by Raathi Chota
“Dude, not again.” He sighed, then came into the room with a can of beer and a glass of water.
“You’re so kind.” I sighed as he set the glass on the table.
“Nuh-uh. Go wash your mouth. I don’t want you to talk when your breath reeks like shit,” he said as he opened the can. I groaned as I got up and walked to his bathroom. I washed my face as well as my mouth, then walked back into the living room and noticed that he was smoking a cigarette.
“Where’s your roommate?” I asked, because the last time I came here, his roommate went all ape shit on me being too drunk to handle.
“Gone for the weekend,” he replied as I sat on the sofa. “What the hell you doing here?”
“Went to a party,” I said, then grabbed the can.
“No shit,” he retorted as he exhaled the smoke.
“Are you gonna be sarcastic the whole time and complain or listen to my shit ass night?” I slammed the can down in annoyance.
“Dude, I always listen. Remember that one time you were ranting about this guy who thought he had a bigger dick than you?”
“Oh yeah, thanks, bro.” I giggled then sent him a wink. “Well, we went to this lame-ass party, got into a fight, and, well…got kicked out.”
“We?” He raised a brow. My eyes widened at the thought of Blake entered my mind.
“Oh, shit…I forgot Blake.” I chuckled. “He’ll find his way.”
“Mm…dude, you okay from the other night? I thought you’d be dead,” Keene said as he stared at me.
“Well, I think I’m alive.”
“Unfortunately,” he said, to which I laughed. “How’s Lana?”
“She’s dating the fucker now.” I squinted my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me before that they’re friends?”
“I’m not your spy,” he said, then crushed the cigarette in the ashtray.
“They’re not gonna last,” I muttered.
“Dude, would you stop? She’s not yours…never was, never will be,” Keene snapped as he glared at me. “That night when you two fucked, you knew it would be the last time you could control her, now she’s wit—”
“Shut up, Keene.”
“No. Last year you had your chance, and you let it slip right through your fingers.” He pushed himself off the seat so that I looked up to him. “I know you don’t believe in love and all that shit, but girls do, and you acted like a dick!” His chest rose as his huffs filled the room. I stared at him with a blank look, which made him angrier. “Now you’re all protective and shit just because you hate the guy.”
“Because I care about her!” I yelled.
“Yeah, in that way,” he mumbled.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“You care about her in that protective fuck buddy, best friend way, but she…” He trailed off then collapsed into the armchair and stared at the opposite wall. “Dude, that night when the car flipped, you should’ve seen her reaction…she wanted to kill Blake. The way she ran to the car like it was the only way to escape and then the look she had when she saw you…she cares about you, Levi. A lot.”
“I know she does. I just don’t see an us. She deserves so much better,” I mumbled, then turned to Keene. “My life is too fucked up right now, and I don’t want to involve Lana. She has her whole life ahead of her. She’s even going to Yale.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know,” I said as a smile appeared on my lips. “She’s been dreaming about Yale since ninth grade.”
“Maybe this Benny dude is the one.”
“Fuck no,” I snapped. “My princess deserves much more.”
“Okay, you’re still drunk. You better not call her that in front of Benny,” Keene snorted.
“Whatever, but she’ll always be my princess. I’ll just have to accept that there’ll be more than one knight trying to save her.”
The room filled with silence as I stared at the ground. I thought this year would be like any other year when we visited, yet this year had been absolute shit for me. Then coming back to Illinois suddenly felt better and more like home. A loud knock broke the silence as I glanced up to see Keene walk to the door. He opened it and let out a long groan as he left it open and walked back to the armchair. I watched as Lana stormed in with Blake behind her. They looked pissed.
“Hey, guys!” I waved.
“Dude, we’ve been looking for you for the past hour,” Blake stated as he leaned against the wall.
“How’d you find me?” I chuckled as I drank the beer in one gulp.
“I figured you were with Keene, plus we just followed the barf smell.” Lana gagged.
“Aww, you know my barf smell.” I rested my hand over heart. “I’m touched, princess.”
