"Ouch!"
I groaned, clutching my head as I tried to sit up. It felt like the end of the world, the pounding in my head and body was unbearable. Then a scene from last night flashed in my mind. Great. I really did drink myself into oblivion. And what was worse, truly terrifying was what had actually happened.
My eyes narrowed the moment Glim walked into the room.
"I thought you were dead. I even reserved a coffin and flowers for you."
At her words, I quickly looked around for something hard to throw at her. The moment I spotted one, I hurled it with all my strength. Unfortunately, she dodged, and it only clipped her shoulder. Still, it had to hurt, that thought made me smirk a little.
"Ouch! You're welcome!"
She said as she picked up the alarm clock I'd thrown, then dragged a chair closer and sat down at a safe distance from my bed. She knew that if I got my hands on her, she'd regret it, so she kept her space.
"Come here," I said softly.
"I'm not ready to meet Satan yet. It's far too early for a goddess like me to leave this world."
She was smiling as she told me the biggest lie of her life. I'll admit it, Glim really is pretty. The problem is, she never stops bragging about herself. I threw something at her again, this time my phone, and would have laughed loudly if not for the splitting pain in my head.
Direct hit on her face! She winced and rubbed the spot where my phone landed.
"You're so mean!" She yelled at me, as if we weren't sitting just a few feet apart. Her face turned red, no doubt from anger.
"I know. And I'm proud of it." I said with my chin held high. Why wouldn't I be? Being strong and a little cruel keeps you at the top. Though honestly, that wasn't the real reason. I just wanted people to be afraid of me so they wouldn't bother me. But the girl in front of me? She's the exception.
My thoughts were cut off by the sound of quiet sobbing. And guilt started gnawing at me. She sat on the edge of the bed with her back to me. I made my best friend cry. I wanted to go to her, hug her, but I hesitated, what if she pushed me away? Should I leave?
"Pffft…" I looked up at once, only to see the witch grinning! Was she making fun of me?! I jumped to my feet, ready to strangle her. How dare she! She bolted out of the room before I could murder her, finally releasing the laughter she'd been holding back. I couldn't help but laugh too. I must've looked ridiculous.
"Go shower already! You stink, I can smell you from here!"
She shouted from the kitchen. The smell of bacon drifted into the room, of course she was already cooking.
"Yeah, yeah. And then I'll kill you!" I yelled back. She only laughed again. I really thought those tears were real earlier. I picked up my phone from the mat, the screen was cracked. Then I dragged myself into the shower.
"What a shame I didn't see that guy's face," Glim muttered later, chewing on her food.
"Ew, Glim, that's disgusting! Can you swallow first before talking? You have zero manners." She gulped it down and glared at me, but that look had no effect on me.
Whose look would affect you then?
And with that, his image flashed in my mind. I remembered again what happened.
_______________________
FLASHBACK
After that kiss… I couldn't bring myself to leave the bathroom.
What the hell was happening to me?! It wasn't my fault I slapped him! He was handsome, but no! No, he wasn't! He was a pervert!
I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. It's because I'm beautiful, that's why he was drawn to me. Oh my gosh! What was I even thinking?! I was losing my mind! What now, should I just wait here until they all went home, and then sneak out? No way. That wasn't me.
I composed myself before stepping out, relieved to see that the rowdy group from earlier was gone, including that handso—that pervert.
Then, as if fate wanted to mock me, there he was, the thief of my first kiss. He stood there, poker-faced, hands in his pockets, wearing a plain white shirt that made him look even more… no, not handsome. Perverted.
I was about to walk past him when he suddenly pulled me by the waist. And for the second time, his lips pressed against mine. Another ambush! I tried to push him away, but of course, men are naturally stronger. I couldn't break free, so he kissed me until he was satisfied.
The cheers around us snapped me back to reality. I shoved him with all my strength, face burning with shame. Half the batch reunion had witnessed it. To them, I must've looked so cheap.
"Easy target," he muttered just loud enough for me to hear.
Easy target?! My ears practically burned at his words.
Fine. He wanted a game? I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. His poker face slipped for just a moment, though no one else seemed to notice. Best actor of the year. Then I flashed him a genuine smile, something I rarely ever gave. Slowly, I leaned closer…
And slapped him. Hard. A slap he would never forget.
The cheers turned into a deadly silence, broken only by the music playing inside. Everyone froze, stunned. Everyone except me and him.
Not yet satisfied, I stepped closer and whispered, "Darling, don't underestimate me."
Before leaving, I cast him one last glance. And unless I was imagining it, I clearly saw amazement in his eyes.
END OF FLASHBACK
____________________
I decided to just go home. Glim had been called by her dad for a family gathering, and though I thought of hanging out somewhere, I realized I missed my room. Yes, just my room.
What a good daughter I was, right? I know. That's why people should look up to me.
Without hesitation, I headed upstairs. The house seemed empty except for the maids. I showered again, changed clothes, then rolled around in bed. Perfect, I'd sleep the whole day. Thank goodness it was Saturday.
Just as sleep was about to take me, I jolted up at the sound of a car stopping outside. Saturday… Mom and Dad were always busy on weekends. Hell for them, really. Want to know why? Ask them, I don't know either.
Maybe it was Sabby. Yes, it must be her. I actually felt excited maybe because I missed annoying her.
I rushed out of my room, wearing my most radiant smile. If she was stressed, my smile would surely irritate her. She hated my smile. She should be thankful I didn't waste it on her, considering how rarely I smiled at anyone else.
But as I went down the stairs, my smile faded instantly.
And I froze. What the hell was he doing here?!
Before they could see me or before he could see me, I ducked out of sight, trying to calm my racing heart.
What was wrong with me? I was supposed to get back at him! But around him, my heartbeat always went crazy.
"What are you doing there?" I jumped. One eyebrow raised, hands on her hips, Sabby. A witch! How did she sneak up on me? Were there secret passages in this house I didn't know about?
"—earlier?" It was only then I realized she'd been speaking for a while.
"Huh?" I played dumb, though honestly, I hadn't heard her. She rolled her eyes. I must've inherited that from her.
"I said, let's go downstairs. There's someone special I want you to meet." What if I told you I already know your 'special someone'? I wanted to say it, but I held back.
"I'm tired, Sabby. I want to sleep."
Sabby. Why had I never called her Sister? Only in my head. Whenever I tried to say it out loud, something always lodged in my throat, stopping me. Yes, I was shameless.
"O-okay then. I'll go. He's… w-waiting."
She looked away, leaving me confused. Why did it feel like such a big deal for her to introduce this 'special someone'?
Was there something between them? No. Impossible. But why not? Because he doesn't deserve Sabby!
And who does? You?
Tch. No way. I didn't want him for her.
I returned to my room and collapsed onto the bed. What was happening to me? Do I need to see a doctor? A psychiatrist?
I forced myself to sleep, but my mind kept wandering to the one person I least wanted to think about.
Maybe he put a spell on me. With his maddening looks, who wouldn't think that? Well, how should I know? Maybe he did. I shut my eyes again.
But I couldn't sleep!