Kat’s dad was really nice for a doctor. Even though I hated hospitals, I felt a little more comfortable with him around. He had given me half of a little white pill, and after about half an hour, the pain in my foot subsided to a dull throb.
“You have a fracture in your foot,” Kat’s dad said, pursing his lips as he eyed the bruise on my cheek. “Quite a fall you had.”
“Sure was,” I nodded, fighting to keep my voice relaxed and even. “I’m pretty clumsy, so it’s not a surprise.”
“Make sure to be careful next time,” Kat’s dad nodded, though he seemed unconvinced.
“Will do,” I murmured. “My folks are renovating the house, so it’s been pretty cluttered lately.”
I was just piling on the lies at this point-about my relationship with my family, about the house, about my bruises. I reminded myself it would all be worth it once I graduated and moved out. The lies would be worth it in the end.
“You’re going to have to wear this boot for a few weeks,” the doctor informed me, wrapping my foot tightly.
My heart jumped at the thought of wearing a boot. If Lauren noticed, it would be game over. She’d assume Darren hurt me and would know I went to the hospital. But how the hell was I going to hide a boot? Kat would flip out if she caught me not wearing it. Either way, I was screwed. It was only a matter of time.
Ethan, Kieran, and Kat filtered back into the room, each with a strange look on their face that made the knot in my stomach grow heavy. Kat wasn’t stupid; she knew something was up. Pair that with my crappy lying skills, and she was almost halfway to figuring out the truth.
It’s not like Darren constantly abused me. It was sporadic, mostly verbal abuse, which I could handle. The bruise on my face was a mistake on his part, and the foot injury was my own fault. My torso was probably covered in bruises, but no one would see those. The porcelain tub had left my ribs tender and painful, but I wasn’t about to bring that up.
“So, how bad is it?” Kat grimaced, her face matching Kieran and Ethan’s.
“Just a small fracture,” Kat’s dad nodded. “Nothing a boot won’t fix. Just gotta let the body heal itself.”
My visit to the doctor’s had taken up almost all my time. Hanging out with Kat definitely did not go as planned. Ethan and Kieran drove us back to Kat’s house. The ride was silent, something I was thankful for. I refused to let either of them carry me again, choosing to hobble along at an excruciatingly slow pace.
I was officially declaring myself done with the two of them. I’d have to muster up the willpower and hope they didn’t manage to get me alone again. Kieran could have fun with Jessy, and Ethan with whoever else. While my insides burned with jealousy at the thought, I wasn’t sticking around as some toy they could play with.
“Do you really have to go?” Kat pouted.
I gave her a small smile. “Lau-my mom wants me back before dinner.”
Another lie. I just wanted to get home before Darren woke up from his drunken stupor. I’d be safely in my room with the door locked by the time he got up from the recliner.
“Next time, you gotta stay for dinner,” Kat scolded. “My mom isn’t gonna let me hear the end of it once I take you home.”
“Maybe next time I could sleep over,” I grinned, thankful she forgot her suspicions for the moment.
“Mind if we talk to Sophia for a moment?” Kieran stepped forward, and I clenched my teeth angrily.
Kat bowed her head to the side-a really strange move to make. “Of course,” she murmured. “I’ll be right back.”
What the hell was that about? Since when could Kat not stand up for herself? She seemed to do it easily with Jessy or anyone else, for that matter.
“What do you guys want?” I sighed, leaning against Kat’s car. I felt antsy with the two of them around. It felt like they were a drug, and I was just a junkie trying to resist the pull.
“Sweetheart, you can’t truly be mad at us,” Kieran gave me a breathtaking smile that made me weak at the knees. His smile was almost bashful, full of an unspoken apology. My heart lurched at the sight, making it nearly impossible to resist them.
“Don’t sweetheart me,” I growled under my breath. “I can and will be mad at the two of you.”
Why was it so hard to stay mad at them? They both looked at me with wide, adoring eyes, and I had to force my gaze away.
“Doll, Kieran isn’t back with Jessy,” Ethan shook his head, his hand reaching out to turn my face to theirs. “It was a stupid rumor courtesy of Jessy.”
My heart thundered. They both looked so sincere. But truly, what chance could there be for the three of us? People didn’t just share other people. Guys didn’t share girls, and twins definitely didn’t share a girl.
Within another year, I would be gone from this town, and I wanted to leave with as little attachment as possible. I could handle leaving friends behind, but I wasn’t sure I could handle leaving someone I loved. I planned on leaving without notice, sneaking out in the middle of the night. I wouldn’t be able to do that to the twins, not if this continued.