“Well, come on.” Lana sighed as she walked toward the door then spun around. I let out a loud groan as I stood up too quickly, and I lost my balance and fell. I face planted on the floor and heard the faint snickers.
“Not funny. Help me,” I mumbled into the floor as I raised my arm. I was pulled back onto my feet as Blake wrapped my arm around his shoulder, then his arm around my waist as he held me up. “Thanks, bro.” I gave him a faint smile. He grumbled beside me as we walked toward the door. We greeted Keene, and he said he might see us tomorrow. I blinked rapidly as we walked toward the stairs. We reached the stairs, and Lana suddenly stopped as she looked ahead. We followed her gaze to see the barf everywhere.
“Dude, you’re gross.” Blake chuckled as he tried to walk through the barf. It took us five minutes to get down the stairs as we tried to avoid the barf. I glanced up to see my car, and my blank expression immediately changed as I forced myself off Blake and darted toward it. I pressed myself against the car as I embraced it.
“I thought I lost you,” I cooed and squished my cheek against the window.
“Wait, so you ran off because you were looking for your car?” Lana asked as she opened the door. I nodded and climbed in the back with her while Blake walked to the driver’s side. He let out a dry laugh as we got comfortable in my car.
“Dude, your car was right in front of the house,” he said as he started the engine. I threw my head back and laughed as we drove through downtown. Lana was quiet beside me as she rested her head against the window. I glanced up in the rearview mirror to see Blake’s stare. I sent him a questioning look as I gestured to Lana, but he shrugged. He turned on the radio to break the tense atmosphere. I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she turned. It was the first time tonight I got an actual look at her. She looked exhausted, the bags under her eyes darkened. I motioned her to come closer as I raised my left arm and placed it on the seat. She raised a brow as she pushed her glasses up. I rolled my eyes as I sank in my chair.
“Come on, you’re tired, and that looks uncomfortable,” I pouted. “I won’t tell Benny.”
Lana let out a sigh and rolled her eyes as she shifted next to me and placed her head on my chest. I smiled as I ran my fingers through her hair. When I looked up, I saw Blake with a cigarette between his lips. I tapped him on the shoulder as he looked at me through the mirror. I held two fingers up as I blew through them, and he grinned, then threw his pack over his shoulder. I took out my lighter as Lana took out a cigarette from the pack and held it between her lips. I lit it and took it from her after she took a drag. I threw the box in front, and Blake caught it as I held the cigarette between my lips. I blew out smoke rings until I felt a poke on my chest. I glanced down to see Lana patiently waiting. I playfully rolled my eyes as I removed the cigarette from my lips and lowered it. She took a drag. I smirked. Ten minutes later after driving with the radio on and sharing a cigarette, we arrived at the Willsons’ home. I got out to see Blake’s Harley parked in the front.
“All right, see you guys later,” he mumbled as we stood on the porch.
“Thanks,” Lana replied as he walked to his motorcycle. Blake smiled as he got onto the bike. I raised a brow. I turned to Lana by the door. We walked into the house, a
nd I immediately collapsed onto the sofa. Lana leaned against the doorframe as she stared at me.
“Did you guys fuck in my car then come and get me?” I asked. Her eyes slanted.
“What the hell? No! We were arguing most of the time, and he almost drove into another car,” Lana grumbled as she spun around and walked toward the stairs.
“Thanks for tonight,” I called out. “Love you.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see her. A blank expression filled her face as she backed up the stairs. A sigh escaped from her lips as she glanced up at me and said, “Love you too.”
Chapter Eight
Lana
I pushed myself off the bed as I let out a yawn. After last night’s event, I went to bed immediately. I walked to the bathroom and brushed my teeth as well as my hair, then opened the door. Voices filled my ears as I strolled into the kitchen.
“Morning, everyone,” I greeted. Everyone except for Levi sat at the table eating eggs and sausages. I sat down next to my dad as I dished up.
“Morning. What time did you come home last night? I heard a commotion downstairs,” Mom asked as she set a fresh plate of bacon on the table.
