Chapter 10
A sweet, buttery smell wakes me from my sleep.
Sunday mornings are when my mom usually makes us pancakes.
I reach for my phone, expecting a text from Kai.
He usually sends me both a good night and good morning text.
He must still be asleep. It’s only ten o’clock.
We left the party at four in the morning.
I’m surprised I’m awake. It’s good to wake up early so I don’t throw my mom off.
I don’t want her wondering why I keep oversleeping and taking naps after school.
Me: Good morning, handsome.
This is the first time I’ve sent a good morning text to Kai. He always beats me to it.
I stumble out of bed and put on a pair of pajamas before making my way over to the bathroom to wash off last night’s makeup. I was way too tired to change into pajamas and wash my face when I got home. Good thing my mom never came into my room.
My head throbs as I make my way downstairs to the kitchen.
It’s probably from drinking last night. It's not as bad as it could have been. I’ve had worse.
The sweet, buttery smell gets stronger the closer I get.
I take a seat at the table and gaze at the strawberries and bananas that are cut up and nicely placed on a plate next to a bowl of whipped cream.
“Good morning, Blakely.”
I lift my head from my hands as my mom comes over and sets a plate of pancakes in the middle of the table. “Are you still tired?”
“I feel like I’m getting a headache.” I don’t feel hungover, though. It’s probably the lack of sleep mixed with the alcohol.
“Maybe you need to eat.”
I serve myself a pancake, spread butter all over the top surface, and top it with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and syrup. Sugar overload. Maybe this will help ease my head.
“The princess has arrived.” In walks Brynlee with a Cinderella dress on. It’s a Halloween dress she wore last year, and she still insists on wearing it.
My mom giggles at her entrance.
“I haven’t seen Paige lately. Is everything okay with the two of you?”
“Yes. Why?” Paige and I are usually inseparable. Since I’ve been sleeping after school and sneaking out on the weekends, we haven’t hung out as much. Well, not during the day, at least.
“You always ask to go to her house after school, or she comes here.”
I didn’t think it would be noticeable. I hardly thought about it until now.
Without making eye contact, I shrug my shoulders and continue eating. I'm hoping she drops it.
Paige was still so drunk last night by the time I wanted to go home.
She didn’t want to leave. She and Owen were still dancing.
Owen said he would find a ride for her when they finished hanging out.
After running from the cops, I was way too tired to stay up any later.
Kai found us a ride, and we both went home.
Me: I hope ur hungover. If U R I’m laughing inside.
Paige laughed her ass off at me when I was hungover. It’s only fair.
Paige: Shut up B
Paige: Nd by B I mean BITCH …not your name B.
I giggle inside. I don’t want to be obvious, but it’s hard to control my laughter.
Me: That’s what u get for making fun of me.
Paige: I feel like death. At one point, I was debating asking my mom 2 take me 2 the Er. I haven’t slept. I keep throwing up. I didn’t think someone could throw up as much as I have. Is this how you felt?
I cringe at her text. Karma is a bitch.
Me: I wasn’t that bad. How much did u drink?
Paige: The night is still a little fuzzy.
Paige: I think I have 2 go puke again.
Me: Have fun
After breakfast, Kai texted me and asked if I’d go on a date with him. He said he wants to go on a proper date instead of just sneaking around. Of course, mom said yes but demanded to meet him first.
“This is embarrassing. My mom wants to meet you before she’ll let me go to the movies with you,” I tell Kai through his rolled down window as he comes to a stop in front of the house.
“That’s not embarrassing,” Kai says as he turns the key to shut the ignition off. He gets out of the car, rocking black skinny jeans and Vans. He's wearing a plain black T-shirt. I can’t help but bite my bottom lip—he’s so hot.
I really hope Kai likes my outfit. I put on my favorite Hollister collared shirt with a white tank top underneath that has lace at the top and bottom. I paired it with my skinny jeans and black flats.
“Mom!” I yell as we walk back into my house.
“In here.”
We walk into the living room to find my mom reading on the couch and Brynlee, still in her Cinderella dress, playing with her Barbies on the floor.
"Mom, this is Kai.”
“Oh, I didn’t know he was here already.” She places her book down on the couch and stands up.
I roll my eyes and try to hide it by looking away. “Kai, this is my mom, Brooke.”
He reaches in and shakes my mom’s hand. This is embarrassing. I know Kai isn’t that much older than me, but he’s way more mature. I hope he’s not thinking I’m not mature enough for him.
“Nice to meet you,” he says.
“And this is my little sister, Brynlee.” I point toward her. She’s still consumed by her Barbies and has no care in the world.
She gives us a side eye and speaks in her tiny voice, “I’m Cinderella.”
“Nice to meet you, Cinderella.”
She places her Barbies down and looks up at Kai. “Are you the one that makes my sister smile at her phone so much?”
My forehead creases at her question. When does she see me smile at my phone?
“I hope so.”
“She’s always looking at her phone and smiling,” Bryn says.
My cheeks heat. I raise my brows at Bryn, signaling her to shut up, although I know she has no clue what I’m trying to discreetly tell her.
“What?” she asks, looking at me.
Kai turns to face me, and I quickly drop my brows and smile. This is embarrassing. First, my mom, and now my little sister.
“Okay. We’re going to go,” I say, already walking out of the room and tugging Kai behind me.
“When are you going to be home?” my mom yells.
“My curfew time!” I yell over my shoulder.