“Look, whatever this is between us needs to stop,” I forced the words from my mouth, cringing at how weak they sounded. “I’m not a toy you can just play with when you’re bored.”
“You’ll never be a toy to us, sweetheart,” Kieran murmured with his rough voice, his hand reaching out to play with a piece of my hair.
“The second I graduate, I’m gone,” I frowned at them. I could practically feel my heart splitting in two. “I’m not sticking around any longer than necessary.”
“Why would you want to leave, doll?” Ethan frowned.
“That’s personal. All that matters is I’m done with this. It’s not… normal to share a girl like this.”
“We’ve never been normal, sweetheart,” Kieran’s dark eyes burned into mine, honesty pouring through his words.
Kieran and Ethan exchanged a meaningful look, one that made me wonder how many times they’d had this conversation before.
“You might be done with us, but we aren’t done with you, beautiful,” Ethan murmured, something strange glinting in his eyes.
Too many emotions bubbled in my gut, making me question if I was making the right decision.
“You’re ours, Sophia,” Kieran murmured, his dark eyes flashing with concealed emotions.
“Always will be,” Ethan chimed in.
Both of their eyes were locked on mine, and I swore they could hear my hammering heart. That side of me wanted them desperately, as though my life depended on it. They weren’t just two hot guys; they were like a part of me.
Kat chose this moment to come walking back outside. While I was grateful for her interruption before I did something I regretted, I desperately wanted to reach out and touch the twins.
“We’ll see you in school, sweetheart,” Kieran murmured, and I tensed as they did something completely unexpected.
Kieran stepped forward and pressed his lips against my forehead, his rough stubble grazing my skin. Ethan followed, doing the same.
All the stress I had felt at the doctor’s vanished as their lips met my skin. The move felt strangely intimate, not in the sexual way I was becoming used to.
I hopped into Kat’s car before they could say another word.
“They seem to really care about you,” Kat murmured as she drove me home.
I frowned at her strange behavior. “What’s up with you lately?” I grimaced. “It’s like you can’t say no to them.”
Kat sighed and rubbed her forehead wearily. “I can’t really explain it, but their family kinda owns everything in town. It’s not like you can just say no to them.”
I ignored her flimsy excuse, deciding not to comment.
“Are you coming to school tomorrow?” Kat frowned.
“Probably not,” I gave her a weak smile. “I think I’m just gonna take it easy tomorrow. Maybe get some homework done.”
“And you’ll be at work on Sunday?” Kat raised her eyebrow at me, daring me to flake out.
“Yes, ma’am,” I nodded, chuckling as a grin spread across her face.
Kat dropped me off at home, and I let out a sigh of relief as Darren was passed out cold in the recliner. I grabbed some cold leftovers from the fridge and hobbled up to my room.
The first thing I did when we moved in was install a new lock on my bedroom door. You needed a key to get in, making it easier for me to come and go. Darren and Lauren couldn’t touch any of my stuff while I was gone.
I unlocked my door quickly and stepped inside. I picked at my food while lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I went to bed early that night, determined to sleep through as much of the day as possible. Sleep was a peaceful break from the conflicting emotions that haunted my every move. the stairs.” I frowned. I had been telling the lie so much, it almost sounded convincing.
Lilian chuckled and shook her head, “Only you could break your foot falling down a flight of stairs.”
While Kat remained suspicious, Lilian believed my lie with no problem.
“Tell me about it.” I shook my head, “My clumsiness will be the death of me someday.”
“We’ll have to wrap you in bubble wrap to keep you safe.” Lilian chuckled.
I wasn’t sure who was hosting the party, but they didn’t live very far from me. We turned into a much nicer neighborhood than mine and pulled up to a large house. The house wasn’t as big as Kieran and Ethan’s, but it was much bigger than mine. Two stories and very wide, the house sat at the beginning of the neighborhood. I could already hear the thumping music coming from inside. Kids stood around the front yard and in clusters on the porch.
I hobbled from the car and Lilian waited for me patiently. There were so many people inside, no one noticed when Lilian and I strolled in. Many girls were dressed much like Lilian, in flashy dresses and short skirts. I had never been to a party before, but I felt underdressed. Lilian’s crimson dress hugged her athletic body perfectly, and I silently wondered if I’d look that good in a dress. My body wasn’t athletic by any means, but my stomach was technically on the slimmer side.
I felt beyond awkward trailing after Lilian half the night. This party was truly a testament to my conversation skills, meaning I had none. Around thirty minutes into the party, I trudged into the kitchen. Bottles of liquor were strewn about everywhere. Avoiding anything with alcohol, I poured myself a cup of soda.