“Err…I had to go and get Levi from Keene’s place,” I mumbled, then drank my orange juice.
“What was he doing there?” Richard asked at the same time Levi walked in. I shrugged in response, then turned to Levi. He sat opposite me with a tired look as he ran a hand through his dark hair. He let out a yawn and turned to my dad.
“Morning, Bobby!” He grinned. Dad rolled his eyes as he sipped his coffee.
“Lana, dear, you have to start making those cinnamon rolls soon. We bought all the ingredients,” Mom said.
“That’s another reason why we still come every year,” Richard said. Jade hit him with the dishcloth. I made different cinnamon rolls every year, and everyone loved them, but they took time to make since I made them from scratch.
“Ooh, can you make those ones with the chocolate sauce over them?” Levi chimed in with a bright look on his face.
“I like the ones with the nuts,” Richard added.
“What about the ones where there’s custard insi—”
“Christmas is, like, in a week. I don’t think I’ll finish it all this weekend,” I said.
“Well, then you better start soon, dear,” Jade stated.
“Yeah, I’ll go shower now,” I said, then got up. I walked into my room, made my bed, and took out an outfit for the day. I decided on something dull but warm since our house wasn’t that warm, even with the heaters. I pulled my hair up into a bun as I looked at myself in the mirror. I wore a white, long-sleeved shirt and a maroon skirt with black leggings. I slipped on a pair of black ankle boots and my glasses, then walked down.
Two hours later, we were still busy. We were on the fourth batch with the other two in the oven. Keene came over, but he didn’t help at all and said he’s only here to keep us company and get free cinnamon rolls. Dad and Richard were in his study since Dad had a TV set up, so they watched sports while Mom and Jade went Christmas shopping. Keene bobbed his head to a song on the radio while I folded the dough. I felt my thigh vibrate as “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance played. I tried to get my phone from my skirt pocket, but my hands were dirty. Levi approached me with a smirk plastered on his face. He pressed himself against my back as his hand ran up my thigh to get to my phone. A shiver jerked up my spine. He pressed his chest against my back and answered my phone.
“Lana and Levi’s disposable dildos, she sucks ’em, and I chuck ’em. How may we pleasure you today?”
My eyes widened as I pushed him, then spun around to hear the person’s response. I paled at the thought of it being Benny, Miranda, or even Uncle Griff.
“Well, yes, I haven’t received mine yet. Can I get a refund? Cash won’t do. I think I’ll need her to com—”
“Oh my god!” I shrieked as Carter spoke in a horrible British accent. They laughed as I shook my head and got back to work. “Get ready, we’re coming,” Carter said as Levi put the phone on speaker.
“Are we still on the sexual jokes or are you actually coming?” Keene asked.
“I wish…Aidan and Liam want to go to that stupid Wonderland shit,” Carter muttered.
“It’s not shit!” Aidan yelled in the background.
“See you sexy fuckers in five,” he said, then ended the call. Keene helped me clean up while Levi took selfies on my phone. We were done just in time as we heard cars honk. I slipped on my coat and a maroon scarf, then followed Keene and Levi out the door.
“Shit!” Keene yelled. I glanced up and noticed Keene fell, reason being that he was met by snow. A smile crept on my face as I glanced around the snow that surrounded our garden.
“Dude, snow angels!” Liam exclaimed as he ran up to Keene and plopped down beside him. Keene glared at Liam, who leisurely made snow angels while he struggled to get up.
“Dude, you suck.” Aidan piped in as he ran toward Liam and Keene. We watched as he let out a frustrated groan then stared at the two brunettes.
“You both swallow!”
I laughed as I walked toward Aidan’s car where Benny and Miranda were. She started to sniff the air as Benny wrapped an arm around my waist.
“You making cinnamon rolls?” Miranda wiggled her brows.
“Yeah, my dad is keeping an eye on them so we can have some when we come back.” I smiled.
“Hey, Lana,” Tiffany greeted as she waved from Miranda’s car. I waved back as I spotted Melissa and Nick by the vehicle. I glanced at Aidan and Liam, who walked toward us.
