Bittersweet Affection[COMPLETED]

Hangover

A moan slipped out of my dehydrated lips as I cracked my eyes open. The sunray that glowed inside through a break in the curtain wasn't helping as it added to my already throbbing head.

My stomach became queasy and I scrambled to the bathroom for the umpteenth time and my head, however, felt like a boulder was planted into it. I bent to the height of the water closet, retching into it.

Gripping the toilet seat, I hoisted myself up but regretted it as the feeling of lightheadedness surged through me.

Slowly, I crouched back on the floor and went on all four as I crawled back to my room.

"I'm never drinking again." I winced as I clutched the aspirin left on the bedside table. Luckily a cup, filled with water was next to it, saving me the stress from going into the bedroom again.

I slid the pills inside my mouth, sipping a little water- enough to shove it down as I didn't want to dart into the bathroom again. I lied on the bed and felt my forehead with the back of my palm.

I am burning up.

Is this how a hangover feels like?

My next party drink would be water or nothing at all. I didn't know what came over me last night as I gulped down the content of what was offered to me without asking what it was. Moreover, considering the mischievous smile that had appeared on the bartender's face, I should have backed down.

My eyes clamped shut and instantly flew open again as a loud rap sounded on my door.

Geez, give me some breathing space!

"It's opened," I let out. Rolling over, I enclosed my still thumping head with a pillow.

"This place reeks," Hailey said. I heard the flip-flop she wore as she stepped nearer.

The bed dipped under her weight and I rolled back glancing at her. I was jealous of the way she looks right now. Her turquoise green eyes were not red-rimmed, neither was she experiencing a battering headache.

"You got drunk last night." She stated.

"Obvs," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

She hesitated for several seconds before continuing. "You've also got some embarrassing pictures of yourself going around." She held out her phone. I didn't notice her as she got in. I supported my body with a pillow as she scooted closer. Then, she replayed the videos.

My heart slammed in my ribcage as I saw a video. I was on the pool table and about to peel off my clothes when Kellen rushed forward to stop me. Another one of me planting a kiss on Rey's jaws came up. In the last video, it looks like I and Lee were fighting for Rey's attention as we were seen pushing each other away.

"Oh, no." I moaned. "This can't be happening!"

I was unquestionably too intoxicated to exhibit this behaviour.

Undoubtedly, I would be trending in school right now since the pictures and video were already on Sunnyville's student page.

"What will you do? Your dad called. I guess he saw it but I didn't pick up. I wanted you to talk to him yourself." She explained.

Hailey was thoughtful. If it were to be another person, she would have picked and added more to it. Probably pissing off my dad in the process.

My dad was probably pissed as I imagined the kind of questions that would be running through his mind. His lovely daughter, drunk and embarrassing herself? Or something along the line of, who the heck spiked her drink!?

That was absurd but I didn't laugh because the situation I was in wasn't funny.

"Geez." I facepalmed as I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. No missed call whatsoever which means Kellen was pissed at me, Rey was pisser and Lee was pissiest- if there was any grammar like that.

Goodness, everyone would be. Considering my dad had called, I was in a total mess. Though it looked like I was into Rey in the video, it was under the influence of an intoxicant. Regardless of how I fancied him, I would never snatch him away from Lee.

I dialled Lee's number. It rang and went straight to voicemail, confirming my suspicion. My dad's number was next to dial and apologize for being irrational. After three rings, he picked up.

"Dad, I'm sorry," I said whilst counting to three as I waited for his outburst.

"Darling, don't be. It's a phase we all passed through." He chuckled. "Also, I'm kind of sad my baby is growing way too fast. Don't worry too much about the pictures, they'll be taken down."

During my entire conversation with him, I was tongue-tied since I wasn't expecting him not to be pissed. He was rather amused and cautioned me never to entangle myself in any alcohol during a party.

My finger hovered over Rey's number as I contemplated whether to hit the send button or not. I did anyway and he sounded pissed as I had envisaged, though not at me.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken too much to drink last night. If I had been more cautious, we wouldn't be all over the net."

"It's ain't your fault." He croaked. "It's the b***h that couldn't mind her business." "How are you holding up?"

Warmth flooded into my body at his words. Rey cared even if his mood flips most of the time. The little gestures he expressed towards me made me realize he does care.

"Aside from my embarrassing pictures all over Sunnyville's net and Lee not wanting to pick my call, I guess I'm fine." I sighed.

"Hangover?" "Why would Lee not pick your calls?"

"I took pain relief. I was all over her boyfriend last night and anyone in their right mind would be mad." I prompted, giving a slight shrug though he couldn't see it.

"You were drunk and it isn't your fault. Can I come to pick you up?"

"I guess I'll see her in school. Oh, don't bother yourself. I'll be following my mom." I said, hanging up.

The headache, though obvious, was slight, thanks to the aspirin. I took out a white crop with the inscription 'f**k off' on it. I donned it with a blue pencil skirt and a blue jean jacket. A jean all-star sneakers graced my feet as I stepped out of my room, securing the lock.

"I'm ready," I said whilst meeting Hailey in the kitchen. She had on a long, flowy casual gown with a flowery print design. She let her hair down and her face void of makeup.