I had been looking for Kat for the past half hour, failing miserably at finding her. Instead of wandering the house, I pulled out the phone she had gifted me.
**Sophia 10:12 p. m.**
*Hey, where are you?*
**Kat 10:18 p. m.**
*Home lol? Where are you?*
I frowned down at my phone for several minutes. Was she not able to make it? Why hadn’t she let me know?
**Sophia 10:23 p. m.**
*I’m at some party with Lilian. She said you were coming too?*
**Kat 10:28 p. m.**
*I never heard anything about a party. You sure she meant me?*
I shoved the phone into my pocket, something unfamiliar and threatening swirling around in my stomach. Maybe Lilian was talking about someone else, and I had thought she meant Kat. This was partially my fault to begin with. I hadn’t mentioned the party to Kat at all this week, too wrapped up in my conflicting thoughts. I simply assumed she knew about it already and planned on going.
“Sophia, right?” A deep voice caused me to turn. I looked into a pair of bright hazel eyes. A guy around my age was talking to me. Sandy blonde hair sat on his head, long enough to graze his shoulders.
“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” I said, frowning. The guy looked my age, but I couldn’t remember ever seeing him before.
“I’m Calvin,” he grinned, showing a perfect smile. “I’m in your first-period class.”
“Oh.” My mouth dropped open. I had never noticed him before. “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize.”
“It’s not a problem, beautiful,” Calvin replied, still grinning.
Normally, butterflies would swarm in my stomach at the thought of talking to a guy as attractive as Calvin, but this time I felt nothing. Anxiety was swirling in my stomach, and at that moment, I just wanted to talk to Lilian .
“Um, I gotta find my friend real quick,” I mumbled awkwardly. “It was nice talking to you, Calvin.”
I grabbed my cup of soda and walked back out to the living room, the last place I had seen Lilian. She was talking to a group of people, three girls and two guys. I tapped her on the shoulder timidly, nearly cringing when their conversation halted.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” I raised my voice over the thumping music.
Confusion flickered on Lilian’s face, and she nodded. We walked over to the dining room, which had far fewer people than the rest of the house.
“What’s wrong?” Lilian asked, noticing the worry on my face.
“You told me Kat was coming, right?” I pursed my lips.
Lilian nodded. “Yeah, I talked to her about the party last week.”
“I texted her, and she said she never heard anything about a party,” I frowned.
Realization flashed in Lilian’s eyes. “Sh*t. I might’ve forgotten to mention it to her. Did you want me to take you home?”
I could see the reluctance in Lilian’s eyes, and I instantly felt guilty. Here I was, practically freaking out that Kat wasn’t here. I could survive another hour or two, just long enough for Lilian to have some fun before she took me home.
I drank the rest of the soda in my cup and shook my head. “No, no, it’s alright.”
A relieved grin spread across Lilian’s face. “You’re the best, Sophia. I’ve been talking to this guy over there, and I think he’s into me.”
I chuckled along with Lilian, glancing over at the guy she was talking about. He was nothing special in my eyes, trying his best to strut the ‘bad-boy’ look. I couldn’t help but compare him to Ethan and Kieran. This guy looked like a kid playing dress-up compared to the twins.
My stomach was still swirling despite my decision to stay at the party. “I’m gonna head to the bathroom,” I nodded. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Lilian nodded and gave me another grin before walking back to the living room as I trudged up the stairs. My stomach wasn’t just swirling now; it was flip-flopping, making me nauseous and dizzy. I managed to find the bathroom with little trouble and closed the door behind me. Splashing cool water on my face did nothing to make me feel better. Any movement made my head swim and my vision blur. Something was seriously wrong.
I was having difficulty forming coherent thoughts. My mind was only able to focus on one thing at a time. I yanked my phone from my pocket and stared at the shifting screen. The letters were floating and swirling. I could vaguely make out Kat’s name, but everything else was a blur.
**Kat 10:30 p. m.**
*Do you need me to come get you?? Lilian never said anything about a party?? Are you alright?? Sophia, answer me. Send me the address. Hello???*
I barely managed to shove the phone back in my pocket when another single-track thought came to mind. I needed to find Lilian, fast. I flung open the bathroom door and walked out, but whatever was happening was getting worse. I couldn’t walk straight, and it was becoming harder to stay on my feet. The entire hallway was tilting, swirling into one big jumbled mess. I couldn’t remember which way I had come from or which way led to the stairs.
I picked a direction and stumbled down the hall, my hand grazing against the wall in a pitiful attempt to keep myself upright. My leg buckled from under me, and I fell toward the floor.
“I got you,” a familiar voice murmured, lifting me from the ground.