Loves Me NOT - Alexis Winter Page 0,1

have been many times when I’ve been tempted to give it to her a little early, but I keep telling myself to wait. It’ll be much more romantic on graduation day.

“Des, bathroom break?” Julie asks.

Destiny nods and pulls away. “I’ll be right back.”

I look over at Mark and he nods toward the back corner of the gym. I follow behind him, thinking we’re going to meet up with some friends. To my surprise, he pulls a small bottle of liquor out of the inside pocket of his jacket. He takes a swig and passes it over.

I roll my eyes, having learned my lesson from trying to argue earlier. I take the bottle, tip it back, and swallow down the liquid.

“Tonight is going to be awesome,” Mark says, taking one last drink before tucking it away.

“I probably won’t even remember it now, thanks to you,” I joke.

He bumps my elbow with his. “That’s the point. You know you had fun if you can’t remember.”

My stomach gurgles from that last drink and sweat starts beading on my brow. “I’m going to the restroom,” I say, walking off.

“I’m going to go spike the punch,” he laughs out, walking in the opposite direction.

In the restroom, I take a piss, wash my hands, and then lean against the sink. I’m fucking dizzy, my stomach feels like I’ve been on a roller coaster for the last 14 hours, and the loud music is killing my head. Is it possible to have a hangover before you even go to sleep? I shake my head and splash some cold water on my face. I quickly pat it dry with some paper towels then look over my reflection. My eyes are bloodshot and hooded. My hair is already a mess and I make quick work of straightening it the best I can. With a sigh, I give up and exit the restroom.

The moment I step out, my eyes land on Destiny’s back. Her thin neck teases me with her hair pulled up high on her head. Something comes over me and I’m instantly craving her lips on mine. I wish I could just carry her away from all of this. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of the night buried deep inside her. When the three girls she’s talking to walk away, I step up to her back and press my lips to her neck. She tilts her head to the side, giving me more of her. The different perfume she’s wearing burns my nose as I breathe it in, but I don’t think anything of it when she spins around, wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me.

My arms immediately wrap around her, pulling her closer to my chest as I deepen the kiss. Something seems off—different. And it’s not just the perfume. The way she tastes is different; maybe she’s had some of Mark’s spiked punch. But the way her tongue moves with mine is different too.

“Wyatt!” someone yells, and I pull away, finding Julie—not Destiny—directly in front of me.

I spin around to find Destiny. Hurt fills her eyes as her mouth hangs open, her bottom lip quivering. I look from Destiny, to Julie, who looks just as surprised, and back.

“Des, it’s not what you think,” I try to get out, but she turns and runs away.

I chase after her, but lose her in the crowd of people. My vision is blurring, my feet are tripping over who knows what, and my ears are ringing as my stomach churns. I know I can’t chase after her. If I do, I’ll most certainly vomit right here on the gym floor. I rush to the restroom and make it to the toilet just in time to empty my stomach. I’ll find her. I’ll explain. Everything will be okay. She’ll forgive me and we’ll carry on like nothing ever happened. Then on graduation day, I’ll propose and we’ll live happily ever after.

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Wyatt

Home. It’s such a simple word. Only four little letters. Home usually means rest, peace, family, love. But to me, it’s nothing but bad memories and loneliness. I lost my mother here. I lost the only woman I ever loved here. People say I’m a free spirit—that I can’t be tamed—but that isn’t true. The only reason I move around as much as I do is because it’s a way to forget. If I keep myself busy enough, I won’t remember my mother dying or my rough upbringing. I won’t look back on falling in