Introduction
Dear _______,
You have been accepted into Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Your outstanding GPA and talent would be greatly appreciated at our school. We have even provided a place for you to live. A five bedroom apartment for you to share with the other four women who have received this scholarship. The apartment is right across from the university and has a nice view of the city. We hope to see you at registration in the fall,
Administrator of Pepperdine University.
Possible Princesses:
**Princesses full!

Based on: Rapunzel l Independent, Risk Taker, Rebel l Age: 19 l Face claim: Cara Delevigne CLOSED

Based on: Jasmine l Wealthy, Funny, Tough l Age: 21 l Face claim: Haifa Wehbe CLOSED

Based on: Cinderella l Kind, Organized, Innocent l Age: 20 l Face claim: Diana Agron CLOSED

Based on: Snow White l Quiet, Shy, Musical l Age: 20 l Face claim: Mellisa Clarke CLOSED

Based on: Sleeping Beauty l Seductive, Wild, Manipulative l Age: 21 l Face claim: Blake Lively CLOSED
**Additional characters can be added but please message me before creating the character sheet!
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The Story
You have been accepted into Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Your outstanding GPA and talent would be greatly appreciated at our school. We have even provided a place for you to live. A five bedroom apartment for you to share with the other four women who have received this scholarship. The apartment is right across from the university and has a nice view of the city. We hope to see you at registration in the fall,
Administrator of Pepperdine University.
Today is the day the princesses arrive at their castle.
"Yes, yes, I'm perfectly aware that he thinks that of me," Claudia said to the person on the other end of the phone. Fionna couldn't help but roll her eyes. She and Claudia didn't see eye to eye very often. She straightened her yellow vest and proceeded to unload things from the trunk of the car.
She pulled boxes and bags galore from the trunk and backseat. If she was going to stay here, her room would be just like the one she had back home. She approached the front door. How am I supposed to get in? Oh right! They gave me a key! She produced a key from a purse and slid it into the lock. The door opened silently. She took a moment to look about the interior. It was a very beautiful home and modern. Nobody else had arrived yet so she went to find her room. Upon going up the stairs, she found a door with her name on it. I guess this is me. She pushed the door open and went inside. It was a decent sized room, perfect for her and contained a chair, full sized bed, a small loveseat, a desk, and a bookshelf. SHe couldn't wait to decorate it.
She bounded back outside and began the laborious task of bringing all her things upstairs. Of course, Claudia was no help at all. She complained that she had just gotten a manicure. Fionna was used to this and didn't much care.
After her bags and boxes were safely in her room, Fionna went back outside to say goodbye. "Well," she said awkwardly," I guess I'll see you and dad at Thanksgiving?" Claudia inspected her nails, "I suppose so," she looked at Fionna "Do have a good semester and don't disappoint us." And with that Claudia got into her care and sped away.
Fionna heaved a sigh and went back upstairs to her room. "I guess I'll start unpacking" she said to no one in particular. It took her well over an hour to fix it up, but she liked the way her room looked now.
She felt like playing a song so she went back downstairs in search of a piano. It didn't take her very long as a studio piano could be found off the kitchen. She sat down and began to play a piece of her own design while she waited for her housemates to arrive.
She pulled up to the dorm and had to blink a few times to focus. "Wow." Well she was majoring in art so I guess this was for all the art freaks. She didn't know whether she should just walk in or wait for someone else to walk in with. Just go in. This is your place! But she couldn't yet. She decided to take out her sketch book and draw something first. As she dug through her bag she finally pulled it out. Rayna began shading and drawing lines, without a picture in her head. In the end she looked at it and shuddered. If this was the demon inside her, no wonder she was paranoid. She looked over and realized another car was there. Good. At least I'm not the first one here. So she closed the door on her car and took her bags in hand.
Rayna walked up the stairs to the big building in front of her. She could hear a faint sound of music playing. I hope they didn't start a party without me! She thought sarcastically. She got her key from her backpack and slowly opened the door. She dropped her bags as soon as she stepped in. After standing in awe for a few moments, she began to walk slowly, in disbelief of the beautiful paintings and sophistication of her new home. She literally couldn't believe this was real, so she pinched herself. "Ooow!" Suddenly the music stopped. She walked around the corner until she met up with the girl who must have been playing the music. She was going to put her hand out for a shake but instead she just smiled awkwardly. "I'm Rayna. And you are?" She checked the girl out from head to toe. Not in a sexual way, but in a.... observational way. She was wearing a bright yellow vest and had a cute black bob. She knew that this house would be filled with a bunch of talented artsy freaks but she never knew they'd be this talented.
"Raja, you are always hungry" she laughed as she poured a bowl of food for the small tiger like cat. before she jumped into the shower and started prepairing for the day. As soon as she was dressed and ready in a cute black slirt and a flowly white blouse with grey pumps, she headed down to the kitchen. She looked around with a sigh and grabbed a cup to pour some coffee.
"Good morning Miss, how are you?" A house keeper, a portly woman with a smiley disposition, asked. Jasmine smiled, she liked her.
