AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I goggle at him in horror.
And like what any embarrassed woman would do, I run to the door and bolt out of his apartment before he can even utter a syllable.
Even with my cheeks burning in shame, I never looked back.
As soon as I get out into the street, I ignore the glaring sunlight. I have no time to worry if my corneas get damaged by it.
I get lucky and am able to hail a cab within minutes. Then, I head back to the apartment, feeling something worse than a hangover—perhaps self-hatred.
My hand feels a little weak as I put the key in our apartment door’s lock. As soon as I unlock it, Clara rushes toward me, pulling me into the tightest embrace ever.
“Estelle!” she squeals. “Oh my god, where have you been?”
As she wiggles me around in her embrace, I feel nauseous again, so I push her away gently. “You don’t want me throwing up on you right now.”
So, Clara gives me some breathing room. She takes me in: checking my face, hands, and even my ankles—as if she’s looking for cuts and bruises, obviously senselessly anxious. “You got me so worried! I almost reported you missing!”
I walk to the fridge to drink a full glass of cold water.
I honestly thought Clara and I were in the middle of an argument, but her eyes follow me around like she can’t believe I’m here.
Leaning on the kitchen island, Clara asks, “Where did you sleep last night?”
If I was hoping that my own best friend wouldn’t ask me such a straightforward question, is she even my best friend? So, it makes sense that she’s asking me this. Even if I don’t want to answer it.
It’s a sign she cares for me—tired of my bullshit and all.
I try my best to avoid giving the correct answer; that’s the last thing I want. “I slept over at a friend’s house. I got so drunk last night.”
“Which friend?” she prompts.
“A… friend.”
“Aboy-friend?”
I almost spit out the second glass of water I’m drinking. But I clear my throat, averting my eyes from her inquisitive ones.
As I turn my back, Clara calls for my attention in a firmer tone, “Estelle, who was it?”
“It’s no one,” I answer, pressing the heel of my hand against my temple so I can pretend my head’s hurting. “I’ll be in my room.”
But, of course, Clara isn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. Even as I cross the space from the kitchen to my bedroom, Clara’s longer legs immediately catch up to me, stopping me with a foot at my bedroom’s doorway.
I take a step back in surprise.
Clara glares at me. “Estelle, who was it?”
As much as I don’t want to admit anything, I don’t have the energy to keep denying where I was last night, especially now that I really want to bury myself on my bed and just rot within the mattress.
I finally let out a sigh, feeling my entire body quiver with embarrassment. I’m never the type to sleep around with anyone, and yet, here I am: under the scrutiny of my best friend for not coming home last night.
So, I inform Clara, “It’s just… some guy.”
Clara purses her lips as she thinks about what to say next; I’m guessing she’ll scold me. I finally did something reckless. Then, she asks carefully, “Did you… did you sleep with him?”
Well, did I black out last night from all the drinking and went home with a guy I couldn’t have resisted for the life of me? Did I wake up naked in his apartment? Yes, and yes.
So, closing my eyes, I groaned as I let more shame engulf me.
