Authors: Danyell Wallace
CHAPTER 7
Consequences
Tamia
I'm looking in the mirror finishing up my hair and makeup, and I can’t take my mind off Kellen and what happened last night. I knew I was to blame because I let it happen, and now I couldn't stop thinking about all the delicious things he did to my body. When I woke up this morning, I was relieved to see he left because I didn't want Katie catching him in here.
After seeing the text he left for me, I responded back, and agreed to meet him later tonight. I couldn't help but to feel nervous about seeing Kellen tonight. After everything that happened last night, I didn't know how to act around him. I was feeling guilty because I enjoyed everything that happened last night, when I shouldn't because he had a girlfriend. Never being in a situation like this before, I knew I should just tell him that it should never happen again, and that we could remain friends, but I knew that wouldn't work. Things had officially changed between us and I didn't know what to do. I finished applying the finishing touches to my makeup and hair, when I hear a knock at my bathroom door.
“Ready when you are!” Katie says from the other side.
“Okay, give me five and I'll meet you in the kitchen!”
I take a deep breath and release it trying to get my thoughts together. With one last look at myself, I walk back into my room to grab my cellphone and purse and head to the kitchen to meet Katie.
~ ~ ~
When we make it to Tasha and Jay's apartment, Tasha is outside talking on her cellphone, and when she sees us, she finishes up her call and waves in our direction.
“Hey ladies! Are you ready to make plans for Thanksgiving break?” She yells excitedly.
“I am!” I say. “ My parents weren't too happy with the fact that I'm spending Thanksgiving with you guys and not with them, but I promised that I would be home for Christmas, plus I explained to them that I'm saving them money on plane tickets, and I think they became okay with my plans then.” I laugh.
“Well I'm glad you're spending Thanksgiving with us, I can't wait for you to meet my parents!” Katie says.
“We're going to have so much fun you guys!” Tasha screams, and we all laugh. “Anyways everyone is inside. Oh and guess whose back in town. Ashley! Supposedly she got back in this morning! So I guess she'll be able to come with us after all!”
At that moment I start to feel sick to my stomach. I stumble and have to grab onto the rail of the balcony.
“Tamia are you okay?” Katie asks coming to my side and begins rubbing my back.
“Yeah I'm fine.” I say holding a hand to my forehead. “Just feeling a little light headed, I probably just need to eat something.”
“Well my brother sure as hell hasn't told me she was back. I can’t wait to see how her trip went!”
The front door of Tasha's apartment opens and Jay steps out. “Ladies are you coming in? You can gossip later.” He says with a laugh and steps aside and we all walk in.
CHAPTER 8
Truth or Dare
Kellen
I'm on the couch with Ashley in my lap watching TV, when Jay walks back in with my sister, Tasha, and Tamia behind him. I look at Tamia and we briefly make eye contact, but she quickly turns her attention away from me.
“Hey big bro!” Katie says while smacking me in the back of my head. “Ashley, glad to see you made it back safely” She says while giving Ashley a hug before taking a seat on the floor. “I can’t wait to hear about your trip!”
“Glad to be back, and I have so many pics to show you!” Ashley responds with a smile.
“Tamia and Katie, can I get you something to drink or eat? We have pizza, beer, water, and soda.” Tasha asks.
“I’ll take a slice of pizza and a beer.” Katie responds.
“Tamia what about you?” Tasha looks in her direction.
“No I'm good, thanks.” She says with a forced smile.
“Are you sure? You were about to pass out, out there!” Katie speaks up.
“Tamia are you feeling okay?” I ask concerned.
She looks in my direction. “I'm fine.” She says through gritted teeth, then makes her way to the love seat that's across from me and Ashley, and sits down.
“You know what Tasha, a bottle of water would be nice.” Tamia responds.
“Okay, I'll be right back with your stuff!”
The room is quiet until Ashley speaks up. “Babe can I get you another beer?”