"I'm good...tired but good...how are you Mrs. James" Jasmine asked with a smile as she poured the house keeper a cup as well and motioned for her to come sit. She took a sip of coffee and waited for a reply, letting the black gold flow through her and rejuvinate her soul.
"Oh dear, i'm good as always" the woman said with a smile, her rosey cheeks getting even rosier. Jasmine spotted Raja going around the corner and sighed. How did that cat get out?!
"Shoulda named him houdini...." She muttered as she followed him.
(edited for Hany)
"Miss Briar?" he enquired again as Rose blinked. "We're here. Do you want me to take your luggage inside while you freshen up?"[/b]
Rose thought for a second, biting down gently on her lip. "No. Just wait here for a little bit. I want to have a look around," she concluded, looking out the window at the two cars that were already in the driveway of the large apartment. It was grander than Rose had expected, all pretty mood lighting and a modern building. She wasn't sure exactly what she'd been expecting though, really, she hadn't even given it a second thought. She'd simply concluded anywhere would be better than her mother's house with her strict, bullying step-father.
"As you wish," the driver responded, holding the door open for Rose to step out.
Quickly, Rose slipped the mirror from its compartment, checked her makeup, wiping away slight dark smudges from under her eyes where her mascara had slipped. She then applied a little more red lipstick to her full lips. Her red heels clipped against the floor as she stepped out, straightening out to her full height. She was reasonably tall as it was, and the heels only have her more height. The skin tight, almost spray on white jeans clung to her thin but curvy legs, creating a beautiful streamlined effect. She wore a deep red top, that matched her lips and heels perfectly. It clung to her slim waist and wrapped around her breasts in a way that Rose knew was all too attractive to men. The sleeves were short and loose around her shoulders, but this wasn't a problem under the Californian sun, which, at mid-morning, basked the driveway in a lovely warmth. Her long, blonde hair tumbled in waves down her back.
She approached the door, trying the handle. She was grateful when it twisted under her grasp and the door opened. The stairs stretched out ahead of her and from upstairs music floated down. Well, she concluded, she might as well introduce herself to the women she was going to be spending the foreseeable future with. She followed the source of the sound up to a room where one girl sat at the piano and another was watching.
Rose caught the tail ends of what the standing girl said, introducing herself as Rayna.
"Hey, I'm Rose," she told them with a beautiful smile.
"Hi, im Jasmine..." she said with a small smile before she noted Raja jumping on the piano, and running across it when it made horrible sounds and scared him.
"And that, is Raja...sorry, you know the saying curiosity killed the cat...seems he's lucky." Jasmine said as she walked over to the cat that was now hiding under hte piano. He gave her a plantive meow when she picked him up but otherwise didnt struggle.
"How are you ladies this fine morning?" she asked trying to be polite and make conversation.
As her mind came back to planet earth she realized they were all standing in an awkward circle. Putting her hand through her hair, Rayna could feel the uneasy tension, "So I'm going to find my room..." Walking off she went around the corner. It was time to explore the "castle". She first found the kitchen. It had the aroma of fresh coffee and there was a woman sitting down drinking one of the hot beverages. The Rayna got closer, the woman looked over and was startled. "Sorry... Did I scare you?" Rayna asked. The woman shook her head, "No.. I just thought you were Jasmine. I didn't realize any house guests had arrived yet. I'm the house keeper, Mrs. James." Rayna smiled and quickly got out of there. She wasn't great at socializing and preferred having time to herself.
The halls were filled with modern paintings and some pictures of Jasmine. Well... That's nice... She walked through the living room and took a quick look in the bathroom. Finally she found a bed room. The door had the letter 'J' on it so she figured it was Jasmines. But as she reached upstairs she realized all the doors had letters on them. The problem was, she noticed two doors had the letter 'R' on them. so she took a peak in each. The first one was right by the bathroom. Well that would be a plus. Easiest way to get a shower first. It was also quite spacious. But as she reached the second one, which was the last door down the hall, her jaw dropped. It was smaller than the first but it had a balcony. Probably the only bedroom with a balcony for that matter. She took off her jacket and raced downstairs to get her bags. She had to make sure that no one took her room. Snatching her bags in her hands she scurried back upstairs and put her bags on the floor and jumped onto her bed. This feels like a fairytale. She thought.
"I'm feeling very hungry. I think I'll go down and have a sandwich" She closed the piano lid and followed behind Rayna towards the kitchen. As she entered the luxiourious looking kitchen she saw a plump looking housemaid sitting down and drinking coffee. Rayna went over and fixed her a cup of coffee and Fionna made her way to the cupboard for bread. After fixing her turkey sandwich on rye bread, Fionna took a seat at the counter and procceeded to chow down.
Her father was always working and she lived in the suburbs, country side. How the heck was she going to cope with the brand new environment. Looking over at the spot on her bag she aimlessly wiped it off. Running her hand through her hair she walked over to the bathroom and cleaned herself up and washed her face. Washing her hair in the process she dried it with a towel and threw the towel in the laundry hamper. Walking inside of her room she put on some shorts, a tank-top, and a plaid shirt and left it unbuttoned.
