I will ever let him know how he has destroyed me. I turn back to Carrie and repeat for the last time, “Now get the fuck out of my seat!” She rises slowly out of the chair glaring at me, then walks away giving Paige a wicked look for fraternizing with the enemy.

The tension is so thick at this table it’s ridiculous. The guys are looking from me to Rocco, then between themselves. I plop down in my seat, put my feet up on the one chair, and finish the drink in my hand. “Paige, you sitting or what?” I ask without turning around. Rocco is still standing there. I can feel him staring at my back.

“Um, yeah. Sure,” she stutters before pulling out the chair on my other side. “I don’t know what to do? Do you want me to have Troy get him out of here?” she whispers. I just shake my head no.

“What are you doing here, Rocco? Thought you were staying home for the rest of the weekend?” Shane asks from across the table.

“Sunshine,” he calls me ignoring his friend. My whole body tightens over hearing him say my name, but I don’t turn around. “Can I talk to you for a second? Please?” Logan reaches over to refill my drink for me. I nod in appreciation. When I still haven’t answered him, Rocco asks again. “Please come outside with me. I won’t keep you long, I promise.”

Hearing him say the word ‘promise’ infuriates me. I just about leap off the chair and face him. “I don’t think I can take another promise from you, Rocco. Paige, I don’t need a break after all. I’ll be out there with Leah.” I storm passed him, drink in hand, never even checking to see his reaction. Screw him.

I push through people a little too forcefully to get back to where I left Leah. “That was fast. Feeling better?” she asks.

“Rocco’s here,” I say.

“What the fuck? Want me to kick him out?” I know she would do it in a heartbeat, but I also know he would make a scene.

“I just want you to dance with me,” I tell her trying not to cry.

“Whatever you want, Lyss.” She sends a look to Erin and Julia.

A few songs later, I feel the anger and disappointment start to fade. My mind pushes away thoughts of the jerk off who splintered my heart into sharp, jagged pieces while the music consoles me. I’ve long forgotten about the revealing costume I’m wearing and dance without restraint. The cool breeze from the air conditioner they turned on for the party is lightly blowing my hair. This sense of happiness and freedom is only temporary. The next song that comes on is a slow song. I start to back away to the edge of the dance floor as my friends start to dance with their boyfriends. A bathroom break is just what I need. When I turn in the direction of the door, I almost run into the solid chest standing behind me.

“Dance with me,” Rocco pleads. I try to step around him, but he blocks my way. “Please, I need to hold you.”

“Not a chance in hell,” I tell him making another attempt to leave the room. Again he steps with me and reaches out to grab my arm. What did he say? He needs to hold me?

“Sunshine, you aren’t getting away without talking to me at some point,” he’s starting to get mad. Guess he’s not used to being told no.

“Stop calling me that and let go of my arm,” I say trying to pull my arm back.

“No. That’s your name. I’m not letting go of anything.” He’s barely containing his temper. “Where’s your necklace?” he asks looking at my neck.

“It’s in the box, ready to be returned to you.”

“It’s yours. You aren’t returning shit,” he raises his voice.

“Rocco, let me go,” I repeat. Another hand rips his hand off of my arm. I didn’t know anyone was aware of us.

“Walk away, Rocco,” Shane warns. He is glaring at Rocco and has stepped in between us. “Don’t do this here and not when you both are drunk.”

“This has nothing to do with you, Shane. Get out of my way before I move you!” Rocco yells.

“Back off,” Shane counters standing firm. It doesn’t look like either of them are going to back down.

“Shane, if this has anything to do with you wanting my girl, I will…” I’ve never seen Rocco so mad.

“The only thing happening here is me trying to stop my best friend from making the second biggest mistake of his life. You made the decision to end it. You let her go. Now you have to leave her alone,” Shane explains as calmly as he can.

By this time, all of my friends have stopped dancing and are now crowded around me. Leah and Paige have planted themselves on either side of me. The guys are trying to stand in front of me, but there isn’t much room between me and Shane.

“Stop making a scene, Rocco,” Shane says turning his back on him. A new slow song has begun. He sees the tears in my eyes that are just seconds from escaping. “Come dance with me,” Shane whispers pulling me away from whom my heart is screaming for.

