Pretty Hurts

Joanna's POV

IT'S MORNING, I thought to myself, with a groan.

I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn’t freaking open.

I’m currently blind! Time to panic!

“Help! My eyes are stuck! They won’t open!” I yelled helplessly.

“Shut up, bitch!” Elvis grumbled from his room. “I’m trying to sleep.”

After some of the sleep fog faded from my mind, I rubbed my eyes and tried to open them again. I immediately regretted my decision, squinting hard at the brightness of the sun streaming through the open window in my room.

“Damn,” I growled, realizing the curtains were wide open, as my eyes slowly adjusted to the morning light.

I rolled out of bed, dragging my feet to the bathroom and swallowing some paracetamol with a glass of water. I returned to collapse on my bed, waiting for my headache to ease up, when I heard my phone ping.

“Who the hell!” I muttered, grabbing it from my nightstand and checking on the time. “Holy shit.”

Elvis and I had managed to sleep in until noon.

As my eyes started to close again, my phone dinged again and reminded me of an incoming text.

Unknown number: Hey B.

Yup, I had saved Mystery Guy’s number even though I didn’t know anything about him and he apparently knew everything about me.

Me: Hey.

Unknown number: Rough night?

Me: You can say that.

Unknown number: How was the party?

Me: How did you know I was at a party?

I frowned at his text, wondering how he knew where I was last night.

Unknown number: Lucky guess. Plus, I was at a loud party last night. I’m sure everyone showed up. Even you.

Me: Too lucky for a guess because I’m not really a fan of parties. Although last night was an exception because I was kinda forced to go. Apparently, I needed to unwind.

Unknown number: LOL. How’s the hangover coming?

Me: Don’t ask.

Although my head hurt a little bit less, but I still wanted to bang it against something if it stopped the incessant pounding.

Unknown number: Ha ha. I’m gonna leave you to rest your pretty head a bit then.

Me: LOL. Thank you.

Unknown number: You are welcome.

Me: Bye.

Unknown number: Later, babe.

I locked back my phone and glanced at myself to see I was still wearing the same outFt from last night. —or some reason, I remembered everything when I got drunk.

Most people forgot whatever they did, but I was the complete opposite. And right now I wished I could forget because I remembered everything ? I meant everything, everything.

I remembered everything from the time I rode with Tony in his car to the party, where we met up with our friends at the entrance before being abandoned. I remembered what went on with him before I doozed off in his G-wagon. Yeah, I remembered it all.

I rubbed my face with my palms and groaned, remembering how handsome, tall, and sexy the guy was from last night.

How it felt to be held by him.

How it felt to grind on his groin.

How turned on I became when I twerked for him.

And how good the kiss was.

Argh! I mentally groaned, pulling on my braids and trying to shake away the strange feelings.

I didn’t regret anything, but I regretted not knowing his name and probably not being able to recognize him in broad daylight.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I chastised myself and hit my head with my pillow. A question suddenly popped into my mind ? how the hell did I get home? Who let him in? I didn’t remember telling him my address or opening the door for him.

I was pretty sure my parents were on a date last night and probably came home after I did. Sometimes, they rent a hotel room for the night and return in the morning. So, that leaves only one person.

“Elvis! Elvis!” I yelled, rushing to his room to find it empty. “Elvis!” I stormed down the stairs, continuing to scream his name.

“I’m here, woman!” my brother snapped, appearing from the kitchen. “You don’t need to scream down this house.”

“Who brought me home last night?” I asked, massaging my forehead and attempting to calm myself down.

“A guy.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Well, no shit!” I exclaimed. “I know it was a guy. I meant who?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

I glared at him before I repeated myself, emphasizing each word for clarity and importance. “Elvis! I meant Do. You. Know. Who. Brought. Me. Home?”

“Yes.”

“Can you elaborate more?” My mind started ways to torture him until he spilled his guts.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Ask him.”

“What do you mean? Ask him?” I yelled before hissing at the pain in my head. “I don’t know him! Heck, I don’t even know his name.”

“I know you don’t.” My brother winked.

“One day, Elvis, one day I swear I will end up strangling you,” I threatened before storming off in anger.

“You love me!” He called out as I marched up the stairs like an elephant.

