chapter 5

Lauren's POV

I opened my eyes slowly but closed them instantly from how bright the room is. Damn you sunlight. Weird.... usually Jonathan closes the curtains. I rolled over, expecting Jonathan's warm body on my left side, but no, I fell.

"AHHHH" I shut my eyes and screamed, waiting for the impact. But surprisingly, I fell on something softer than the hard floor. What the...? I opened my eyes and heard someone groan. I looked up and saw Cole's face, extremely close. I fell on her. Everything from last night came back like a flash. My mouth formed into an O shape.

Nicole's hands were on my waist, keeping me steady on her. She opened her tired eyes and looked around for a moment until her eyes landed on me. Our eyes made contact and for some reason, no one dared to move. Her hair looked like a bird's nest and her eyes were barely open. She looked like a lost kitten. She blinked a few times and studied my features. She looked so cute this close, I could see all her little things on her face. Her skin is clear and flawless, it made me jealous. Like how?!!!

My eyes averted at her lips and she glanced at mine. Our lips were so close, I could feel her breathing on my skin. Oh, shit. This can't be happening. Why am I moving closer? Why is she moving closer? No no no I'm losing control over my body.

Just then Matthew fell on my back, laughing his ass off. I was about to jump from surprise when Cole held my waist tightly, pulling me closer to her body. "NO Matthew... he'll get hurt." She said and I nodded.

She removed her hands from my waist and pulled Matthew from my back, carefully to the floor. I pulled away from her and stood up. I ran to the bathroom and locked the door. I leaned against it with my eyes shut.

Oh my god. I was about to kiss her. What is wrong with me? I have a boyfriend. A boyfriend that I love. Did I? No no no Lauren, you can't and won't have doubts.

I groaned and started doing my business. I took my time, not ready to leave the bathroom. I finished and took a deep breath, holding the door handle. Good thing the bathroom smells nice or I would've died. I opened the door slowly and saw Cole throwing Matthew in the air then catching him again. Matthew was smiling all the time. Giggling every once in a while.

Cole noticed me and smiled. Holy shit. I got out of her bedroom, fast. I must've looked like an idiot. My heart leaped in my chest when she smiled at me. I think I'm developing a crush on her. I just can't help it. She's nice, sweet and loving. I noticed all that from last night. This can't be happening. I have a boyfriend, which is her brother.

I went downstairs and heard Danielle scolding brad for farting in the kitchen. I saw red, when I remembered last night.

I entered the kitchen, revealing myself and looked at everyone of them with a murderous glare on my face. Everyone was silent. Well, except for brad who said "Hi." And waved.

"Lauren, Jonathan told us about what happened and we're truly sorry." Ashley responded cautiously, lifting her hands up as a sign for surrender.

"We were drunk and stupid." Jonathan continued, looking at me with regretful eyes. He was standing beside Danielle who shook her head up and down as a sign of agreement.

"Yeah... I mean, blame the alcohol, not us." Brad said while eating a carrot, munching on it happily. Danielle grabbed his throat, which made him choke. He spat and struggled to breath while holding Danielle's hand on his throat.

"You're not helping." She said, glaring at him and let him go. He took a deep breath and coughed.

"Fine. I forgive you" I paused. "But I will never be the designated driver ever again." I warned. "Why?" Brad said. I looked at him blankly. Is he serious?

"You're such an idiot." Danielle stated, rolling her eyes. "You left me, alone, in the middle of the night with no ride home. I forgot my wallet in Jonathan's room, so I couldn't take a cab. That's why." I elaborated.

A moment of silence passed when Jonathan interrupted. "So, you're coming back to sleep with me?" Jonathan said with a cheeky smile across his handsome face. "Yes Jonathan I'm coming back to sleep with you." I said and gave him a peck on his lips. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. I rested my head on his chest, smiling with content. See, how can I doubt my love for him?

"Hey, where did you sleep last night, if you didn't sleep on the couch?" Jonathan said, frowning. I sighed, stepping away from jonathan. "With Nicole." I said, avoiding everyone's gaze, looking at the floor.

The room was filled with silence all of a sudden. I looked up and everyone seemed shocked. They looked at me like I got three heads. Danielle was the first one to break the silence. "Why? Don't tell me you forgot she had a crush on you in high school? With a possibility that she still has a crush on you."

"I know, but she was the one who brought me here last night while you guys were passed out, farting every now and then." I said irritated from the reminder. "HEY, I don't fart." Ashley exclaimed, frowning at me.

Now If you're wondering how I knew she had a crush on me in high school, it's because she wasn't very stealth while checking me out. I noticed it at first and told the guys but then brad told the whole school. That was one of the common reasons why she got bullied. Thinking about it right now, I feel like a douche for telling my friends.

"So you slept with her?" Ashley asked with her eyebrow raised. "No I didn't sleep with her. I slept with Matthew. She slept on the floor." I elaborated, crossing my arms.

"So, you guys are friends now?" Jonathan asked, resting his arms on the counter which is located in the middle of the kitchen. "No, of course not." I said like it was the obvious thing.

