Chapter 9 So This Is Why I'm Here

Jason's POV

The way I feel right now? It's like my head is pounding like someone's been using it as a drum all night.

I groan, trying to piece together the mess that's my brain right now.

There's an arm draped over my neck. I don't even have to look to know it's her.

The cheerleader. Tracy? Danny? Fuck, I can't remember. All I know is we spent last night drinking and then fucking.

Her perfume is still in the air and the cloying sweetness of it is making my stomach churn. I scowl, shoving her arm off me with more force than necessary. She doesn't even stir. Lucky her.

I stagger to my bathroom. The moment I step in, the smell hits me again. Her perfume, everywhere. The hell permitted her to use my bathroom? I squeeze my eyes shut, but it's no use.

Fuck, I feel like death.

And to make it worse, the thought of my tutor pops into my head. My ex-tutor, probably. After yesterday, after I pushed her... yeah, she's not coming back. Good riddance.

I brush my teeth, then splash cold water on my face. It helps a little, but not enough. I stumble back into my room.

Cheer is still asleep on my bed, looking so relaxed. It makes me want to do something stupid. So I do.

I grab a bowl of water from the sink and, without a second thought, fling it on her. She jerks awake with a gasp, her hair plastered to her face, her body drenched.

Her eyes meet mine and I can't help but smirk. "Time to go do the walk of shame," I say.

She glares at me, as she touches her hair, trying to fix what's already ruined. "Screw you," she snaps. She looks around the room, probably trying to remember where the hell she is. "Fuck you, Jason. You couldn't bother to be a gentleman and wake me up properly?"

I laugh. "So what? You'd be expecting breakfast in bed next? Get the fuck up and go. My parents will be home by noon, and I have to get to the gym. Plus, this room stinks."

She frowns.

"No, not of your perfume," I add, smirking. "But of sex. It has to be cleaned. Now go." I raise my voice.

Cheer is one of those girls I hate dealing with after. Well, I like fucking her... I enjoy it... But the aftermath? Gross. The way she clings to you, makes her pathetic.

She stands up from the bed, and I can't help but stare. My eyes darken as I take in her naked body, the way she moves... she's trying to tempt me. She walks over to me, her hips swaying, and then she leans in like she's going to kiss me.

But I grab her neck, my fingers tightening just enough to make her gasp, and push her back onto the bed. "It's not happening," I tell her.

And of course, she starts whining. Her voice is high-pitched and annoying.

"Uh... can you get dressed, Tracy, I..." I start but she cuts me off.

"It's Penelope, you idiot." She yells.

I stop, blinking at her. Right. Penelope. I can swear it's the first time I'm hearing her name, even though we've fucked a dozen times.

"Hey, why didn't your folks give you Pen or something? I mean, it's simpler and easier to remember," I say, half to myself, as I turn around toward the door.

And then I freeze.

My stomach drops, and I swallow hard, even though there's nothing in my throat.

Standing in the doorway is my mum, who's supposed to be on a business trip with her husband... my dad.

Her eyes take in the scene... Pen naked on my bed, me standing there in just my boxer briefs.

Her face goes from confused to horrified in seconds, and then she yells, "Honey, you've got to come down here."

Shit.

I am so fucked.

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Aria's POV

"Girls," Mum's voice floats into my room. "Up. There are chores waiting." Mum's voice is too chipper for a Saturday morning.

I blink groggily, my eyes landing on the mop of messy pink hair beside me. Lily who ended up sleeping over last night, dramatically yanks the blanket over her head.

"Nooo. Tell her I died in my sleep." Lily muffles.

I sit up, laughing. "You're impossible. Come on, it's just chores. It won't kill you."

"It might," she grumbles, peeking one eye out from under the blanket. It's not her fault. Lily is an only child. I'm not sure if she does a single chore at home.

"Lily, come on."

"Look at me, Aria. I'm a shell of the girl I was last night. I need, like, twelve more hours... at minimum."

I shove her shoulder. "You're so cranky in the morning."

Before Lily can reply, a shadow appears at my doorway. Drew. Shirtless. His hair is sticking up. My brother forgets he has to comb his hair sometimes.

"Rise and shine, princess," he says, aiming it directly at me before letting his gaze settle on Lily who immediately squeals and yanks the blanket all the way over her head.

"Ugh!" I make a gagging sound. "Drew, seriously, go put on a shirt. Nobody needs to see that first thing in the morning."

He hisses. "It's my house. I'll walk around however I want."

"Gross. Ew." I grab a pillow and throw it at him.

He catches it easily and tosses it onto the bed. "Dad says you need to be downstairs in five minutes. His orders. And you know what happens if you keep him waiting."

"Yeah, yeah. We'll be there."

From under the blanket, Lily whispers just loud enough for Drew to hear. "Tell your dad I'm still asleep. He'll understand."

Drew chuckles. "Lily, is that you under there? Wow. Didn't think I'd ever see you willingly hide your face."

"Shut up!" She squeaked. "I look like... just... nobody talks to me."

Drew shakes his head and leaves. That's when Lily peeks out with narrowed eyes. "Your brother is the worst."

"Tell me about it." I giggle. "Come on, let's go."

She nods and grabs a scrunchie from my nightstand to tie her messy hair up. "What if I break a nail? Like... I just got acrylic last week."

I ignore her and walk out. Dragging her down the stairs while she's clinging to the bannister is a chore for me. She keeps saying that if my mum hands her a broom, she'll leave. Which I wouldn't let her do.

"You are..." I tug at her wrist. Just a little more before we get to the final step. "...not leaving. You're helping."

Finally. I smile and open my mouth to greet my parents. But the smile falls right off my face the second my eyes land on the living room.

Jason. His parents. Sitting neatly on our couch like some formal family visit.

Is this what it takes to ruin a good mood? Just a bunch of visitors?

My jaw clenches as I look from my dad to my mom. "So... this is why I'm here?"