TTEOTB -- Ch. 14

Chapter 141

“Surprise!” I heard what sounded like a million voices roar when I finally stepped into the house. 2

I stumbled backwards even though I was expecting it. Cole caught me, I looked up at him and he smiled. Someone grabbed my hands and pulled me forewords. 3

“Hi, Anika, happy birthday.” Aiden was an inch from my face, his hands were warm. 4

“H-hey, thanks.” I said, smiling. He smelled really nice. 5

“Anika, Anika!” Quinn’s tiny voice came at me along with a big hug, “Happy birthday!” I looked down at her and saw the hugest smile ever. 6

Everyone else greeted me and said their happy birthdays. The decorations were pretty cool, looked like Teigan might have done them.7

Soon enough the party was in full swing. Arianna’s kick-ass music was bouncing off every wall in the house, everyone was dancing and Cole was the most beautiful thing in sight. 8

“Want something to drink?” I heard Cole’s voice yell over the music. 9

I nodded, smiling like a loon. He was talking to me and that was enough to make my heart soar. We walked into the large kitchen where Cole pulled down two glasses and poured us both some Smirnoff. Raspberry. My favorite. 10

He was laughing. I was laughing. Everyone was laughing. The sweet fumes filled the household; I’d never been high before and honestly never thought I would ever be. Until that night of course, it was the greatest feeling ever. Not as great as Cole’s skin against mine. That was the best. 11

Arianna had left the room for a bit with Donnie, I decided to go check on them when I finally got myself together. Tip-toeing towards the kitchen I heard Donnie’s whispers become louder, I stopped at the door and eavesdropped. 12

“I told you what to do with it!” I heard him say at a level that was meant for Arianna’s ears only. 13

“I know. I will.” Arianna sounded sad. 14

“It will be done by the end of winter break or I’ll get rid of it myself, got it!?” He asked sternly. 15

“Yes.” She said. 16

I really didn’t know what they were talking about but knowing Donnie it wasn’t good. Not wanting to take on this depressed state I went back to the sweet fumes and my beautiful angel. 17

As soon as I came back he stood up and asked me to join him outside. I nodded and he took my hand, we walked out into the cool December air. Cole lit cigarette and inhaled deeply. 18

“Want one?” He asked, exhaling.19

“Sure,” I said, teeth chattering. 20

He took another one out of the package and handed it to me. 21

“You’ve never had one before?” He chuckled, through the clenched teeth over his cigarette. 22

I shook my head no. 23

“I can tell, you look lost.” He laughed again, lighting it for me. “Just take a drag and try not to inhale too deeply.” He shrugged. 24

I did what he said and started to choke. 25

He was laughing so hard “Ar-Are… hahaha! Are you… okay?” He spat out. 26

“Yeah,” I coughed. 27

“Okay, try again.” He told me.28

I did and this time I didn’t choke. It felt good. It still burned a little bit, but it was good. 29

“Cold?” He asked.30

I nodded, shivering. He put out his cigarette and wrapped his arms around my waist. After finishing mine, I put my hands over his and leaned my head back into the crook of his neck, breathing in a mix of cologne and smoke. He was so warm, I was happy I left my hoodie inside. Our bodies fit together perfectly, as did our hands. 31

“Come with me…” he whispered softly into my ear, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into the house. 32

“Where are we going?” I giggled. 33

He didn’t answer as we walked up the stairs and into a bedroom that I guessed was his; I couldn’t make much out in the darkness. 34

“After you,” he smiled, motioning to the bed.35

I giggled and sat, grabbing his hands and pulling him down with me. I fell back onto the bed and his body followed mine. I continued on giggling on like a lunatic but he didn’t seem to mind. He brushed the stray hairs out of my face.36

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he asked, kissing my neck. I blushed and was thankful to the darkness that he couldn’t see. 37

I could feel goose bumps appear on my skin as his lips trailed my neck and chest. I wished he wouldn’t ever stop. I’d never felt like this in my life before and I never wanted it to go away. His hands went up my shirt and my hips lifted up into his as his fingers trailed up my stomach, then back down again and up my back. His fingers fumbled with the clip of my bra.38