“I see your date went well,” I said to Aidan, who smiled at Tiffany. His cheeks reddened when he thanked me again, then walked to her.
“Yeah, it’s easier,” Ethan said as I tilted my head. He saw my confused look and laughed. Benny turned to me as I rested my head on his shoulder.
“We’re going in three cars, so it’s quicker,” Ethan mumbled as everyone got into a car. All the girls piled into one car while Benny, Liam, Nick, and Marcus got into Aidan’s car. Levi decided to take his car as Keene, Blake, Ethan, and Carter drove with him.
“You guys are all dating jocks now, wow,” Tiffany commented from the backseat. Her date with Aidan must’ve gone well since she decided to come.
“I know, right?” Miranda smiled. “Everyone goes for the basketball players, but I enjoy my soccer player.”
“Speaking of our wonderful boyfriends…” Melissa trailed off as she looked at me. “Where were you two last night?”
“We didn’t feel like a party, so we just chilled at his place and watched Netflix.”
“Netflix and chill already?” Tiffany gasped as Miranda squealed. My eyes widened as I furiously shook my head at the three girls who squealed and asked the most inappropriate questions.
“No, it wasn’t like that! We just watched a few movies and cud—”
“Yeah right,” they said in unison. I buried my head in my hands from embarrassment as they laughed.
We arrived at the park to see the huge Winter Wonderland. Booths sold almost everything, there were carnival food, rides, an ice skating rink, and shows took place. We walked around and took in the atmosphere. I walked hand in hand with Benny as we followed our group.
“Oh my gosh, Lana, look—those hats I was telling you about!” Miranda squealed as we walked through the booths.
“I like the black one,” Melissa referred to the Russian hats.
“The white one will look beautiful with your hair,” Miranda said to Tiffany.
“You think so?” She chuckled as the guys groaned.
“Are you guys literally gonna stop at every booth, trying on things yet not buy anything?” Aidan asked.
“Err…yeah. You brought us here for a reason,” Melissa pursed her lips.
“Dude, just don’t say anything. You’ll get used it. In the end, you’re the one carrying all the bags,” Marcus assured him.
“Well, I’m hungry as hell. S
ee you guys later,” Liam said as he walked off with Ethan and Aidan.
“Hey, we should all get one!” Miranda squealed as she turned to the three of us.
“All right, see ya,” Levi said as he walked off with Keene and Blake.
“Which one do I take?” I asked. I picked up the dark brown one and took out my hair tie as I tried it on. I turned to Benny, who smiled at me.
“You look beautiful,” he said, then approached me.
“Hey! You wear, you buy!” the woman behind the booth said as Benny planted a kiss on my lips.
“We’ll take these.” Miranda pointed to the hats we wore. Miranda bought them for us as she put on her red one; Melissa wore a black. Tiffany had a white one, while I stuck to my brown one. “Carter, make yourself useful and take a photo of us,” Miranda said as she gave him her phone. I laughed as he gave her a look but raised the phone anyway as we posed for the picture. We continued to walk as Carter gave Miranda’s phone back and went to go catch up with the rest of the guys.
“Please, baby!” Miranda whined beside us.
“You wanna throw up?” Marcus asked.
“No, but by the time we get to the rides, the food will already be digested!”
“Fine…the usual?” Marcus asked as he glanced at Benny.
“Uh huh.” Miranda nodded.
“Come on, dude, the lady wants food,” Marcus said as he tugged on Benny’s arm. I laughed as Nick, Benny, and Marcus walked in search of food. Out the corner of my eye I saw a booth that sort of lured me into it. I approached the booth and took in all the different types of vinyl on the table. My eyes scanned through the genres of music as I felt a presence beside me.
“You got that one,” Levi said. I followed his gaze to see that I held ABBA’s vinyl.
“How do you know?” I set it down and looked through the others. I picked up The Wanted as my lips formed into a smile.
“And that one,” Blake said as he appeared on my other side.
“Do you guys hang out in my room while I’m not there or what?” I asked, then put the vinyl down.