“Um. Sure.” Ashley leans in and places a kiss on my lips.
“Okay, be back.” Then she heads into the kitchen.
Tasha walks back in. “Here you go.” She says while handing Tamia her bottle of water and Katie her pizza and beer. When Ashley and Jay return, Ashley resumes her spot on my lap and Jay takes a seat beside Tamia.
~ ~ ~
Tamia
“So you guys,” Jay begins. “I don't know about you, but this year instead of going to Colorado like we usually do, I think we should stay around here. Kellen and Katie, do you think your parents would mind the change of plans? We could just stay at their beach house in Destin? It’s got plenty of room, sits on the beach, and we can have cook outs and bonfires and not worry about snow! It's just a thought. Does anyone object to my idea?”
“I think that would be a great idea! I don't think mom and dad would mind. Do you Kellen? I would rather stay here in Florida too, I'm so tired of the snow and skiing. I would rather spend my Thanksgiving on the beach near a bonfire!”
“I'm cool with it.” Kellen responds. “I'll call dad tonight and set the arrangements up.”
“Tasha, Ashley, and Tamia, are you guys cool with the idea?” Jay asks.
I respond with a nod.
“I'm in!” Tasha says with a mouth full of food.
“As long as I get to spend time with my babe.” Ashley responds before pulling Kellen into a deep kiss.
I clear my throat feeling uncomfortable and Kellen must have heard me because he breaks the kiss.
“Damn that was easy! So in two weeks, we leave for the beach! So now that we got that out the way, how about we have a little fun.” Jay says while rubbing his hands together as if he has something up his sleeve. “Let’s play a game of Truth or Dare.”
“Are we in Junior High again? Come on Jay!” Tasha responds.
“Come on it'll be fun. We're all adults here; which will make it more interesting. Hold on, I'll be right back.” Jay says while heading back into the kitchen, only to bring back a half full bottle of tequila. “We'll use this. I'll start it off.” Jay puts the bottle on the table in front of us and spins it until it stops and lands in Ashley's direction.
“So Ashley truth or dare?”
“Truth.” She responds.
“When was the last time you had sex?” Jay questions.
“Ashley don't answer that.” Kellen responds.
“It’s okay babe, I chose truth. I have nothing to hide.”
“Shit!” I hear Kellen whisper from behind Ashley.
“Well, when was it?” Jay asks waiting for her to answer.
“This morning.” Ashley responds with a sexy grin on her face, while looking at Kellen.
“My boy!” Jay yells in Kellen's direction.
I feel Kellen's eyes on me, but I refuse to look in his direction.
“I guess it's my turn to spin.” Ashley responds. She spins the bottle and it spins and spins until it comes to a stop landing in my direction.
“Ooooh this should be good!” Jay says with a laugh.
“Tamia, Truth or Dare?” Ashley asks me.
“Truth.” I respond.
“Well I don't know much about you since I've been away. How about you tell us something that we don't know about you that would shock us.”
I pause and think the question over before responding.
“I'm a virgin.” I say looking at Kellen.
“W-w-hat did you say?” Jay asks coughing and spitting his drink out.
“Thanks Jay for spraying me!” Katie yells, grabbing a napkin.
“There's no way!” Jay continues. “You're almost 21 and you've never had any dick before?” Jay says laughing. “Wow! Well if you ever...”
Jay didn't finish because Tasha chose that time, like always and smacks Jay. “Girl ignore him, he just wishes he can hit that.” She says pointing in my direction. “I have a lot of respect for you, I know it can't be easy.”
At that point I didn't care about all that was being said around me. My attention was still on Kellen, who sat there with a look of pure shock on his face. I turn to look at Ashley who has a look of confusion on hers.
“I guess I was dreaming the other night.” Katie says confused. “I could have sworn I heard you having sex the other night, because the moans I heard coming from your room.”
“Excuse me.” I interrupt Katie. “But I need some fresh air.” I stand and walk out the front door.