Our friends follow behind us, filling the gap between where Shane and I are dancing and where Rocco stands glaring. Shane has his back to Rocco, so he cannot see me. I lay my head on his chest and he puts one hand around my waist and the other on the back of my head holding me to him. I’m extremely grateful he is comforting me, but his arms just feel completely wrong wrapped around me. It shouldn’t be Shane holding me. I’m no longer able to contain the tears that are building up. Shane knows I’m crying and he tries to reassure me that everything will be fine. The sobbing gets worse because I know nothing will ever be fine again.

The song comes to a close and the girls swoop in to steal me from Shane. They whisk me off to the bathroom. Bright lights reveal my blood shot eyes and smeared makeup. Paige wets a paper towel and hands it to me. I clean it up as much as possible. Leah has her bag she carries everywhere for situations just like this and fixes my makeup in seconds. Erin pulls out her eye drops and passes them over to me. I actually look presentable again.

“Thanks girls,” I tell them.

“Do you want to go home?” Julia asks getting a look from Leah. “Knock it off, Leah. She’s had a rough night.”

“I’m okay,” I try to reassure her.

“She cannot keep running from him, Julia. He’s going to be around,” Leah snaps.

“She’s clearly not okay. You are just too blind to see it because you’re being selfish,” Julia snaps back just as hard.

“Stop it. Both of you,” I sigh. “Thank you for helping me. You guys can head back. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“You sure?” Paige asks not knowing if she should stay or go.

“I’m sure. Just need to regroup.” She acknowledges me with a small nod and they all leave the bathroom one by one.

For the next fifteen minutes, I try to convince myself to go back into the same room as Rocco. The only reason I think the rest of the night will be uneventful is Leah probably went in there and either threatened Rocco or kicked him out. One last deep breath and I leave the security of the bathroom. The moment I step into the hallway, I’m wishing I was still safely inside. Standing against the wall next to the bathroom door is yet another obstacle to face. How much bullshit can a girl take in one night?

“There she is. I thought maybe you would hide in there all night,” the bastard says pushing himself off of the wall.

“Go away, Ryan.”

“Would you look at that? She does know my name. At least you’ll be screaming the right one when I get you back to my room.” The look in his eye has me starting to worry. He looks drunk, but I can’t tell. There is only one way to get out of here and he’s blocking it. Behind me is a dead end. I doubt going back in the bathroom would save me.

“I’m not going anywhere near your room,” I make absolutely clear.

“Why not? You think you’re too good for me?” He looks offended.

“No. I don’t go around randomly screwing people. I’m not one of the sorority wenches you hang out with.”

“Ryan,” a voice says from behind him. “Why don’t you go back to the party?” Shane and Logan are walking toward us.

Ryan stops advancing to me and turns around. “I’m just chatting with a pretty girl.”

“That pretty girl is with us, so it would be wise of you to walk away and be very, very thankful it was us who found you and not Rocco,” Logan advises him.

Ryan turns to look at me, “Rocco dumps your ass, so you go behind his back and screw his friends? You are a whore.”

Shane grabs him by his shirt and holds him against the wall. “Apologize. Now.”

When Ryan doesn’t say anything, Logan gets in his face. “You were told to apologize to the lady. Now do it.”

“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry.” Ryan scrambles to stay on his feet when Shane lets him go.

“Tell her you won’t bother her again,” Logan tells him.

“I won’t even look at her,” he says before taking off down the hallway.

Both Shane and Logan are at my side instantly. “Are you okay, Alyssa?” Logan asks.

“I’m fine,” I sigh leaning against the wall behind me. “I can’t go back in that room. I told the girls I would be back, but I’m done.”

Shane puts his arms around me. “I’m going to take her home. Go get her keycard from Leah and ask Troy for the keys to his car. She’s never going to be able to walk all the way back to the apartment in those shoes. I’ll get her out front where we parked.”

“Logan,” I call as he starts to walk away. “Please don’t let Rocco know about Ryan. I just want to go home without another incident.”

“I’ll do my best, but he’ll probably find out eventually,” Logan says softly.

“What the hell am I going to do with you, Kiddo?” Shane says leading me outside. Thankfully we make it to the front of the building without anyone seeing me. Logan eventually shows up with the keys and both Troy and Paige.