Grabbing her bags she threw them in her truck. Her father had given it to her on her 17th birthday, even if her stepmother did not approve of her having one. Tying her hair up in a ponytail, she grabbed her keys and the next thing she was doing was driving to the destination. Once she had gotten to the dorms, would park her truck in the driveway a little bit far away from the dorms. Grabbing her bags and the key to the room, she started to head inside the building. Looking for the room she finally found it.
Sighing she took a deep breath, she new this place was a little bigger than her one story house back at home. Sucking up all the air in her lungs she unlocked the door with her key and opened it at a slow pace. Stopping dead at the door she looking around the castle like place she never seen anything like it before, the outside might have been at higher stands than her house, the inside was even higher than any other house she has been in. She continued to walk inside looking over st the beautiful paintings on the walls.
Her house had nothing on the walls it was mostly made of wood, the walls were usually either a green or a light pink, it was horrifyingly hideous to her but, she didn't complain because, it was still a house at the end of the day. Escaping her thoughts she started to to walk towards one of the paintings and she starred at it with awe. She was finally going to be away from that place, she was truthfully happy.
Walking towards what looked like the place the bedrooms could be. She walked up to the door and after a few moments of taking deep breath she open the door gently. Finally, she wouldn't be the one to be share a be and sleep on a wooden floor. Her bedroom had look like those bedrooms on those magazines. She sat her bags by her bed and jumped in it, hoping this all wasn't a dream.
Koby rubbed his eyes and walked over to his closet to find some suitable clothes for the day and the party he was to attend tonight. He pulled out some dark grey jeans, a blue cotton, buttoned down shirt and a white singlet to go underneath. He slowly walked to the otherside of his room where a door led to a bathroom where he showered, shaved, brushed his teeth and clothed himself. Feeling rather refreshed, he made his way downstairs, his head still pounding. I swear I had like...two drinks.. He tried to convince himself. Already regretting waking up so early in the day, he walked into the kitchen to find some Advil and to make some breakfast. On the way to the kitchen, he noticed that nobody was yet awake or perhaps not even in the massive building. Did he over sleep again? Was it actually later than he thought? Or was everybody else still asleep? The kitchen was large and provided a lot of snacks rather than anything worth making a meal out of. He settled on an apple after his Advil and sat down at the counter with his head on the counter just to rest his eyes a little as they burned.
Koby tried to remember which house was holding the party for the night, as each night seemed to be blurring together, always coming home half-conscious and walking up hating himself for whatever acts happened previously the night before. Koby finished his apple and placed it in the bin then looked up towards the tinted windows in front of him to check himself out, fixing his hair and shirt. He again wondered were everybody was and then soon became curious about what time it actually was. Sauntering over to the clock above the stove it read 13:24. Koby raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised by how late it actually was. Everybody was probably off at work for the day, studying maybe. Koby couldn't care less. However, he did care about that little girl sorority near by. He turned around to face the tinted windows before and looked outside.
Maybe he should find out what some of his friends were doing today. With a huff, he walked over the the cordless phone by the entry of the kitchen and dialed in a few numbers to call Jake, hoping that Jake was free.
(edited for Hany)
Jasmine, one of the most popular girls in school, is throwing a party tonight, to welcome her new room mates? Jake knew he wouldn't be able to go since he had to work so he insisted Andrew go. He was never one for parties, or socializing. He wanted his space, his things and his time. But maybe this was what he needed. He knew he was stuck writing his horror film. He'd need a good party scene to keep the viewers attention. So he'd go. For research that is.
He hopped in the shower as he sung with style. As he looked through his closet for a suitable, mainstream college boy outfit, All The Single Ladies came on and he began to dance. After the song ended he awkwardly got dressed and started to groom himself. If he wanted to fit in and maybe even dance with a girl, he'd need to look good.
Setting her bag down on the bed, Rose left the room and headed back down the stairs. She decided now was probably the best time to have her luggage brought inside so her driver could begin the long drive back to her mother's in Portland. Besides, she couldn't wait to get all her things in her bedroom now she'd seen it.
((Post above edited. No one at door))
She dried her hands on a nearby towel and followed Rose to the foyer. "Do you need some help with your things?" she asked hopefully.
"Hello?"
"Ohh.. Is Jake there?!"
"No he's working. You were wondering if he's going to the party right?"
"Yes, and with that I guess not.."
"Well you can come over here, I'm Andrew, Jake's room mate and I need some help."
"Er... Okay."
Andrew knew he must have sounded like a loser. Asking for help? As the ladies would say, this is crisis. He was wearing a red crew neck with plaid over top and some loose jeans. He knew he didn't look good, but he didn't know what looked good. Hopefully, since Jake was pretty popular, his friend would know what to do. Plus he kind of needed some advice. Mostly on how to talk to women. He was never good at that.
