Mallory
I opened my eyes to the next morning with a raging headache. My hangovers were usually mild on mornings after a night out, but today was an extreme exception. The bright sunlight bursting through my window was strong enough to make me wince terribly.
I sat up in bed groggily, thinking about brushing my teeth, when Kennedy dramatically threw my bedroom door open. The maniacal smile she was sporting could have petrified Medusa.
I screamed, dragging my duvet over my half-naked body. "What the hell, Kennedy? Who let you into the house?"
"Cleo said that you hide your spare key in the shoe drawer." Kennedy replied, kicking my door shut. "If I were you, I'd change its hiding spot."
I decided that I was too tired to care about my lack of clothes. I chucked my duvet onto the floor, padding in my underwear into my ensuite bathroom. Kennedy followed me, her caramel eyes examining the mess of makeup clinging to the skin around my eyelids. Thankfully, she didn't comment on it.
As I put toothpaste on my toothbrush, I rolled my eyes at her reflection. "Why am I still friends with you and Cleo?"
Kennedy gasped. "You're a freaking hypocrite. Everyone knows you and Cleo are basically attached at the hip. If someone tried to separate you, your skin would probably melt or something."
I stared at her, utterly confused. I never understand where Kennedy's sense of humor originated, but it was likely some crevice of hell. "I'm telling Cleo that you're banned from breaking into my house in the mornings. Second, it's the weekend. Waking up early should be a criminal offense." I complained.
"Your life is a criminal offense." Kennedy replied coolly, scrolling on her phone. I choked on my toothpaste, but Kennedy just glanced up to smirk at me. "Do you want to go get cupcakes? Cleo already agreed."
"When did you get the time to ask her?" I asked, because it was literally the butt-crack of dawn. I wasn't exaggerating.
"Five seconds ago, while you were abusing Cleo." Kennedy tapped her phone, sashaying out of the bathroom. I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to my appearance in the bathroom mirror.
I swore under my breath. My hair was stuck in messy, unrelenting waves, and I could still see smudges of mascara under my eyes, from the night before.
"I'll be out in a sec, Kenny, I need to change and shower. My aunt will be up in half an hour, if you need anything." I told my best friend, gently tracing my dark circles with my fingertips. I needed a new concealer, but it was so much effort to go shopping.
"Sounds good." Kennedy chirped from my bedroom. The girl was a ray of sunshine and a morning person. But Kennedy could be evil when I least expected it, too.
I hurried downstairs in ten minutes, and we left to walk to the local bakery, called Sweet Hearts. Cleo met us outside, looking bright and awake in her jeans and parka. I was left looking like I spent the night getting drunk... which I did.
When we got to our table, Cleo peeked at her phone. Her dark eyes crept up to meet Kennedy and I's. "I invited someone here. He's a mutual acquaintance of ours."
Kennedy paused, looking up at Cleo. "What's his name?"
"Reid. Is that okay with you guys?" Cleo's eyes moved from Kennedy's curious expression to mine.
My boyfriend Brent didn't like me hanging out with guys; but he was fine with my girl friendships. I sighed, hating myself for having to say this. "Brent's not okay with me being around guys our age."
Cleo and Kennedy exchanged glances. "Why wouldn't Brent be okay with that? This is just a friendly drink." Cleo answered, her brow creasing with confusion. "I promise you'll both love Reid, he's so funny."
I shrugged listlessly. I took Brent's manipulations quietly because he was my weak point. Removing him from my life should have been easy, but Brent wormed his way into every essential part of my life: my home, my friends, my school.
Extricating him would feel like throwing myself into a fire. I didn't want to tell my aunt about my problems with Brent. I felt stressed and anxious all the time, but that wasn't enough to get her involved in my relationship.
"Reid is an interesting name." Kennedy mused, changing the subject. I looked at her gratefully. "What does it mean?"
"How would I know?" Cleo asked impatiently. I watched her sneak a glance at the pretty waitress who was serving us.
I stared at my best friend. "What's got into you?"
Cleo sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just nervous." She realised her mistake, and I saw when Cleo devised a valid excuse. "Because of finals. They're coming soon."
Kennedy raised her eyebrows. "Finals are in six months, Cleo."
"I revise early." she replied with an awkward smile. I narrowed my eyes at Cleo, knowing she was lying. But she obviously didn't want to talk about it.
Kennedy moved closer to me, concern in her eyes. "How are you feeling about Brent now?"
She was treading on eggshells around me again. I knew that she was worried but I was strong enough. I could last out my relationship with Brent.
"We're fine." I replied neutrally. My boyfriend could be sweet, sometimes. When he was angry or stressed, he became difficult to deal with.
"Look who came to join us," Kennedy said with a bright smile. I looked up, lost in my thoughts, but Kennedy was watching someone behind me. I felt someone walking behind me, then the chair beside mine was pulled out.
