The Sin I Chose

Once upon a hangover

I wake the next morning with the worst headache of my entire existence. The first thing on my mind however is the drop dead gorgeous man who saved me from falling in the pool. His cologne, his blonde hair, and his bright blue eyes float around my foggy memory. Did I imagine him? Was he even real? Still in thought I sit up, clutching my aching head and see Emily sprawled in the bed next to me. I watch her breathing and thank the Lord she survived last night. I make a silent vow I will never allow her to drink this much again and turn to slide out of the bed when I spot Leon sitting in my office chair facing me. A gasp escapes my lips in fright.

Now there is only one of him in my vision I can tell he is still seething. If they could, his amber eyes would burn red.

"Leon" I begin before I am rudely cut off.

"What in the actual f**k were you thinking Kennedy Elise Kilpatrick!?” He shoots out. I go to answer him once more but I don't even get the chance.

"Do you realize how bad last night could have gone? Huh?!" He stands up and stalks over to me at he continues. "You could have been r****, taken, MURDERED. All because you wanted to have fun. Was that fun?! Are you having fun now?"

"Leon Jesus, calm yourself. I understand we went a little too far but you're being so dramatic! Everyone in college does this", I plead my case with him.

"But not you, kennedy!" He moves his arms at me for emphasis as the points at me.

"If you were like everyone you wouldn't have to enroll under a different last name and live in your custom built dorm suite!”

A little annoyed that his voice is causing my headache to worsen, I stand.

"I didn’t ask for this..”

"Well princess, you got it. You know what is expected of you. Quit behaving like you are a normal girl”.

I stop and look at him confused. What does he mean? He stops, his face softening slightly; seeming like he knew those words shouldn't have left his mouth.

“A lot of students on this campus have money and have rich parents who own a business. Why am I different?”

He sighs.

"Just know s**t like that will never happen again or I'Il call Klaus so fast your pretty little face couldn't even start crying", he finishes with slightly less malice before he storms out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

I want to continue this conversation and chase after him, but I note this conversation for later because as curious as I am, I desperately need to use the restroom and eat something so I can get rid of this awful headache. The second mental note I also make is to find out if the handsome blue eyed stranger is real.

The first week of college flew by, and I would be lying if I said I didn't love every single second of it. My favorite part is that though my family was sure my degree needed to be in business, I tacked on a minor in my true passion, art. So far classes have not disappointed. Shockingly Leon slacked up this week with the stalking after we patched things up since Saturday. I know it sounds crazy that he acts like my boyfriend, but he is nothing more than a friend who just cares a little too much; which I’m sure is per daddy’s orders. Just like Dad would love nothing more for me to choose Leon Sussex, I know deep down Leon wants the same thing. I love having Leon in my life, but Friendship is all I want from him. I love him like a brother, and that’s all it will ever be for me. However, with him permanently around I finally get to enjoy my new found freedom. If that's what it takes, I’ll do it. In order to not dampen my luck, I'm staying in on this Friday night and focusing on the paper I already have due on Monday in accounting. I truly don't understand what a paper has to due with numbers, but a grade is a grade. I'm in the kitchen making myself a panini on the stove when Leon, Ray, and Ashton come prancing out of Leon's room dressed in their usual, all black. Ray walks around the island to the fridge and snatches out three waters before tossing them over to the guys.

"Hey guys, want a panini?" I ask them as I turn my sandwich over in the pan.

"You mean a glorified grilled cheese?" Ashton asks me as the guys chuckle beside him.

"Nah KK, we're good. We have somewhere to be", Leon answers for the lot of them as he makes his way next to me.

"Where are you heading?"

"Oh just out. You plan on staying in tonight?"

I want to inquire further because I know they go out and do work too just like my brother for my father's company but every time I do I just get another vague answer about why a lot of shipments and equipment come at night. Dad has always kept me in the dark, so I know he has always had Kace, Leon, and the guys do the same. I scoff.

"For sure. Don't want a last weekend repeat", I laugh at him. Leon chuckles along with me.

"Well if you need us, call and I'll be back as soon as I can".

He reaches over and hugs me from the side and heads to the door as the other two send a wave my direction. I Really want to haggle him on where he is slicking off to at 10:30 PM since its super late to be working, but honestly this paper needs my attention more than my curiosity tonight.

I get done cooking my sandwich and get my computer out to write my paper, but when I get time to myself, still all I can think about is the boy with the ocean blue eyes.

So lost in thought I din’t notice Emily emerge from her bedroom dressed to the nine.

"what are you doing not dressed?" She squeals at me. I jump, startled by her sudden outburst.

"I told you earlier at lunch I was staying in today to finish this paper" I exclaim.

"Just because I'm here living the dream doesn't mean I'm giving up my perfect GPA!"

“I thought that was a joke! Well, If you change your mind, this is the addy. One of the cute boys from the frat house is taking me." she says as she types out something on her cell as mine goes off with a text confirming the address.

"Have fun!" I call after her as she makes her way to the door. "Oh and Em!" I call after her. She turns around right as she hits the door.

"You look hot!!"

Her grin widens and she winks at me before slipping out. I considered asking her to stay home with me to prevent her from getting as s**t faced as she was last weekend. But who am I too judge?!

Hours pass me by alone in the living room and still no paper written. I catch myself day dreaming of the mystery man time and time again. At this point I’m sure my brain made him up when my phones buzzes away. Emily's face flashes across the screen.

“Heeyyyyyy” I hear on the other end and know already she's been drinking.

"You okay..?" I drag out and wait for a reply.

"Yes ma'am! But do you think maybe you could come get me? It's the same Address I sent to you earlier!" She blows out. I put the phone on speaker and open the address in my maps to see the distance. 15 minutes isn't bad. I explain to Em that I'm heading out to get her now. Throwing on a hoodie, jeans, and my chucks I head to the door keys in hand when I stop quickly to type out a text to Leon explaining what I'm doing and that I will be right back. Not that I answer to him, but I do it to save myself the fight later if he returns home and doesn't see me in our suite.

I head to my white Range Rover and enjoy my playlist until I get to the house... or well, small mansion. I'm used to top of the line, but I'm just shocked someone actually pays this just so their child could go to college. But my father remodeled a whole dorm floor into a suite, so who am I to Judge once again. I shut the car off and walk up to the door and tap the knocker. No response. I ball up my small fist and give the door three hard bangs. Waiting a few moments with nothing, I lift my fist again to bang on it when it swings open.

I am frozen with shock as I look up. There he is.