Page 20 of Casualties

Don't go there, seriously.You want him to make a fool out of you again?This is just some sick head game he's playing.You're stronger than this.

Turning the shower off, I reach for my towels.Steam fills the bathroom, fogging up the mirror.I begin to brush and blow-dry my hair while the mirror clears up.I zone out, staring at my reflection, questioning everything that happened this weekend.

Not only did I make the first move for my first kiss that wasn’t even planned, but less than ten hours later I’m grinding my lady parts on Ace’s…

“Huge, throbbing co?—”

Ah stop it, you horny little bitch.Jesus, horny?

I’ve never even touched myself sexually, and now all of a sudden I’m horny?Ace didn’t even kiss me and my entire body was ignited.I kissed Jackson and barely felt a thing.I mean, there was no tongue, so maybe that was the reason.I have no clue, and nothing to compare it to.

I shake my head to clear it, but it doesn't help.I want to sleep the day away.I want to try and forget about my first weekend in Boise.Easier said than done with the “conversation” Ace is forcing me to have.Why can’t we chalk it up to a mistake, and go back to our separate corners?I would prefer to ignore him, but I have a feeling he will make that extremely difficult.

I finally crawl into bed for a nap after finishing my skincare routine.Hair is dry, face is clean, and teeth are thoroughly brushed.I snuggle up in an oversized Pat Benatar tee from one of her concerts our parents took us to when we were younger.My headphones are on, and based on my mood, I play “Promises in the Dark” by the legend that is Ms.Benatar.I know sleep is coming soon; my eyelids are getting heavier.I can worry about all of this drama later.

* * *

I wake up to what sounds like aggressive finger tapping.Looking over at Cassie, I see she is awake, typing at the speed of light on her phone.I would not want to be the one receiving that book of a text message.Looking at my phone to check the time, I realize I slept the entire day away.Good, I apparently needed it.My plan is to stay in our dorm the rest of the night to get some much-needed writing in, then go for a run in the morning.I can give myself a lazy day here and there.School is going to be a lot of work, so it makes sense to rest up before it starts.

I stretch my arms out, exhaling a huge yawn that jars Cassie out of her text trance.The scowl on her face fades into more of a smile when she looks up from her phone at me.

“Good morning, sunshine,” she says with a plastered smile.

“Don't you mean ‘good evening’?I see smoke coming off your fingers from that fast-paced text you were typing.Is everything okay?”I wonder if she’s texting Morgan, their fight in Ace’s car was heated.If it is, I hope he is apologizing.

“Oh, it’s nothing.Get dressed so we can grab dinner.I’m starving.”The mention of food has my stomach rumbling, and I realize I’m starving too.I was too proud to eat anything Ace made, so I went all day on an empty stomach.My plan was for convenience snacks from the vending machine downstairs, but going to dinner sounds better.

“Okay, give me five.Where do you want to eat?”Honestly, at this point I will eat anything.

“I heard there's a pretty good pizza place down the street, and you know pizza is life for me.”Cass holds her hand up, like she’s swearing under oath.

“Fine, as long as it's not that weird hipster pizza you forced me to try.”I was on vacation with Cass and her family, and the Sinclairs eat nothing less than fine dining.The pizza Cass and I shared had diced sweet potatoes as one of the toppings.What kind of pie-making Neanderthal would ruin pizza in that sort of demonic way?It was disgusting.

“It’s not, babe, don’t worry.They advertise Chicago deep dish in the window, so you’re safe, I swear.”Hand to her heart, she vows I won’t want to puke after eating.

Both of us get dressed and head out.

The pizza place is down the street from our dorm.It’s a cute, newly remodeled brick building that looks similar to most buildings in this neighborhood.The carb-loaded aroma wafting in my nose is making my belly rumble more.It smells so good, I can’t wait to dive into a few slices of pepperoni deep dish.Like I said, no fancy shit for me—cheese and pepperoni with a thick crust is all I need.

The server greets us and tells us to grab a table anywhere.It seems like most students had the same idea as us—this place is packed.We look around to find a table, but have no luck.I glance over at one of the larger tables in the corner, and there are three open seats.Cass suggests we ask whoever is sitting there to join them, but let them know we'll keep to ourselves.She leads the way, with me following closely behind.When we get close to the table in question, I instantly recognize a familiar handsome face with sandy blond hair.He notices me right away, and waves for us to come over.

“Ainsley.Hi.I texted you this morning, but didn’t hear anything back.”He doesn't sound annoyed, at least.

“Hey, Jackson.Sorry, I had my phone on sleep mode all day.It was a pretty late night for us.”I feel bad that I didn’t text him.Thinking back, I haven't checked my phone, other than checking the time, since we left for the party last night.

“No worries.You guys want to sit with us?Weekends are crazy busy, making it hard to find a table.”Jackson moves the two chairs next to him out for us to sit.

Cassie plops down almost instantly, but I stand there looking at him for a minute.Seeing him in better lighting and without alcohol tells me I wasn’t crazy to think he was good-looking last night.He is more than good-looking, he’s hot…like, really hot.Cassie grabs my arm, pulling me into the chair and out of my awkward observation.

“Yeah, sure.We’ll join you,” she says, and I thank God for her jumping in when I need her.

There are a few other girls sitting at the table, and I assume the two guys with him are on his team.I look around Jackson to the girl sitting at his other side, who doesn't look happy we joined them.She’s beautiful, with long blonde hair and a fair complexion.From what I can see, her body looks perfect with huge boobs.I'm never one to pass judgement on other women, but holy hell, her tetherball rack is most definitely medically enhanced.I would say she has pretty eyes if they didn’t look so evil, burning holes in my face.What the hell did I do to her?I try to ignore her demonic stare and focus on Jackson.

“How are you feeling after last night?”he asks.Before I can answer him, Cass bumps my shoulder to ask if I want my usual.I nod my yes, and pray the food comes out quickly.

“Now that I've slept all day and drank copious amounts of water, I feel better.Pizza will be the final medication.Were you feeling gross today, too?”I laugh, because I am not one to know about curing hangovers, but so far everything I’ve done has helped.Rest.Water.Grease.I guess I learned a thing or two from Morgan and Ace and their high school party days.It never failed that the morning after they went to a party, I would get a knock at my door, begging me to pick them up something greasy for breakfast.

“That'll do the trick.I was alright, I only had a few drinks.I typically take it easy when it’s football season.Coach would have our ass if we fucked off during practice because we were partying too hard.”

---