Page 16 of Faking Forever 1
“Since when do you fish?” I tease him, smirking.
He always made fun of the rest of us for loving it.
“Since I’m a sober man, I can think straight. There are so many questions.” He laughs, “I gotta go, but I’ll catch you guys.”
Sierra and I both harmonize together.
“Bye!”
Everyone from class means there’s a high chance that Nick will be there, which is horrifying to me. The thought of having totryand hold a conversation with him makes me sick to my stomach. The last time we saw each other, we were breaking up. It began with us making out and ended shortly after he told me he had sex with Darcy on graduation night.
The worst part was the day after graduation night. A few people that Nick associates himself with decided it would be fun toexpose the fact that Nick and Darcy had not only had sex once but on multiple occasions when I wasn’t around.
I’d officially been cheated on for almost one whole year.
Embarrassed was not even close to how I felt. I could say I was humiliated, but I don’t think that word fits either.
Either I’m a foolish and naive girl, or they were two im-40
BRING ME FLOWERS
maculate con artists. To me, both options are sickening to think about. The fact of the matter is, I’m much too prideful to pretend that I’m not still upset about the entire thing. I know that they’re still together, too. Of course, I’ve looked at pictures online to see for myself. It’s just that now, instead of comparing myself to Darcy, I ask myself how I couldn’t see any of the dirt on my own. To this day, I’m still wondering how I didn’t see it happening right in front of me.
Sierra looks at her boss, who happens to also be her Aunt, as she comes to the front desk to check the register, then back at me.
“Stay here. It’s time for me to go beg my way out of here before it’s too late.” she jokes as she hops from the table.
* * *
The light from the Venetian blinds seeps through the windows of my large balcony door, burning the outsides of my eyelids as I lay bundled in my furry pink comforter. The brightness indicates that it’s probably closer to noon than anything, meaning I’m on the verge of sleeping my day away. It felt so wonderful to be in my own bed again. Everything smells likeme, and nobody is watching me in a sinister manner from across the room. It’s perfectly cozy, which is how I like it.
Today was the bonfire day, and I had yet to confirm within myself that I was going. I had said it out loud to everyone, but deeply, I wanted to pull my guts out through my mouth when I thought about doing so. Since I was never one to go back on my word, I wasn’t about to start now. Even so, I regret opening my big, fat mouth to Beau. That was never something I was good at.
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FAKING FOREVER
I could hear my family beginning their day in other parts of the house. With that, I knew I couldn’t stay in bed any longer.
After brushing my teeth and hair and washing my face, I trudged my way down to the kitchen, following the voices of my mom and my brother.
“Paisley, you’re finally awake. How are you feeling?” she cocks her head in my direction upon my presence.
“I’m okay.” I yawn as my words come out.
“Listen, your father, and I thought it would be a great idea for us all to attend the banquet fundraiser next month. It’s for Rich’s candidacy,” she adds suddenly.
It’s not even been five minutes, and already with the information overload.
“Yeah, sure,” I mumble, spinning the swivel chair around to sit across from her at the counter.
“And please wear a dress. This isn’t one of your surfing or skating escapades, okay? We need to dress to impress.” she implies.
What a wicked woman. Good thing I’ve matured, and and grew out of that. It’s still hilarious that Rich of all people is having a fancy event.
“You wantmeto wear a dress for somethingRichis doing?”
I try hard to hide my amusement.