He wondered what kind of help that Andrew and Jake would need before quietly knocking on their front door. He stood back a bit from the door and waited patiently for an answer.
"Hey Jasmine... So, I figured we should get to know everyone better.. Are we doing anything tonight?"
"Yes actually, I have announcement for all the girls" She said with a smile as she headed for the Study.
โMrs. SmithโฆGather the girls in the studyโฆits time for a house meeting.โ She said to the plump older woman. Mrs. Smith hen scurried off, going room to room to tell the girls to go to the study for the house meeting.
Jasmine sat in the big leather chair with Raja in her lap, purring as the girls entered she smiled. She wondered if any of them would actually want to go....she hoped so...but she wouldnt stoop low enough to ask.
โSo, We are having a party, the biggest coming out party of the year. Tonight actually. Bring anyone you wantโฆIโd like to decorate as wellโฆany volunteers?โ Jasmine asked as the girls filed in.
โSo, We are having a party, the biggest coming out party of the year. Tonight actually. Bring anyone you wantโฆIโd like to decorate as wellโฆany volunteers?โ
Rayna was stunned. "Will there be boys?"
But with a smirk Jasmine replied "What's a party without boys?!"
Which was totally true. "I'm going to get ready." She declared as she evacuated the scene.
She could hear girls talking as she walked away. She went into her room and dumped her suitcase on the big fluffy bed. Trying multiple types of dresses she finally found the one that would work. She tugged and pulled on the dress until she felt perfect. Touching up her make up she started to hear noise downstairs. She assumed it was guessed and decided to make her entrance. She walked down the stairs slow and casual in her cute ballet flats. Smiling as she saw there was already a few people here.
Before long, Koby spotted a blonde walking down the stairs real slow in an outfit she had obviously chosen to grab wondering eyes and attention of boys. It hugged her tightly, fitting her frame perfectly. Koby was almost lost for words, a modest beauty. He looked away quickly though, before giving himself away and then walked towards the bottom of the stairs where the girl was walking. He waited for her to reach the bottom before saying anything. "And so, how much did you spend on that?" Koby smirked at the pretty dress the girl before him was wearing. Up close he studied the girl further, and before his words could land on her ears, he recovered himself to the gentleman he swore to be for the night, "You look...stunning," Koby complimented, his voice soft, leaning in close to say into the girls ears. They weren't touching, not yet, Koby new to keep his distance from girls who looked like they could slap a guy. "Koby," He introduced himself, leaning on the banister of the stairs.
"Koby," He said.
"Not interested." She said as she walked into the kitchen. She saw beers, typical, but she went in the fridge and grabbed some orange juice and vodka. At least I can start this year off with a bang. Rayna mixed the two drinks and took a sip. She didn't want to get drunk just yet, she would rather wait til there's more people around, so she could feel like she was actually part of the party. Like she belonged. Like people wanted to party with her. But in reality, later when she would sober up, she knew that she was just a lone wolf fending for herself.
She searched her closet and came up with the perfect dress. Then it came time to find shoes. She searched for a few more minutes and found her favorite shoes and pulled them on. She looked in her mirror and fixed her hair before going down. Seeing she looked acceptable, she exited her bedroom and made her way downstairs. On the stairs, she passed Rayna who was already getting hit on. "She must be lucky, but it's no surprise, she's beautiful."
She could see that the house was filling up fast with guests and became a little nervous. She wasn't so sure that she wanted to be a part of the party much longer. It just wasn't like her to do this. She had never even been to a high school party before. Then, she spotted Rayna again, this time heading for the kitchen. She quickly followed behind her. Rayna was in the fridge grabbing something to mix a drink with. "Umm..hey.. mind if I join you for a drink. I'm not much of a party person, ya know..?" She walked to the counter, her heels clacking on the tile floor. She grabbed the orange juice and vodka after Rayna was done with it and mixed herself a drink. She sat next to Rayna at the counter and waited for more people to show up.
He hurried to his closet and threw the first thing he saw on. Al was pretty stylish to a degree so what he chose looked fine, at least for him. He grabbed his keys and phone and stuffed both in his pockets and walked out of the door. It was a short walk to the girl's dorm where the party was being held from his dorm and he arrived there in no time at all. He could see that many people had already arrived.
He walked in the door and made his way slowly to the living room where many people were milling around. He waved and smiled to people he knew and had small chats with them. He was here for one person in particular and kept looking about for her. She was beautiful and he had his eyes on her the moment he saw her move into this place. He wanted more than anything to just have a conversation with her and tell her a joke and make her smile. It seemed that she hadn't made her way downstairs yet, and he tapped his foot impatiently.
"Hey there," Koby let out a brilliant smile at the girl in blue, "Would you mind getting me a drink?" He naturally asked politely; this one side of him that knew how to be polite however so rare, he still had that side. He lent on the counter as the girl in black did, being careful to not look in her direction, getting the vibe that she didn't know how to loosen up. "I'm not as terrible as you think I am," Koby assumed, crossing his arms over his wide chest. If anything, he has been nice to her as of the only couple of sentences he's spoken to her. He left his eyes wondering over the large room of the castle the girls had the luxury to live in.