“What happened?” Paige asks coming over to me. “You were fine when we left you in the bathroom. You said you were okay.”

“I just want to go home. I’ve had enough for tonight,” I say.

She nods understandingly. “I’m going with you.” She jumps in the passenger side.

I slide into the backseat in between Shane and Logan. “Rocco knows something is going on. We don’t have much time to get her back before he comes looking,” Logan tells Shane over my head. We all stay quiet the rest of the ride. Troy pulls up to the front of the building and Logan jumps out to run through the building to open the door by my apartment. By the time he parks the car, Logan is holding the door open. As we file into the apartment, Logan says, “By the way, Leah cannot take a hint to save her life. She’s a pain in the ass to get to shut up.”

“Did you tell her about Ryan?” Shane asks.

“No. I just said Alyssa wanted to go home,” Logan answered.

“What happened with Ryan?” Paige whips her head around.

“He called me a whore. Shane and Logan scared him,” I answer.

“Girlfriend, you’ve had one shitty night,” she says.

“That is an understatement if I’ve ever heard one,” Troy mumbles.

“It’s the costume. I told Leah I didn’t like it,” I sigh. “Once again I’ve managed to ruin everyone’s night. I’m so sorry guys. How are any of you still talking to me?”

“It’s not your fault. You just have really bad luck,” Shane teases. I hear someone’s phone signaling an incoming text message.

Troy reaches in his pocket and hands Paige her phone. “It’s Leah,” he announces.

Paige takes it and tells us that Leah wants to know what is going on. She texts back how I ran into Ryan in the hallway, she’ll get the rest of the details when she gets home, and to keep it from Rocco for as long as possible. “Alright, you guys. Get out of here. I’m going to get Alyssa out of her costume and cleaned up. Logan, one comment from you and I will kick your ass,” she instructs. He walks out chuckling.

Shane comes over to me and gives me a hug. “I’m glad you are okay. I was really worried when I saw Ryan standing there. That could have been so much worse,” he whispers so only I can hear him.

“I know,” I respond. “Thank you so much.” My tears are brewing again thinking about it.

“Look, Alyssa. I just need to say something and I don’t want you to be upset, okay?” He looks to make sure the guys have left the room and he sees Paige standing over by the door. I nod to him when he looks back. “Earlier, when Rocco said something about me wanting you, I just want you to know it’s not like that. I consider you a really good friend. We all do. I just want you to know,” he repeats. “You are like the little sister none of us had. We all have your back, okay?”

“I know.”

Logan comes back in and gives me a hug, too. He kisses my head before saying, “We’ll check on you tomorrow, Philly Girl. Get some sleep. Call if you need anything,” he says before disappearing through the door.

Troy pokes his head in to kiss Paige. “Shane, you coming? I’m going to go find Rocco. It’s better if he hears about this from us, don’t you think?” He agrees. “Good night, Alyssa.”

“Good night, Troy. Thank you for bringing me home.”

“Anytime,. He pulls Paige in for one more kiss. “You want me to swing by and grab you later?”

“I’m going to stay here,” she tells him.

“Paige, you can go. I’ll be fine,” I say to her.

“Forget it. You’re stuck with me, unless Leah kicks me out,” she winks. I give her the best smile I can.

She follows the guys out and makes sure the door is locked. When she comes back, I am already scrubbing my face in the bathroom trying to get all of the damn glitter off. Paige grabs another washcloth off the shelf and scrubs her face as well. We finish up and head into my room. I find pajama pants that might fit Paige because they are long on me and a big t-shirt. After changing, I blow up Leah’s air mattress and cover it with sheets and a couple extra blankets. Leah even keeps extra pillows around. As soon as my head hits the pillow I start to think about the nights events.

“I just wanted to go out and have fun with my friends. Is that really too much to ask?”

Paige starts giggling. “For you, yes.”

I laugh with her as a tear slips out. “You’re probably right.”

We talk for a little while before my phone buzzes on the dresser next to me. I see a text message from Rocco. Heard what happened. I know u don’t want 2 talk 2 me. Plz just tell me if u r OK. I text back I’m fine then turn off my phone. As soon as Paige falls asleep, I cry myself to sleep. I’m not fine at all.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30