“Unfortunately!” I threw back at him and entered my room, slamming the door behind me.

*****

I rolled to my side as I blindly searched for my phone which was ringing.

Ha! Found it! I smirked, raising it up like a trophy even though no one was around to witness the crazy moment. I tapped the answer sign and grinned at the “girlfriend” tag on the screen.

At least someone can brighten my day, I thought.

“Hey best girl ever!” Tenda yelled, nearly destroying my ear drums as the phone was placed directly on my ear. I shook my head at her hyper attitude and withdrew the phone before replying.

“Hey, babe. What’s up?”

“I’m fine,” she said excitedly. “How about a sleepover tonight?”

“Um,” I stalled, biting off a sharp nail tip.

“Good! I’ll be there by eight!” Tenda chirped brightly, not waiting for my answer.

“What? I didn’t say anything!”

“I know! Bye.”

“But, but ... ” I tried to argue.

“Love you!” she yelled before disconnecting the call.

I growled and glanced at the time. 18:05 What the hell? How the hell did I sleep this long? And why haven’t I eaten anything?

I trudged downstairs and noted the silence.

“Why is this place quiet?” I spoke out loud to the eerily quiet house. Too quiet.

“Mom? Dad?” I called but no answer.

Maybe they’re at a wedding or something, I thought, walking toward the kitchen. “Elvis?”

I had no idea how I missed him leaving the house, but since it was Saturday night, he more than likely went to a party. I shrugged and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and two cookie packs from the cupboard.

After devouring the cookies, I checked the time to see it was :19:15, which meant I had about forty-Fve minutes to get ready before Tenda arrived fifteen minutes early.

Thirty minutes later, I felt comfortable and refreshed like a normal human being, wearing a baggy t-shirt and shorts. Just as I threw myself on the couch to look at my phone, the doorbell rang. I pulled the front door open to find Tenda standing excitedly with a big bag in her arms.

“What’s in there?” I asked, shutting the door closed behind her.

“Alcohol, nails, different colors of nail polishes, oh wait, all colors, five packets of pure bliss, five packets of that milky popcorn they sell at that junction which you love, strawberry and vanilla ice cream, and some clothes to exchange with you,” she blurted out all in one breath, dumping the contents onto the floor in the middle of the living room.

“Wow!” I laughed, glancing at her with a dumbfounded look that she actually brought all this for a sleepover. “You really planned this.”

“Yep, I’ve been planning this for a week now, which is why I didn’t let you back out of it as I was sure you were about to,” she spoke, throwing me a knowing look.

I rolled my eyes at her perky attitude as she began emptying her duffel bag.

“Why is this place so quietK” Tenda polled, noting the silence. “Too quiet if I may say.”

“My words exactly,” I chuckled at her shocked expression. “Your parentsK”

“I don’t know.” I honestly didn’t know where they were. “ElvisK”

“I don’t know. Might be at a party or something,” I said, with a shrug. “I don’t really care as long as he’s safe and not doing anything stupid.”

“So that means I can do thisK”

“Do whatK” I implored suspiciously.

“Do this,” she muttered, jumping on the glass table.

To my surprise, the surface didn’t break or even crack.

“6et’s turn this place up!”

“Yeah, you can do that.” I snickered and joined her, still amazed the

table remained intact as two seventeen-year-old girls danced on it.

*****

Two crazy movies, Fve packets of pure bliss, two tubs of ice cream, and four bottles of alcohol later, Tenda and I were a little bit drunk ? or on a sugar high. I honestly couldn’t tell.

“Go, girl! Go, girl!” We cheered each other on as we twerked and twirled our hips to Taki Taki by D‘ Snake featuring Nardi C, Selena Gomez, and Ozuna.

It was official, we were both drunk and sugar high.

“Wow, I’m tired,” I announced, with a big grin on my face.

“Me too,” Tenda replied, slumping onto the mattress we carried out from my room to the living room.

I turned down the music and joined her on the bed while I munched on some popcorn.

“What next do you have planned?” I quizzed.

“Let's play confessions,” she voiced out, standing up on the mattress, and started bouncing again.

Apparently, her sugar intake was way higher mine.

“Is that even a game?” I asked, rolling my eyes at her suggestion.

“It is now,” she declared, with a frown.