"You know, you shouldn't be so rude to your guests, I was simply trying to be nice," He said.
Nice? I doubt that. But she kept on her silent treatment and watched Koby check out Fionna. Just another dog. She directed her eyes away from him, he would not get any glimpse of hope. She could feel him lean on the counter, mimicking her.
"I'm not as terrible as you think I am," He stated. Yet she ignored him and poured herself some more. Straight up vodka.
Rayna leaned over to Fionna and whispered "You want him? He's all yours." and walked away. She wasn't in the mood to play games, or flirt, or have anything to do with boys. So, she headed towards the stairs.
Looking over at the coffee table he noticed cans of beer. He grabbed on and began to guzzle it down. As he drank he started to hear people chanting "Chug! Chug! Chug!" So he grabbed another and drank that one in another minute. He lifted the empty can as people began to cheer and resumed their dancing and mingled. Then some short ginger came up to him. "Hi" She smiled. In this moment he decided to play the role of "Koby". So he gave her a convincing smirk and did a head to toe check.
"Hey beautiful, want to dance?" And with that her grabbed her hand and they began to dance.
"Hey," Koby said, lightly tapping her on her forearm. He moved to walk in front of her, leaning in close, breathing in her. "C'mon, I'm not that bad," He whispered in her ear, leaning in closer. "I want to know," He stated, "Why? What's making you so god damn defensive," He breathed quietly and pulled back from her neck, and leaned away, before turning around and leaving her alone. Koby returned back to the kitchen to finish his drink, with a sour look on his face. He didn't mean to impose on the girl, not intimidate. Actually, he didn't do either things. He was simply being kind, if anything. He sipped on his drink, running his hand through his hair.
The music was blaring loud, he could barely hear himself think. The bass matched the beat of his heart. He then turned to look at Rayna, waiting to see what moves she could pull and what drunk ones he could match with hers.
Koby didn't notice anybody else around him, all he saw was Rayna, so free and comfortable. To believe he had denied her earlier. Koby smirked, pulling Rayna in close again, nibbling her ear as she moved against his body. He grabbed her hands as she danced, letting them move as one, but still standing so close. Rayna's hips were moving fast, Koby copying who ever he looked at the last time he bothered looking at anybody else. He followed the sequence he started earlier, feeling her back and finishing at the curve of her arse, this time, not bothering to move.
Rayna opened her eyes and flung her arm over to the night stand where her phone was. She searched the table until she picked up the phone. 10:27am Frantically she squeezed out of Koby's embrace onto the floor. She looked at him, He looks kinda peaceful.. But then the head ache hit her. Rayna groaned as she tried to think of the night before. All she knew was she got drunk and couldn't remember the night before. It really took her a few moments to acknowledge she had a photo shoot in about 20 minutes, on the other side of town! "Oh shit!" She complained, trying to keep her voice low, not to wake Koby. She started racing around the room, to her suit case then back to the mirror, to the bathroom and back to the mirror. She finally looked decent and kind of professional, despite the nasty hang over. She grabbed her phone and keys just as she heard Koby murmur something. She didn't have time for this. She grabbed an apple as she ran out the door and to her crap car. Please. For the love of god, do not give me car trouble. She turned the key in the engine, success! Off she was, leaving the boy to wake up alone in her bed.
A few minutes later, Koby was waking up, alone, in a room that definitely did not look like his. Frowning, he propped himself up on his elbows, and sighed. He remembered last night, and he knew that the girl probably didn't. Oh crap, what time is it? Did he need to be somewhere important? There was no clock, but he soon realised he had his phone in his back pocket. Pulling it out, he found it was dead. With a small moan, he sat up slowly on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes. The girl was gone, that was alright. It meant he could go home without hassle. So with that, Koby picked himself up and put his shoes on, leaving the sorority oh-so quietly.
Koby started to walk back home when he remembered that he went to the party with Andrew - and Jake couldn't make it. Changing his ways, Koby started towards Andrew and Jake's apartment before briskly turning up at their doorstep and knocked lightly. He still didint' know what time it was, but he hoped that nobody was asleep.
He woke up in the grass. The dew had made his shirt all wet, not to mention the smell of alcohol and perfume that covered him. He smiled and began laughing, even though he was getting a major head ache. He rolled over and saw a small park. This was the park where he went when he was depressed. Well mind, you have yet to impress me He got up and held onto the fence that was coincidentally there for support. Scratching his head, "How the hell am I going to get home?" but he dug in his pocket to find his cellphone. He looked through his numbers, he didn't have many so he called Jake. "Hey Jake! Could you pick me up? I'm at the park on 3rd and need a way home. Yes I went to the party. Uh huh. Okay see you soon. Thanks."