"Take this," She handed me a toast and hot tea in a stainless flask.

"Thanks," I muttered, walking out of the door to her car.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Hailey and I walked to the administration block situated beside the classroom block as we alighted from the car. I sat down on the vacant seat in the office and stared at the aged man behind the desk. I had been to this office only twice and it was still the same small cubicle I had known it as. The same creamy colour on the wall. The same mahogany desk situated at a corner with several files, MacBook, a pen case on it and the same old wall clock ticking slowly that hung on it.

My first time was on the first day of my registration whilst the second right now. His hair was the same thin grey layer that was gradually receding at the front above his temple, forming a V shape. His face was void of facial hair, however, slightly wrinkled and had a permanent smile line on it. His bald eyebrow arched at each word Hailey was saying and his intelligent dark eyes wandered to where I sat rigidly glancing at everywhere.

My gaze fixated on him, not because I couldn't back down or I was trying to challenge his authority by looking him straight in the face, it was a crucial time I needed to rise for myself and not be too shy to answer any questions he barks at me.

The worst punishment he could Issue out was a suspension for a week or two but I didn't want that. Despite not being too great academic wise, I had managed to have a clean slate void of suspension.

"I hope such won't surface again as Sunnyvilles values her reputation." The principal said to Hailey and she nodded whilst standing.

"No suspension?" I mumbled frowning.

"Should I issue one?" His bald eyebrows c****d.

"No... No, I'm sorry."

"Yeah." He dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"You should be grateful your dad called him in advance because he had been somewhat hysterical when I received the call."

"Thanks." I escorted her back to her car and waved her off.

I walked back inside, not missing the eyes staring in all directions at me as I moved in.

I bumped into a body as I rounded the corner.

"Hey." Kellen, stretched out a hand to balance me.

"Hi. Thanks for last night."

"You okay?"

I nodded and moved to go to Lee as I sighted her but she hurried past me. My brows furrowed whilst staring at her retreating back. I swivelled glancing at Kellen, his gaze mirrored the same expression on my face.

I presumed she would be angry but not this angry for her to want to avoid me.

Shrugging it off, and stepped to my locker, punched in my code and took out my books.

I walked to the classroom to see Lee had vacated her seat. Why was she avoiding me like a plague?

Perhaps, she needed time to cool off the steam radiating off her but I was wrong as it became intense during recess.

We were at the cafeteria and ever since I joined the popular group, I often sat beside her right whilst Rey to her left but it wasn't so today. She had permitted Alyssa of all people, Alyssa that we both despised to sit there and when I asked for her to move, she scoffed, pretending she didn't hear or see me. Lee didn't say anything about it, embarrassing me in the process. I wished for the floor of the cafeteria to open up and swallow. At least it would save me from the eyes burning through me from left to right.

"Come sit here,"

I swivelled to see Kellen, parting at an empty seat his friend had vacated.

I glanced back at Lee and she glanced away, looking at anywhere but me.

"What's that all about?" Kellen asked.

"I don't even know," I muttered, anger from the embarrassment of Lee not acknowledging me and tears from the pains I was feeling surged through me, threatening to spill out. I shoved it back down whilst blinking back the tears brewing at the back of my eyelid.

"Probably about you kissing Rey?"

"Gosh, I was under the influence of alcohol. It wasn't even a real kiss." I let out an exasperated sigh.

"I wish I could pull the stick out of her ass," I mumbled.

Kellen chuckled lightly and I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't do anything to warrant the sudden coldness." I sniffled.

"Hey, " Kellen gripped my hand, stroking it slowly as I willed myself not to cry. "Don't worry. She's just jealous. She'll come around."

"I hope so," I mumbled. Seeing her laughing at anything Alyssa was whispering to her, was gradually riling me.

A note was passed around to me and I tore it open, reading the content slowly. Even Kellen peeked at it.

Hope you enjoyed the kiss while it lasted? Was scribbled in it. I didn't need to ask who sent it because I know Lee's writing, no matter how twisted she clutched her pen. My gaze landed on Lee and she glared dagger at me.

If she was going to glare at me throughout today, I should as well pretend she didn't exist as well.

The recess ended and we got back to the class. Lee didn't talk to me and it was starting to bother me but I gave her some space. The bell rang, signalling closing time. She dashed out before I could ask her to wait.

I got home after several minutes of waiting to see if Rey would surface to pick me since he does show up unannounced. He didn't and I had to stroll home.

I grabbed my phone for the umpteenth time, dialled Lee's number but reached her voicemail instead. I flung my phone across the room and it clattered on the carpeted floor.

I was frustrated. Lee wasn't talking to me. She didn't want to see me. She thought I was into her boyfriend. Okay, maybe I was, but I never meant for it to break us up.

Picking up the disassembled phone, I coupled it back. Hopefully, it came on and I sent a text to her so we could meet tomorrow to talk things through.

The alarm on my phone went off signalling a reminder I had set to work out with Rey before the commencement of our project which was tomorrow. I had been too busy with school, cheer practice and even the party preparation, I forgot about it.

I wished I had followed my instinct by not attending the party. Hopefully, I would meet with Rey also and plead with him to talk sense into her.