“Okay, you go first then,” I encouraged. “What’s your confession?” Tenda bounced one last time before settling down on the mattress

and facing me. “Don’t freak out, but I did something.”

“Why would I freak out?” I asked a bit confused.

“Because what I did was huge. Like really huge.” She widened her arms for emphasis.

“Spit it out! I’m all ears!” I said eagerly.

“I slept with Tony!” The popcorn I just tossed into my mouth somehow lodged itself in my throat.

Grabbing a bottle of water, I downed the entire thing to wash down the tiny kernel of death. “What did you say?” I asked slowly.

“I had sex with Tony,” she repeated.

“I knew what you meant. I just didn’t want to believe it.” A hysterical laugh broke out as a slight pain spread across my chest.

“See?” Tenda said defensively. “That’s what I meant by don't freak out,’ and now, you’re freaking out.”

I took a deep breath, slowing everything inside me down a notch or two. “Okay, how did it happen?”

“Well, I’ve had feelings for him for a year now, so ... ” she trailed off shyly.

“I know, but you broke the sister code!” I said accusingly, a bit hurt.

“What does the sister code got to do with this?”

“At least you could have told me!” The pain in my chest worsened.

“Oh, like the way you told me you’ve had a crush on him since you started this school?” Tenda spat out angrily. “Long before I even came into the picture.”

“How the hell did you know that?”

“Oh, you thought you could hide it, huh? The others might be blind, but I see through you. I noticed it the first day you introduced us. I saw that scared smitten look in your eyes,” she mocked, with a raised brow.

“Then why the hell didn’t you back off!” I moaned, feeling teardrops wetting my cheeks, as I glared at her.

“Because I fell in love with him, too!”

“You could have just backed off. It’s against the sister code!” I shouted, pushing her onto her back with her head barely missing the tiled floor by an inch.

“You can kill me, but guess what? He loves me too!” She sat back up with a sinister smile on her face.

I threw the empty popcorn bowl at her as a sob burst out of me followed by tears.

“I think I should go,” she said softly as she started restocking the bag of items she brought.

I just sat on the mattress crying my heart out as the pain in my chest threatened to shatter my soul. Tenda’s shuffling around stopped, and the mattress dipped before I was pulled into a warm embrace.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, feeling stupid for crying over a crush. Where was my resolve and strong will against love? I thought, wiping tears from my eyes. How did it break so easily?

“I understand, babe,” Tenda murmured as she continued to pat my back comfortingly. “I’m sorry too for acting like the devil incarnate as I didn’t consider your feelings when I spoke all those harsh words.”

“No, it’s stupid ... crying over a crush,” I protested, pulling away and giving her a slight smile. “Plus, you both are my friends. I should be happy for you two.”

“As I said, it’s okay. I’m sorry, too.”

“I love you,” I blurted out, laughing at our sadness over a guy.

“I love you too, bitch,” she shook her head and joined me in laughing.

I know.” I smiled. “Now, I heard you say you loved him.”

“Stop teasing me.”

“And you said he felt the same way too, did he say it?” I challenged a bit concerned he used her for sex. Everyone knew Tony was a playboy.

“Yes. My heart melted right then.”

“Were you drunk?”

“Tipsy? Yeah. Cut drunk? I don’t think so.” She shrugged casually.

“Because if I was, I wouldn’t remember a thing.”

“True.” I nodded. “I forgot you are the opposite of me when you get drunk. Okay then, was he drunk?”

“Nope. I really don’t think so because I only saw him take half of that drink before we went dancing.”

Tenda beamed as her eyes shone with happiness.

“Alright, I’m just asking to make sure the moment was genuine,” I spoke, my smile sincere.

“It was. We met up this morning and talked about it, and he confirmed it wasn’t a mistake.”

“Eeeeek!” I squealed. “I’m so happy for you, girl.”

I was really happy despite feeling a bit hurt. I Fgured I would be more jealous, but I wasn’t.

What could this mean? I mentally questioned myself, a bit confused.

“Earth to ‘Jo,” she mumbled, clicking her Fngers in my eyesight and snapping me from my scrambled thoughts.

“Oh, sorry, babe,” I apologized in a struggle to hide my confusion.

“Your turn. So, tell me, what’s your confession?” she asked, with a smirk