My stomach somersaulted as a beautiful boy sat down, smiling at Kennedy and Cleo. He turned to me, his eyes falling on my face, and his smile softened.
I returned Reid's smile, but I was experiencing an impending sense of doom. I already knew him from last night's party; the mystery boy with the pretty brown eyes. I danced with him, and traded stories with him. Then Reid disappeared without a trace.
I looked at Kennedy and Cleo to see if they recognised him from yesterday, but neither of them made any indication.
"You must be Mallory. I've heard a lot about you." Reid remarked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at me. Like he was trying to figure me out. I knew he didn't recognise me, but how could I take offense? I didn't remember every person I met on a night out, either.
"I hope your impression of me isn't too awful, then. Especially if Cleo was your information source." I replied with a smile.
Reid laughed appreciatively. "Of course. Nothing less." he commented, looking at me curiously. He turned to Cleo and he grinned. "Where are these promised cupcakes?"
Cleo smirked. "Relax, they're coming. Do you know Kennedy, Reid?"
"He does now." Kennedy replied, flashing a friendly smile at Reid. He grinned back at her and leaned into his seat, brushing his hair back. I watched those little mannerisms that I memorised last night. They were attractive, for some reason, but I needed to ignore it.
Reid's attention turned back to me, and his brown eyes looked over my face. He frowned slightly. "I feel like I've seen you before."
"Are you sure?" I asked him neutrally. My brain was temporarily malfunctioning, so I wasn't sure what was driving my ability to speak.
"Definitely." he murmured in reply, his eyes roaming my face. Reid was searching for where he knew me, I could see it clear as day. Cleo and Kennedy were watching us, bewildered by our interaction.
They started to talk amongst themselves, leaving Reid and I to our own devices. I decided to bite the bullet. I sighed, smiling still. "You got me. We met at a party yesterday, but I didn't get your name."
Reid's faintly confused expression cleared. "Right, I remember. I danced with you, didn't I? I wish the lighting was better in that house."
I looked at him, bemused. "What would the lighting change?"
Reid smiled. "I would have seen your face properly. You're gorgeous."
"Thanks for that." I replied. I dutifully ignored the cartwheels that my stomach decided to respond with.
"You don't need to thank me. I'm just stating a fact." Reid said playfully. I rolled my eyes, but smiled anyway. There was something endearingly sweet about his demeanour.
I frowned. "Then why did you leave so suddenly? I thought we were having a good time, then you dipped."
Reid looked apologetic. "Honestly, I thought I'd never see you again. I don't have an explanation beyond that."
I couldn't hide my disappointment. "Okay, then." I looked away, but I felt Reid touch my arm.
I glanced from his hand to his face, and his eyes entreated me to listen. "I'm sorry for being so thoughtless, but seeing you here gave me a second chance. Let me take it?"
I wasn't able to stay mad at Reid, for some reason. I had no expectations beyond a one time thing, either. But this was the perfect opportunity to make Reid sweat.
I stared at him impassively. "Do you want my number or something?"
His mouth turned up at the corners slightly, like he'd been caught. "If you'll give me it."
I smiled innocently. "You can get my number from Cleo."
Reid looked surprised. Then he smiled at me, his eyes knowingly meeting mine. "Don't worry, I'll ask her."
We continued talking as Cleo and Kennedy argued about something opposite us. I tried to keep my barriers up, but Reid was too kind for me to hold my resolve. Inch by inch, he crept past my defences and peeled away the layers.
Reid was kind, but he was a million things otherwise; funny, interesting, witty. He was confident without being arrogant. He told me about his love for music and his guitar; his dog, his art. He loved swimming, writing stories. It was like I was fifteen all over again, learning a new person into my life.
We talked for a good hour without stopping, occasionally acknowledging Cleo and Kennedy. We fell into a natural rhythm, occasionally insulting each other in good fun. I was able to let my guard down around Reid, until I noticed Kennedy's expression freeze. "Mallory, it's Brent." she said urgently.
I noticed Reid frowning at me, trying to decipher who Brent was. I realised that I never told him about my boyfriend, but Cleo's problem appeared more imminent.
I glanced at my best friend, taking a bite of my donut. "What about Brent?"
"He's here, like right here. He's coming to our table. Did you invite him?" Cleo asked in a low voice.
"What?" I turned around and sure enough, my boyfriend was walking towards us, up the aisle. He smiled once he knew that he had my attention. But then Brent's eyes slid to Reid, who was sitting next to me. An unfathomable look crossed his face.
He walked up to me, brimming with confidence. I was on the aisle seat, so Brent easily took my hand in his own. He kissed my cheek. "Hi, there."