"Well man, you should have came to that party at that girls sorority last night. Wow, you'd have no idea," Koby started, leaning back in his seat. This copped him a raised eyebrow from Jake in return. "Hmm? And what happened at this party last night," Laughing, Jake remembered the reason why they were heading to the park, "And it better be better than picking up Andrew, seeing as he had actually gotten wasted," Jake shook his head. Koby smirked, "Well, there's a girl-" Koby started but got cut off. "A girl! Wow, it's been a long time Koby, she must be something," Jake grinned, obviously teasing Koby. Koby glared back, clearly not assumed, "Aye, shut up okay. No, I don't know if it meant anything, we were drunk - well she was. I barely had three drinks," Koby rolled his eyes and Jake looked at him in disbelief, "Barely three? What? Have you got standards now or something?" Jake laughed again. "Ahaha, okay, okay. Now, this girl, who is she? You got laid didn't you," Jake started to assume. "Nah, nah nothing happened. I did sleep in her bed though, we kissed, but it wasn't...it wasn't like a drunk kiss, it felt like something...something more," Koby started before trailing off. Jake was convulsing in a giggle spasm. "Koby, you sound like a crazy man, seriously? Everybody does stupid shit when they're drunk," Jake smirked in Koby's direction. "Maybe that girl sorority had a bigger effect on you than you think," Jake raised an eyebrow, settling down. "Ahh, maybe you're right," Koby sighed, narrowing his eyes as they found Andrew. "Maybe it was a one night thing," Koby shrugged it off.
"Well, well, well," Koby started, a smirk crossing his face, "Look what we have here! Nice guy got more drunk than me!" Koby exclaimed, an exaggerated sarcastic clap beginning.
The only parties she has been to had only been about birthdays, celebrations, and reunions. They all were quite boring, she always wanted to go to a party that was about fun. No step-mothers, no step-sisters, and no abuse. She loved everything about this party the decor, the people, the dancing, and the music. Walking over towards the table to wherever the drinks would be, more like she danced over to the drinks. She loved music, singing was her favorite thing to do whenever she was alone. Sometimes she'd sing to the people she was most comfortable with and that was her mother and father.
She wasn't too fond of her stepmother since everything about her that came out of her mouth was,"Your not to worthy enough to be a daughter of mine." That really hurt her but, she kept her heart strong. Possibly her mother had some mind in things before she had died. Looking up she just kept dancing to the music. Fist pumping in the air and then some people followed her with it. When she saw some spill something she couldn't help but, clean it up it really bothered her. She didn't like for a person to mess up anything of hers, even if it wasn't fully hers.
After the party she it was a mess to clean and she didn't sleep when something wasn't clean. So she stayed up, she did go to sleep but, it wasn't in her room. Possibly on a couch or possibly the floor. She was getting used to that, now it was a in breaking habit.
"So Koby told me you had a wild night" Jake mentioned.
Andrews head was throbbing, "Yeah, well things got.. crazy."
He could feel Koby's wild excitement as he said "So what happened? With that ginger and all?"
"Ginger, huh?" Jake chimed in.
"Well we danced for a few hours, and well we ended up at her place.." Andrew explained. The tension was rising, they were both curious to know what little boy Andrew had done.
"And..?" Jake said aloud, because he knew they were all thinking it.
"I honestly do not remember." With that, the rest of the car ride was silent. When they got back to the apartment, Andrew headed straight for medicine cabinet and took a nap. He could hear Jake and Koby downstairs talking and then the sound effects of video games. He laid on his back as he thought about the night before. He remembered what happened but he knew if he told them he hadn't slept with her, they'd probably think he was a wuss. So he'd leave it up to their imaginations. Rolling over, Andrew put on some classical music and fell asleep, dreading going for his first day of classes the next day.
There was a guy there that kept glancing in her direction and each time their eyes met, but she was to shy to hold eye contact with him. After a good long while, she decided it was time for bed. The party was winding down, and people were heading to their own homes to hook-up or sleep. The boy who kept looking at her left with a ginger headed girl, and she was a little disappointed, she thought that she felt something with him, but apparently, he didn't feel the same. She heaved a sigh and headed off to bed.
The next morning she woke up with a great stretch and yawn. She felt no ill effects from the alcohol at all and she figured she was just lucky this time. She dressed for the day in a simple shirt and blue jeans and headed downstairs after washing up. She grabbed and apple for a quick breakfast and went to sit down on the couch to watch TV. AS she sat, she realized something was underneath her and she git up to reveal someone's wallet. She was a good person and wanted to return it so she opened it to see whom to belonged too. Imagine her surprise to find out that it was the man from the party last night. His name appeared to be Andrew Hart. She smiled to herself. I like that name she thought to herself.
She sat the apple down on the table and grabbed her purse from upstairs. She looked in her mirror and straightened her hair. She gave a big smile at herself and saw that it didn't suit her. She shrugged and left her room and down the stairs. She walked briskly out the front door. Taking the wallet from her pocket, she looked at the ID inside and saw that he didn't live very far from their house.
She enjoyed this walk and sung a little song along the way. She passed a park and went down a few a blocks past that. She arrived at the doorstep of the address on the Driver's License and glanced up. It was a very nice house and on a quiet street. She decided she liked it very much. She took a deep breath and knocked loudly on the door.
