Page 80 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I ignore it, putting my phone to the side. I’m not in the mood for flirting. I don’t want to think about sex. I don’t want to think about Ash right now. It’s not his fault. I just don’t want to think at all.

So, I pull on a swimsuit, dive into the pool and stay at the bottom for as long as I can. Until my lungs are screaming, my lips trying to open for air or water, it wouldn’t matter to them; then I come up, taking a deep breath just to do it again. And again. And again, until the guilt has been drowned.

I swim to the edge of the pool, then look into the house. Chase is there, talking to Dad. Based on how he’s moving his hands and the way he’s leaning into every word, I doubt it’s a nice conversation. Dad storms out, and Chase rubs his forehead.

Our life is backwards, but it could be worse. It could be.

Chase comes out and tosses my phone on the chair. “It keeps fucking ringing.”

“Where did Dad-”

“Some crappy bar because he’s all upset about-” His eyes flick to me. “Nothing.”

“Me?”

“No, Sky.”

“He’s mad that I’m leaving?” I guess. “Or that I won’t bring my boyfriend over?”

“It’s not your job to worry about this. You’re eighteen. Enjoy dating, enjoy your time, and don’t you dare give up college. Being on campus with new people will be good for you. Getting to explore the world is good. Plus, think of all the new bugs, the scorpions, the spiders.”

“Arachnids,” I say.

“Exactly!” He nods. He glances at the house. “Pizza?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Sky.” He swallows. “You’d tell me if you wanted me to stay home or if you had a problem, right? If something big happened, you’d tell me?”

“Of course.”

He nods. “I’m going to go stop Dad from being a complete idiot then. Maybe you should go to your boyfriend’s house tonight or Bonnie’s.”

I can’t argue when he’s already slamming the sliding glass door to head out of the house. Pulling myself from the pool, I towel off, then look at my phone. Three missed texts from Bonnie, talking about how much she loves her new outfit, how I should model mine in the mirror until I feel sexy, and asking what my plans are for the weekend.

Two missed texts from Ash, asking if I’m okay, if I’m going to come to his match on Friday, and a missed call from him, too. My voicemail chimes, and I listen to the message.

“Hey, I’m worried about you. If that line costs me brownie points, you can call me a dick.” He says something to someone else. “But I miss you, and I hope we can spend some time together soon. Don’t get all stuck in your head again, okay?”

I text him back:I’m fine. Having an early night.

And that’s what I do. I put myself in bed and try to read a book before I just scroll through social media with the TV on in the background. When I get another message from Bonnie, then a message request from a stranger, I just put my phone on silent and roll over. Dad and Chase get home around midnight, and Dad is a sappy mess.

“I miss her so much,” he slurs. “And now everyone’s leaving. What’s wrong with me, son?”

“You’re drunk. You have to get your shit together,” Chase hisses. “And keep it down, Sky’s asleep.”

“I don’t want her to leave. Make her stay. I’ll be better, I promise. We can do game night.”

“Get some sleep, sober up, and start being better tomorrow,” Chase orders.

I pull my pillow over my head and keep it there until I suffocate myself to sleep.

I wake up to the pealing of thunder, sit up, and shake my head, rolling back over and pulling my blanket over my head. Twenty-four hours without looking at my phone is fine, right? Taking a break from everything outside my bedroom is fine. I’ll be fine.

Around three p.m., I commit to being awake, then start a horror movie marathon in my room until my brother opens the door quickly, making me scream. He looks at the TV and sighs. “Sky, you hate horror movies.”

“Well, that’s what the weather said to watch.” I pick at my blanket. “I heard you guys last night.”

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