Erica's POV

I stare at Joe with alien eyes as he runs his hands through his hair various times to calm himself down.

Well, I'm furious and there's not going to be any calming down for me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I whisper yell, still aware of the other sleeping residents in the house.

Joe turns to me. "What's wrong with me? I should be the one asking you. How could you go out with a stranger?"

"He isn't a stranger."

"Oh, is that so? You have known him for what? Five days? Jesus Christ, Erica, I didn't know you were so stupid."

I feel tears prickle the corner of my eyes. But for what am I crying? I get more furious, if that's even possible.

Joe walks over to me and places his hands on the side of my face before dipping his head and claiming my lips. I hardly had any time to register what's happening.

He can't do this to me. He knows I have a boyfriend now so he should stop. He can't think that he'll get away with kissing me.

So I push him away from me, effectively breaking the kiss. I immediately slap him across the face. I'm surprised I did that, but his expression is priceless.

"Fuck, I didn't know you were so desperate you could go out with a stranger. You think he likes you? Erica dearest, he's only using you. Are you that naïve?"

I've heard enough!

"Get out." He laughs under his breath.

"So now you are kicking me out? I didn't know you tire so quickly. You haven't had a lot of fun with me, yet," he says, "the truth hurts doesn't it?"

"Get out!" Tears threaten to pour out any second now and I can't let him see them.

"You're a slut."

"GET OUT!"

I push against his chest until he's out my door and I slam it in his face. Leaning against the door, my knees give in so I slide against it to the floor.

The tears now finally pour out uncontrollably. I shouldn't be crying. He only said those things to hurt me, right?

I'm not desperate. I just took a chance at love. Is that so wrong? I'm allowed to love. Though I'm not there yet.

I spend the following night in Star's room, which is on the other side of the house. She whines about how I ruined her hook up with Darell.

So the following night is spent with headsets covering my ears in my room.

***

As I sit in Moana's room, I try to overhear her conversation with Star.

"Really, I don't know what's with Joe…" Moana says.

Oh, that's the topic? I'm not interested. I plug my earphones back in my ears.

Over lunch, Blake is completely onto Joe. I don't know why everyone's conversation is around Joe. Did he do something wrong?

"I see you are bringing girls over again?" Blake says.

I don't know but I feel like my heart just got wounded. Like many pins are lodged into it. God, it hurts.

"I thought you were over with that. When will you quit fooling around?" He asks.

But Joe says nothing, just continues eating his chicken.

"And then he calls me a slut," I mutter under my breath.

Joe glares at me, making me know that he heard what I said. I look around but everyone is going about their business.

Joe makes a beeline for the door immediately after lunch. I guess he's gone to get another girl. No, don't think about that.

I on the other hand go to meet Jaime. We lounge by the beach talking about anything and everything.

"But I think you are more beautiful than J-Lo," he says.

I blush. He looks at me for a while before leaning in towards me. His lips inches from mine.

Yes! This is it. Finally! There's no Joe to ruin my moment. I'm finally going to taste my boyfriend's lips.

He presses his lips on mine, kissing me with a passion. He's smooth and soft, giving me time to become comfortable and in sync with him.

He's a great kisser, albeit I can't say this is the best kiss I've ever received. It just feels…normal. But I like it nevertheless.

When he pulls away to catch his breath, I can't help but grin at him. I think my cheeks are on fire.

He lifts my chin up so I can look him in the eye, before he kisses me again.

***

"Let's for a date. A quad one,"Moana suggests.

"A quad? But…aren't we three couples?" I ask.

"What, you think it's only going to be Star, you and I? Dad would never allow that. So Joe has to come along."

Well, shit.

"He has no girlfriend," I protest.

"Trust me, he'll bring someone."

Confident much. He doesn't have a girlfriend, so why should he come along? I don't think I'm gonna like this one bit.

We make our way to our reserved table. Moana and Jayden sit on my right while Star and Darrell sit on my left.

I don't know if I should thank the Gods. Apparently, Joe may not join us today. I should definitely thank them.

"You're going to start without us?" I hear Joe's voice behind me.

I spoke too soon.

I plaster on a smile as he and a blonde sickly beautiful girl round the table to take their seats right across from me. This could be a long night.

"So, what did you really see in Erica?" Joe asks in the middle of the meal.

I glare at him but it's like I don't exist as he turns his attention to Jaime.

"Um…" Jaime clears his voice, "well, she's beautiful and amazing and talented well…I don't know."

"You sure that's all?"

"Joe!" Moana warns. He doesn't ask anymore.

Thanks a bunch, Moana, I was gonna lose it.

A few minutes pass by in silence until we hear very audible kissy noises.

Joe and his bitch are making out right in front of us! In a public restaurant! God, where are their manners.

He practically has his tongue deep down in her throat and his hands are everywhere on her.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

"TMI guys...TMI," Star says.

"Get a room!" Moana adds.

"Excuse me," I say and leave the table immediately, seeking the washrooms.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Why is he doing this? I'm damn sure he wants to get to me, to hurt me. I splash water on my face before drying off with a towel.

The door to the washrooms throw open and in stumbles two lovebirds. Joe and his bitch. They kiss their way deeper into the place.

"Oh sorry, we disturbed you," Joe says, "we'll be in here if you don't mind." They disappear behind a stall.

I don't know why I stay rooted to the place, staring at the stall's door. I should have bolted out the first chance I got.

Soon, groans and moans and praises are heard from the stall. I feel my heart being ripped out of my chest. Tears pour down my face in an instant.

I turn back around and wash my face hurriedly before bolting back to where the rest are seated. I whisper to Star that I need to leave and soon, I'm in Jaime's car.

He tries to ask what's wrong but I say nothing. I know it isn't fair to him but what can I do? He doesn't deserve this.

When I get to my room, I lock the door and fall onto my bed in a mess. I let my tears fall freely from my eyes.

I soon welcome the comfort that sleep promises to bring with him. Perhaps my dreams won't be as messed up as I am.

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