Opening the door revealed a very small girl, perhaps the girl in the blue dress Koby had seen next to Rayna the previous night. He smiled warmly at her, before a smirk crossed his face, "You looked better in the blue dress," Koby sighed, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. "Well, what do you want?" Koby asked rudely, clearly back to his normal self. If she didn't want him, then she wasn't worth talking to.
"I found this wallet this morning, um, I believe it's Andrew Harts?" Came the small reply. Koby raised an eyebrow and let his hands fall to his side before moving back from the door, a smile crossing his lips. "ANDREW. ANDREW GET YO ASS DOWN HERE," Koby looked back at the girl and smiled innocently, "He'll be just a moment,"
Koby could hear Andrew stomp down the stairs. "Was that really necessary? I was having a really nice sleep." But his words faded as he saw the beautiful girl from last night. Andrew blushed at the kind girl as he realized he was in his pajamas. "Uh... Hello..?" He said idiotically. Koby punched Andrew's shoulder, "This girl has your wallet." Koby declared with attitude, shoving Andrew forward towards the girl before walking back to where his video game was waiting.
This reminded Koby vaguely of last night, the girl that had slept in his arms and left in the morning with so much as a good bye. Wasn't that supposed to be the boy's job? Sighing, Koby thought he should contact her, but she was the one who left him. He decided to leave it at that.
Koby walked outside, putting on his jacket and found it was drizzling. Koby smiled, looking up towards the sky, rain drops falling directly on his face. He started jogging in the direction of the sorority he left earlier that day, finally making it to the castle in one piece - but thoroughly drenched. Puffing, Koby knocked on the front door to the sorority, a hand over his head, steering rain drops away from his face, his clothes dripping. He knocked on the door, waiting for a reply.
It was a fun kind of pick up. Not the sexual kind that he would usual do to bring on girls. He smelt her hair - strawberry. It drove sensations through his body again, making him warm. Walking into the kitchen, he sat Rayna down on the counter before scoping out her kitchen. "Hmm, Koby looked around the kitchen seeing can's of tomato soup, pasta. He opened up the fridge, letting a rush of cool air surround him. He spotted things he could do to make a salad. Smiling, Koby grabbed some cucumber, lettuce and tomatos and spun around to open the cupboard where he had spotted tomato sauce and thin pasta. He was going to make spaghetti. After venturing around the kitchen, Koby finally pulled out a pan and a bowl, the pan for the pasta, the bowl for the salad. He opened up the tomato sauce can and poured it all in the pan, turning on the stove. He opened up the packet of spaghetti, placing them in a bowel, running hot water over them. Koby then looked at Rayna, who appeared to be getting bored. With a mischievous grin, Koby flicked pasta at Rayna, before quickly going to her to stop her from moving anywhere to flick him back with anything.
But she just sat there, waiting for her meal to be prepared. With a mischievous grin, Koby flicked pasta at Rayna, before quickly going to her to stop her from moving anywhere to flick him back with anything. She then a grin herself as he had surrounded her with his arms. "I don't think so." Then they both began to laugh. It wasn't anything but everything. But Rayna pushed him off as she turned on the stove for him. "You don't mind that I help, right?" Her eyes brightened as he came over and poured the sauce into the pan. "Want to stir that for me?" He asked politely. She did as he asked and began to slowly stir the pot. She didn't mean to but it was so sensual. She could hear him searching through the cupboards again, adding things to the sauce as she kept stirring. "This better be good," Rayna said jokingly. Then she felt him around her. He grabbed the spoon and stirred with her. It reminded her of dancing with him, being close and all the touching. It was a magical night even though it was still blurry in some areas. They moved together, there arms going in circles as the aroma of tomatoes filled her nose. "Mmmm.." She mumbled as she felt his abs rubbing on her back. Another roar of thunder cried over the skies and Rayna dropped the spoon, turning to hold Koby. "Sorry... I know you must think I'm really weird.. I just really hate storms..." Her hands were shaky as he began to rub his hands over her back.
"The sauce is ready," Koby smirked, pointing at the sauce. He grabbed the pan full of water and pasta and grabbed a drainer. He poured the pan over the drainer, the drainer catching the pasta, letting the water run free. Koby came up behind Rayna as she stirred the sauce and curled his arm around her small waist, pouring the pasta into the sauce. "You keep stirring," Koby whispered into her ear as he placed down the drainer on the counter. His other hand found it's way to Rayna's waist, holding her close to his bare chest. He liked how short she was - it made him feel like her guardian of sorts. Sighing, he started to whisper in Rayna's ear. "I'm sorry about last night and the way I made you feel," Koby began, his voice so soft, like velvet. "I didn't mean to intrude on your personal space, or make you feel uncomfortable, but you" Koby nibbled her ear lobe as Rayna's stirred the pasta into the sauce, "Are one beautiful girl, and you're making me feel," Koby was lost for words, pulling his head away from her ear, "You're making me feel...wanted," Koby sort of choked on the word, as if only realising it for the first time. This girl he held around the waist, so closely against his body, he knew there was something in him that she wanted, and he knew for sure what he wanted from her. And to his surprise, it wasn't the usual thing he wanted from girls that looked like her. Koby had actually meant it - she made him feel wanted. The only reason he was a player, was because the girls he was ever with were players like him. They played his game, and when he got this close to them, they pulled another trick on him, him walking away the fool.