~ ~ ~
I take a deep breath and exhale slowly trying to calm my racing heart. Ashley's back in town? I can’t believe this shit is happening, and Kellen has the nerve to sit in there like last night never happened!
What did you expect would happen Tamia?
“What have I gotten myself into?” I say to myself. “I've got to get out of here.” I pull out my phone and send a text to Katie.
Tamia:
I'm not feeling good, I'm going to head back to the apartment.
A second later she responds
Katie:
Okay. Hope you feel better. Text me if you need anything :(
I put my phone away and head home. I'm so angry at myself that I didn't even realize that I was crying until my vision started blurring.
I walk up the stairs to my apartment. When I finally get inside, I slam the door, lock it and head straight to my room. I toss my phone and keys on my dresser. I grab my comforter, sheets, and pillow cases off my bed and head to the laundry room, and toss all my belongings into the washing machine to clean any scent left from Kellen off. When I return to my room, I put on new sheets, pillow cases, and I pull another comforter set out my closet and put it on my bed.
I strip out my clothes and put on a pair of boxer shorts and a tank that I find in my dresser, then I grab my cellphone and hop in bed. I look at the time displayed on my phone and I see its only 9:15pm. I scroll through my contacts until I find the one I'm looking for and I press the call button. The line begins to ring, and after several rings, a voice I love so much greets me.
“Baby girl?” My dad questions.
“Hey dad.” I say trying to hide the sadness in my voice.
“Talk to me sweetheart. What's wrong? Do I need to come down there and whoop somebody's ass?” He asks in a concerned fatherly voice.
“No daddy. I'll be fine, I just miss you and mom.”
“Are you sure? You sound sad. Are you having second thoughts about going off with your friends for Thanksgiving break? Where did you guys decide to go anyway?”
“Daddy I'm sure. I just have some things I need to work out. As far as the trip goes? Well we decided to spend Thanksgiving in Destin at Katie's family beach house. I don't know if I want to go anymore.”
“Well baby girl, if you don't you can always come home. Your mom and I would love to have you here. Just let me know and I'll get your airline tickets booked.”
“Thanks daddy.” I pause and hear light knocking on my door. I don't respond and continue to talk with my dad. “I miss you guys so much.” I say, then I hear my door knob turn. The door opens and Kellen walks in.
“Hey daddy, I have to go. I love you and kiss mom for me please.”
“I sure will sweetheart. Let me know what you decide. Love you and goodnight Tamia.”
“Good night dad.” I say with a sad smile and hang up. I lay my cellphone down on my night stand and I turn my attention to Kellen.
“Tamia I think we need to talk.” He says walking towards me.
“What is there to talk about Kellen?”
“We need to talk about us.”
I laugh. “Us? There's no us, Kellen! We're just friends! What happened last night, never should have happened in the first place!”
“Tamia don't say that.”
“Seriously Kellen? You have a girlfriend! Does she know you're here?” I say standing to my feet, then I begin to pace back and forth.
“No one knows I'm here. I'm supposed to be on a beer run.”
“Wow!” I laugh.
“Tamia I didn't know she was coming back so early. She got in this morning without me knowing about it. You have to believe me. I didn't mean for this to happen.”
I stop pacing and face him. “The fact of the matter is that we shouldn't have let things go as far as they did. You don't belong to me.” I say in a calm voice. “I think you should leave.”
After a moment of long silence between us, Kellen walks towards me until he's standing in front of me, he places his hands on my face and tilts my head back forcing me to look at him.
“Tamia, I'm sorry but I don't regret anything that happened last night. I really do care about you, and I also care about Ashley. I know apologizing won’t help or solve this situation. I just need time to figure my shit out.” He leans down and places a kiss on my forehead.
“I have to go. Just give me some time Tamia.” He says looking into my eyes. His hands drop from my face, then he turns and walks out my door.