“Stop…” I moaned. It all felt great and I knew I was falling for him, but I wasn’t ready for this. 39

He pulled his hands from under my shirt and wrapped them around me, laying his head on my chest, “Sorry,” he whispered, “Only when you’re ready.” 40

Cole has to be the sweetest boy I’d ever met. 41

“At least that’s what you think.” Where the hell did he come from? I haven’t heard from him in a while…42

“You’re going to fall flat on your face like always.” I become tense and my fists clench.43

“What’s wrong, baby?” Cole asked.44

“He’s using you.” he hissed in my ear. 45

“Nothing.” I answered through clenched teeth. 46

“Are you sure?” he asked, “You’re a bit tense…” he said, as he propped himself up, leaned and kissed me. It wasn’t just any kiss either. It was soft and warm. I kissed him back hard and he followed suit. I felt his tongue against my lips and I parted mine willingly. His tongue massaged mine as I massaged his and—47

“Whore.” I heard him whisper. Out of anger, I accidentally bite down hard on Cole’s tongue. He pulled back fast putting a hand over his mouth. 48

“I am so sorry!” I told him frantically getting up from under him and heading towards the door, “I have to go.” 49

“What? No. It’s okay, really.” He reached out for me with blood stained fingers but I was already gone. 50

“You can’t do anything right, what’s wrong with you?” He snarled.51

“I don’t know!” I screamed, running through the living room and out the front door to Arianna’s locked car.52

I slid down the side of the car, holding myself trying to keep warm. I shook fiercely as tears came and my breathing became uncontrollable. 53

“Anika!” I heard Arianna’s voice call my name as her arms wrapped around me firmly trying to hold me still.54

“I.. I.. I can’t do... do anything right…” I spluttered through buckets of tears. 55

“Yes you can.” Arianna stroked my hair like Mrs. Costa did. 56

“I can’t. I really can’t.” I stopped shaking and looked up at her. 57

“Anika!” I heard Cole call my name this time, “Are you okay?”58

“Yeah,” I said getting up trying to wipe the tears from my now puffy eyes and swollen face, “I’m fine.” 59

Cole came over to hug me but I backed up. I was definitely not in the mood to be touched. 60

“What’s wrong?” He asked me.61

“Don’t worry about it.” I told him.62

Arianna got up as everyone else came out of the house. 63

“What’s going on?” Anabelle drawled. 64

“Nothing,” Arianna told her, “Everyone go back inside. Anika and I are leaving though.” 65

Everyone said their ‘good byes’ and final ‘happy birthdays’ with intoxicated voices and then headed back inside to indulge some more. 66

“Hey, wait, Anika!” Aiden came out from the house carrying a small package in his hands. He gave me a big hug and I guess I actually wanted it because I didn’t push him off. I held him for awhile. 67

“Happy birthday,” he whispered, kissing my cheek. 68

I smiled and blushed, thanking the dark for not letting him see. Aiden pulled away and then put the package in my hands, smiling.69

“Thank you.” I said and then turned away to get in the car. 70

* * * *71

“Wow, that’s really pretty.” Arianna said, turning the diamond ring back and forth between her index finger and thumb. 72

“I know,” I said watching it sparkle in the light, “I should get him something too.” 73

“Like what?” She asked, placing the ring in my palm.74

“I don’t know. Maybe a new lip ring?” I shrugged and slipped the ring on my finger. 75

Arianna laughed, “How about you get him a necklace?” She suggested. 76

“Hm, good idea.” I said, yawning, “Bed time.”77

“No! Wakey, wakey!” Arianna exclaimed jumping up and down on my bed.78

“No,” I said, “Sleepy, sleepy.”79

“No, tell me what was going on tonight.” She said lying down on one of my pillows. 80

“Don’t worry about it…” I said. 81

“Tell me.” 82

“Ugh! Its just nothing I do is right! Nothing I say is right! Everyone hates me… I’m destined for failure.” I blubbered, crying again. 83

“That’s right, hah hah hah.” He chuckled in my ear. 84

I shook my head hard, clutching it between my hands. I was breathing hard. I hate him. I hate him so much. 85