Brad stood up and opened the fridge. He took a box of milk out and sat on his seat again. He looked at me and asked "Is she awake?"

"Yeah, why??" We all looked at him suspiciously. He smirked and said "She will have a surprise awaiting for her downstairs."

Oh shit.

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Cole's POV

I can't believe I was about to kiss her. And I can't believe she was about to kiss me.  What happened back there?? It's like we both lost control. You know what, I don't think it matter anyways because she has Jonathan.

I carried Matthew downstairs to eat breakfast. This little guy can bring a smile on your face with just one glance at him. I entered the kitchen and everyone was there, acting casual. I looked at them frowning. They're up to something. I can feel it.

I sat Matthew on the counter and opened the fridge door. I searched the fridge and frowned, Where's the milk? I sighed and closed it. I looked at Jonathan who was sitting on a seat next to brad who pretended to be asleep. Ashley was on her phone sitting on the counter next to Matthew. Danielle was smiling at me devilishly, standing beside Lauren who kept giving me a look. She's warning me. I nodded at her, signaling that I understood. She smiled at me, softly. I smiled back. Wow.

I glared at brad, in disgust. Brad may be an idiot but in pranks and silly jokes, he's the master mind. "Brad." I whispered, moving closer towards him. He opened his eyes and I lowered my head to his face. "Matthew needs his milk." I continued in a low voice. He looked surprised like everyone else. This is the first time I ever 'threatened' someone. Well almost..., I just want Matthew to have his breakfast but, he needs his milk first. "We're not in school anymore brad. No more silly jokes and messing around. My little brother needs his milk." I said, growing furious by the second.

"You can do whatever you want to me but not to Matthew." I continued.

"Why don't you breastfeed him?" He replied, laughing with everyone else except for Lauren, who clearly faked a laugh.

"Your so stupid. I'm not his mother to breastfeed him, you idiot. I don't have milk in my breast. It's simply impossible." I said, irritated.

He looked at me, then stood up. He pushed me away then punched me right in the jaw. I fell on the floor, feeling the pain increase all around the left side of my face. I heard everyone gasp including Matthew who begin to cry. My vision is blur but I caught a glimpse of Matthew being carried away by Lauren upstairs.

I blinked a few times and saw my glasses beside me on the floor, almost broken. I stood up, wearing my glasses again. My vision is back to normal, but I can see a crack on the left lens of my glasses. I stared at brad, who looked shocked to say the least. Their group never laid a hand on me unlike the others in high school.

I jumped at him angrily, punching him repeatedly on the face. I poured all my emotions out. I blocked all the noises and the screams from everyone else surrounding me. My only focus was beating brad shitless. "That's for making me look like a fool in high school." I gave him a punch. "That's for making me feel insecure about myself." I gave him another punch. "That's for making me live a living hell for four years." I gave him another one. I repeated the process, giving a reason behind every punch, until Jonathan pushed me away.

I fell on the floor breathing heavily. I felt like a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I looked at brad, who's being carried away, out off the house. I think I did some serious damage but right now, I don't care. I'm in peace. The frustrations, the sorrow, the pain is all gone. What I did was wrong, completely wrong but how can something so wrong brings so much peace?

Everyone followed brad including Lauren, who I didn't see coming from upstairs. The house grew quiet. No one was here except for Matthew....Wait, MATTHEW!!

I stood and ran upstairs. I ran down the hall and pushed my bedroom door open. I saw Matthew on the bed, pillows surrounding his fragile body. I walked towards him and pulled him to my chest, crying softly. What have I done??

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It's 6pm and no one came back from the hospital yet. obviously, they went to the hospital. I even figured out what brad's prank was. Brad hid the milk, mixing it with honey, and left it open on the top shelf. So when I get my cereal, the box of milk will fall on my head, dripping me wet and sticky. I actually opened the top shelf but I stepped away before it fell on my head.

I sat on the seat in the kitchen, feeding Matthew with a small spoon. I smiled as he chewed. My smile faded when I recalled what happened today. I hope I didn't do anything serious. I don't want someone's blood in my hands, even if it was brad's. Taking a life from a human being is wrong, no matter how much you despised that person. I don't want to live with regret for the rest of my life. I never meant to cause that much damage, I should've controlled myself but now I'm afraid I'm too late.

I heard a knock on the door "POLICE!! OPEN UP." My eyes winded. WHAT?? Why are the police here?....Did I kill brad?...Did I crack his skull that he bleed to death? No no that's absurd.....but I can't help the feeling that there is a possibility.

No no no. I can't go to jail. I'm too young. I nervously put Matthew's plate down on the counter and went to open the door. My hands are sweating and I could fell my heart beating strongly on my ribcage.

"MS ERICKSON WE KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE. OPEN THE DOOR OR WE'LL BREAK IN." The policeman knocked again loudly. I took a deep breath. Don't assume things Nicole, you still don't know the reason why they're here. I opened the door with a shaking hand. I looked at them, waiting for what comes next.