Beep Beep Beep

"OH MY GOD! TURN IT OFF!" I screamed while my eyes were closed.

"That's the fourth alarm you've snoozed." Rosé chuckled. I peeked to see her grinning face. "How much did you drink?"

"Too much." I groaned and pulled the covers over my face.

After dinner, Skye insisted we go clubbing on a Tuesday night. I refused countless times, but she stated she was driving and had the privilege of deciding where we were going. She pulled up to an exclusive club and practically poured liquor down my throat for the entire night. I wasn't amused, but she told me I had to loosen up if I wanted her to divulge everything. I reluctantly agreed and the rest of the night was a blur.

"Well, you have to get up. I heard we have a pop quiz today." I groaned even louder. "Come on! We're already late."

I dragged my feet as I trudged into the bathroom. I did my routine and had Rosé dress me. I had no energy whatsoever. She finished fastening the tie before handing me her designer glasses. I was about to refuse, but she positioned me in front of the mirror. I looked like absolute hell. Wordlessly, I grabbed her glasses and put them in.

Rosé tried dragging me to the building, but I told her to slow down or I was about to empty my stomach on her. She told me to stay as she darted into the lunch hall. She quickly came back with a bagel, crackers, and water. I thanked her and chomped on the crackers.

My classes were... well, I have no idea. I'm pretty sure I passed out in each class. Luckily, my pop quiz was a group effort, so my friends did it and put my name on it. Hyde and Michael had to assist me to my classes since I was moments away from face planting. What did I drink?!

"Are you just gonna head back to your room since attendance is optional?" Taylor asked as we sat in the lunch hall.

"Yep, when I gather the energy to walk back to my room." I rested my head on Shawn's shoulder.

"And here comes the one who caused you to feel like shit." KJ mumbled.

"Hey, babe!" I groaned at Skye's introduction. How was she perfectly fine?! "Looks like you had a rough night." She smirked.

"What did you put in her drink?" Hailey was becoming protective.

"Just absinthe, run, vodka..."

"Absinthe?!" Justin and KJ were bewildered.

"You were really trying to kill her." Cher and Rose crossed their arms in anger.

"Relax. It's not my fault she's a lightweight and can't hold her liquor." Skye chuckled. "Anyways..." She pulled up a chair and positioned it between Shawn and me. "You can rest your head on my shoulder." She placed my head on her shoulder. I was too sick to remove it. "So... what were you all talking about?" She excitedly asked my friends.

"How much we can't stand you." Hyde deadpanned. The boys fist bumped her.

"And why's that? I've been nothing but gracious to your friend since I've arrived. I took her on a date to buy anything she'd like, took her out for a nice meal, and even took her to a club. I've been nothing but generous to her." Skye shrugged.

"Because you have an ulterior motive." Taylor and Rosé pointed at her. "We don't trust you." They gave her a defiant look.

"Can't please the haters." Skye sighed out. "What would you like to do today, love?" She brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Uh..." I was tongue tied since she caught me off guard.

"She's going shopping with us." We turned to see Yaz confidently strut over. Astrid was behind her, but looked fierce. "And we're going now." Yaz and Astrid pulled me up and positioned me behind them. "Sorry, only for girls."

"I am a girl." Skye shot back.

"Only for those with a soul." Astrid stated before pulling me out the door.

"Damn, you look like shit." Yaz said as she removed my sunglasses. I hissed at the bright sun and yanked them back on. "Perhaps, a spa day will do you wonders."

Astrid eagerly nodded and led me to a BMW. I sat in the back while Astrid went to the driver's seat. Yaz debated whether to sit next to me or in the front. After she saw me lie across the back seat, she decided on the front. I drifted off and woke up when Astrid gently shook me.

I groaned, but followed them into the spa. I was about to fall asleep during the massage, but Yaz spoke up.

"Why were you with Skye?"

"I wasn't. She plopped herself next to me." I yawned.

"But, the other day... you went out with her."

"More like she dragged me to her car and refused to let me leave until she was satisfied."

"You should be careful of her." Astrid spoke up. "She's not as genuine as she appears to be."

"And a trickster. She was supposed to tell me about her past with Ali, but she got me drunk before, so I have no idea what she said." I groaned. "What is their past?"

"You should ask Ali." Astrid quickly spoke.

"Oh, come on! She's not even here... actually, where is she?"

"Cuba, if you read her texts or picked up the phone." Yaz slyly commented.

"My phone was dead." I glared at her.

"Do you like Skye?" It was more like she was accusing me rather than asking.

"What kind of girl do you think I am?" I sat up, startling the masseuse. "You know what? You've never liked me from the beginning and I can accept that." I pulled the towel tighter around my frame. "What I won't accept is someone accusing me of sleeping around and being a cheater-"

"You cheated on her once... what's to stop you from doing it again?!" Yaz sat up as well. "Once a cheater, always a cheater." She narrowed her eyes.

"I think we should all take a chill pill." Astrid tried to defuse the bomb that was about to go off.

"W-We talked about it. I was in a different headspace and-" I struggled to explain my actions.

"You'll never be good enough for Alicia McAllister."

"YASMINE!" Astrid reprimanded her, but I stood up and left. "Nic! Nic, please come back!" She tried to follow me out. "How could you, Yaz?! That's crossing the line!"

"Oh, so we're just supposed to pretend that she deserves Ali?! She's been fraternizing with Skye, who's notorious for sleeping with women in relationships! Skye has her eyes set on Nicola and Nicola isn't doing anything to halt her advance! She willingly went with Skye! Who knows what else she's done with her?!" I heard Yaz shout at Astrid.

I quickly dressed myself and left the spa. That conversation sobered me up real quick. I recognized we were downtown, so I could just walk back to campus. There was no way I was waiting on a ride back to campus... or so I thought.

"NICOLA!" I looked at the car slowing down next to me. "Ahhh! HOW ARE YOU?!" I couldn't help but crack a smile at Chico's enthusiastic nature.

"Not well." I admitted.

"Uhhh... COFFEE?!" I smiled a little and nodded. "Come in!" He reached over to open the passenger side of his Ferrari. "To coffee we go!" He pulled onto the road and drove to a little cafe.

"My sweet little Gem and I love to go here for little dates." He took me inside. I was in awe at the cozy cottage feel. "They have free books that you can read while hanging out here. Oh, and they encourage donation of books! And we donate books too!" He practically skipped towards the cashier. "Un white chocolate mocha cocoa creamy with extra sugar and..."

"A matcha."

I'm not surprised that Chico got a cup of diabetes. He and Gemma truly encapsulate hyper energy. He took my hand and led me to some couches in the corner.

"Tell me about it... nuh, uh." He wagged his finger in my face. "We must turn frown upside down." I snickered when he used his thumbs to raise the sides of my mouth. "Better!" I couldn't help but laugh with him. "Now, what's wrong?" He titled his head and gave me an innocent look.

I sighed and relayed the series of events that happened. The smile fell from his face the more I talked. Chico was very disappointed with Yasmine's actions. He said she was out of line and went too far. I asked for his honest opinion on the matter. Chico took a deep sigh before disclosing his opinion.

He said my past is reason for doubt, but my actions have dispelled any concerns. Clearly, Ali and I had issues in the past that led to my infidelity. He didn't condone my actions, but stated that not everything is black and white. Ali and I decided to continue with a relationship, so her friends should be supportive of it. They had a right to be a little apprehensive, but shouldn't continue vilifying me.

"But don't worry." He scooted close to me. "Everything will be A-Okay!" He swung his arm around me. I just hoped he was right.

CHARACTER THOUGHTS

The two besties