"Hi, Brent." I said, smiling to disguise my nervousness. I couldn't look at Cleo and Kennedy. Crashing a girlfriend's friend date wasn't something I agreed with, let alone whatever my friends thought about it.
I peeked over at Reid. His brown eyes were cool, and void of their usual warmth. His sweet smiles were gone, replaced by the firm shape of his mouth when it rested.
Reid nodded at my boyfriend. I noticed that the upwards curve of his mouth didn't reach his eyes. "Hi."
Brent threw an indifferent glance at Reid, without bothering to appear friendly. "Hi." He turned back to me, but the look in his eyes was unnerving. He looked furious, ready to boil over. I couldn't understand why.
"This looks fun, but Mallory and I have to go. We're visiting my aunt." Brent told them smoothly. He was lying. His grip on my hand got stronger; a silent demand for compliance.
I crumbled, getting up from my seat. "He's right, I have to go. But I'll see you guys later, okay?"
Cleo and Kennedy nodded. Kennedy looked disappointed, but Cleo was suspicious. She had known me since kindergarten. My heart sank in my chest, my mind wavering. This was a tug-of-war. Decision, decision.
Then I felt someone touch my hand, which was still resting on the table. I looked over to Reid. He was still sitting, and his fingertips lightly ghosted my skin. He returned my stare silently, offering his support without a single word.
"I'll get your number from Cleo." Reid murmured quietly to me. He moved his hand away from mine. I knew his intentions were genuine. Reid was worried for me, and we only met yesterday.
Ignoring my reservations, I stood up from my seat, smiling at my friends. "I'll see you later."
We walked down the aisle of the small cafe, Brent gripping my hand in his. He took me down the high street, but then he steered us into a small alleyway. I looked around us fearfully as the path got darker, but finally he stopped us and faced the wall, as if he was studying its brickwork.
"Why were you talking to him?" Brent asked without looking at me. His head was tilted downwards, and he refused to look at me.
I stared at him, confused by the sudden change of topic. "What do you mean?"
I heard Brent's quiet scoff in response to my question. "You know who I mean. The guy you were sitting next to, the one you were talking and laughing with. Who is he to you?"
"Reid? He's my friend. We met a few days ago at a party." I replied without hesitation. But my thoughts wandered back to the butterflies I felt when we spoke, on both occasions. Could I honestly say that we were just friends?
"When did you go to a party without me?" Brent sounded hurt, like I had intentionally left him out. He was looking at me like a wounded puppy, and guilt slowly trickled in, permeated my thoughts.
Then I steeled myself, forced myself to look at the situation objectively. He was manipulating me. A while ago, I fell for his act. Now, I was better at recognising these situations.
"I went with Cleo and Kennedy. They asked me because I'm their friend." I said coolly. "We don't have to go everywhere together, Brent."
He looked enraged. I wanted to cower, if it would soften his anger. "You're my girlfriend, Mallory. Mine. Not his, so you better stop talking to him."
I frowned, kicking the mud under our feet with my sneaker. "But Reid is my friend, Brent. I respect you, I've never been completely alone with him."
I was cut off by the feeling of metal against my cheek. I stumbled, gripping the area of skin which felt like it was set on fire. I touched my hand to my cheek, and it came back dotted with red spots. Brent threw his phone at my face.
He was shaking with anger, panting like a bull. "You respect me?" Brent shouted. "Stop feeding me lies. How dare you do this to me? Cheating on me, lying to me when I love you!"
I couldn't respond. My mind just stopped working. I clutched at my cheek, because that was all I could do. I couldn't fight back. I was struck dumb, silenced by the shock of Brent's imminent fury. After the fire erupted, these burns were all found on my skin.
Then my boyfriend was surrounding me from every direction, gingerly touching the tender patch of skin on my cheek. "I'm so sorry, Mallory, I can't believe I did that to you. This is all my fault."
He had the nerve to cry, holding my cheek like he was the one who was hurt. Tears streamed down his cheeks. His hair was messy without its usual gelling.
I could only stare straight ahead of me. I couldn't think about Kennedy or Cleo. Or Reid. My eyes filled with tears when his face swam into my thoughts. If I owed someone an apology, it was him. For dragging him into my mess of a life.
"And now I've made you cry. I'm so sorry, baby. How can I make up for it?" Brent asked me desperately. I focused on him finally, this boy who pulled me into the depths of hell with him.
"I want you to leave." I rasped. "Please, just go."
I possessed a warped sense of responsibility and simultaneous guilt when I was with Brent. Our relationship started out good. He was caring and charming. He said all the right things. But then it went downhill, and I still didn't understand why.
He stared at me wordlessly. Opened his mouth, probably to protest, then thought better of it. He got up, walked away from me. When Brent disappeared from sight, I properly cried on the street alone.
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