I feel so relaxed I could sleep for days. Maybe that’s why I can’t sleep. I think my brain always works too hard. I gasp loudly, coming to a realization. What if I’m the one that’s uptight and Sebastian isn’t? I mean, he is uptight, but maybe I’m uptight too?
Blake comes out of nowhere and is pulling me up off the ground. “Come on. Let’s go find some new clothes.”
I stand, feeling quite unsteady on my feet. Are they still there? Can your feet fall off? I look down to check, relieved to see my feet are still there. She runs back to my bedroom, and I follow quickly.
The sneaky girl is in the back of my closet, pulling out clothes I wore to parties my first year. There’s a sparkly navy halter top, and it glitters like the night sky. It went with me to Paris, but I haven’t worn it in a while. Blake shrieks and throws it at me. “You have to put this on! Look at how it sparkles!”
“I haven’t worn this in forever. I love this shirt.” I pull my shirt off to slip into it as Blake delves into my closet again. I stand in front of my mirror, turning so the sequins sparkle. I’m quite the sight wearing an indecent tank top with a pair of fleece shorts.
Blake pulls out a dress I don’t think I’ve ever worn, but it’s red and flowy. “If you don’t wear that, I will push you out of the plane.”
She lowers her sunglasses to look at me. “You wouldn’t dare. I thought bitchy Lia was going to go away since we’re high up in a plane. My X-ray sunglasses see right through you. You could never push me out of the plane.”
“Picture!” I grab my camera off the counter after Blake pulls the dress over the top of her other clothes. “Cheese!”
I throw my arm around her neck as I smile widely, and a flash goes off, temporarily blinding us. “Dude, do you think you have cheese?” Blake pouts, and I smile widely at her.
“We have cheese!” I run out into the living room to quickly turn into the kitchen when I run smack into Owen. Except he’s a lot sturdier than I am, so I bounce off him. He looks dazed, and I can’t help laughing. “Blake, your boyfriend is here,” I call out in a sing-song voice before erupting into giggles. I slide past Sebastian without a second glance to look for cheese. I am so hungry.
“What the hell are you wearing?” Sebastian asks in shock, and I shut the fridge to lean against the counter.
“Why? Do you like it?” I taunt as Blake comes from down the hallway.
She’s laughing, which causes me to laugh, and Sebastian looks at me skeptically. “Are you high?”
Owen’s too busy staring at Blake to notice. I bite my lip to keep from laughing, but I fail.
Blake sashays past him to swing her arm over my shoulder. “Bashy, doesn’t Thalia look hot in this shirt?”
“Great. They’re both high,” Owen grumbles as Sebastian unapologetically lets his eyes roam over every inch of skin he’s previously explored.Bold move in front of Owen, but I guess he’s too busy looking at Blake to see where Sebastian’s looking.
“We’re flying,” Blake corrects.
“Gummies. This is the best idea Blake’s ever had. Did you guys know she was a closet stoner?”
Owen looks shocked. “Is Thalia serious?”
Blake beams as she looks at him. “Well, you see. I’m not a closet stoner. I have a cousin living in New Jersey who comes to visit, and likes to leave me with a stash. I told Lia not to take a whole one, but she didn’t listen. Plus, we all know she needed to chill out.”
“Lia, you should get dressed,” Sebastian says slowly. Blake releases me to pull Owen into the living room. I don’t want to know what they’re saying right now.
I step closer to him, dropping my voice to a low whisper. “I am dressed. Besides, I thought you liked it when I wore fewer clothes, or was that only before? It’s not my fault you have a problem keeping your cock out of the cookie jar,” I hiss, enjoying watching how his jaw clenches.
“Thalia, enough,” he warns lowly, and I laugh again.
“You don’t get to say when it’s enough,” I snap before switching to French. “You lost that right when you screwed Vera.”
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out I brought Vera into it, even if he couldn’t understand what I said. Sebastian looks down at me; our height difference is clear right now. “We weren’t together. You’re telling me you didn’t fuck other guys after Louis? I know I screwed up, but don’t act like you’re innocent because we both know you’re not.” I almost forgot how sharp his words can cut. Deeper than his actions. I guess my face must reflect that because his chocolate eyes widen. They have no problem sobering me up quickly. “Shit—”
This time I don’t hold back, and I slap him. “Fuck you. Don’t you ever bring him into this again?”
He holds his cheek as Owen and Blake cue back into what happened over here. I stare at Sebastian with all the despise and hatred I can muster. “Thalia, what the hell?” Owen asks, his jaw hanging open in disbelief.
“No.” Sebastian grimaces, rubbing his cheek. “I deserved it.”
“You’re lucky I don’t break your face like I did his.” I’m fighting to keep the tears back. Too far. He took it too far. Vera was a choice he made, but Louis tried taking a choice away from me. It’s not comparable at all.
Blake is as shocked as Owen. I walk away from the three of them to lock myself in the bathroom as my tears fall. The shower is on full blast. I sit there long after the knocks at the door stop, and the water runs cold. Screw the water bill.