No, Koby wasn't going to do this, this time. He was going to change.
"I'm sorry about last night and the way I made you feel," Koby began, his voice so soft, like velvet. [/b]"I didn't mean to intrude on your personal space, or make you feel uncomfortable, but you"[/b] Koby nibbled her ear lobe as Rayna's stirred the pasta into the sauce, she wouldn't stop him, "Are one beautiful girl, and you're making me feel," Koby seemed to be stuck on words. the voice inside her head chimed in, Damn.. What was that line again? Oh right! But Koby finished his sentence, "You're making me feel...wanted," She smiled. Though she couldn't relate. Her father had wanted to beat her and boys had always wanted her. She knew she was attractive, which was most of why she never trusted guys. They just wanted her beauty, not the real. Then she had a reality check. He knew nothing about her. She wasn't about to start telling him her life story but he literally knew her name, and that was it. She immediately backed away from him, not saying a word. Placing her hand over her forehead she held back her tears. She was tired of the lies and games.
She looked up as she heard Andrew come down the stairs complaining about the guy's yelling. Once he saw her, he stopped dead in his tracks and stuttered, "Uh,...Hello?". The guy told him what she was here for and she shot him a look. She was pretty sure she had a voice, no matter how small. Andrew stepped up to her and apologized for his friend named Koby. "Oh no, it's ok.." she said.
She glanced around and snapped her eyes back to him as he gave her a charming smile. She blushed and put her head down. No wonder the ginger got to him first, she couldn't even look him straight in the eye. She felt pathetic. He spoke up again, " Something about my wallet?"
Just he spoke, Koby got up from the game to leave. As he opened the door, it was drizzling outside. She sighed as she saw the water come down thinking "Great, now I have to walk in the rain." Turning her attention back to the man in front of her she said "Right, I believe you left this at the house last night, after you left with the pretty red-haired girl"
Jake coughed in the corner, but it sounded like he was trying to cover up a laugh. "Excuse me, I have some things I need to do upstairs," He said and snuck away.
Koby was furious, completely shattered and utterly confused in Rayna. He was walking alone, as the rain pelted down on his skin, stinging the scratches and bite mark on his skin. This angered him further, remembering that he sat there with her, holding her. She's too emotional, too temperamental, too high maintenance, Koby thought, making up reasons as to why he shouldn't keep holding onto some form of hope in their friendship. He walked alone in the rain, back towards Jake and Andrew's apartment, soaking wet and cold to the bone.
Koby opened up the door, not even bothering to knock, letting himself into the apartment where he found Andrew, Jake and that girl sitting in the kitchen. He glared at them all, water dripping rapidly off his skin. Anger was pure in his eyes, hatred towards everyone of them. He walked straight pass them, with so much as a glance from Andrew, they seemed to know better than to talk to him. Although, Koby knew Jake would soon be after him. Koby walked towards the laundry room, stripping down to just the underwear he borrowed, chucking them into the washing machine before turning around to find a towel. He pulled the underwear off from underneath the towel, adding them to the washing machine. After setting the cycle on the machine, Koby slouched against the wall, letting the noise of the washing machine drown out his thoughts. He still hadn't inspected his scratches or bite mark, and he felt the need to neglect it.
All of a sudden lightning flashed and the lights flickered and went out. "Oh.. she said with a jump. She wasn't scared of the lightning, but she had always been scared of the dark. She blinked as her eyes adjusted and started to shake. She reached her hands out for the stranger searching for some form of comfort in the pitch black.
Finding her target, she clutched his shirt. " Sor..Sorry, it's just...the dark." She didn't really know this stranger, but he exuded warmth and she breathed his scent in deeply. He smelled like cologne and something else she couldn't quite place, but it was sweet and she really liked it.
As Jake rolled up to his apartment, he noticed all the lights were out. As he opened the front door he heard Andrew calling out to Koby. "Hey guys, if you find the counters in the kitchen underneath the sink, there should be candles there and a lighter," Jake pointed out, slowly making his way to the kitchen. He placed the pizza's on the table and used his hands to guide himself to his sink, helping Andrew find the candles. They were soon lit up and a dull, warm light filled the kitchen. "Koby, come get some food. Help yourself guys," Jake gestured to the pizzas.
Koby soon joined them in the kitchen, still wrapped in a towel. He sat on a stool, chowing down some pizza, slowly. He didn't seem to have an appetite. Jake finished his food quickly, "I'm going upstairs. Gotta make a phone call," Jake said, smiling. "Who to?" Koby asked, his face and tone expressionless. "An old friend I ran into at the pizza shop," Jake said and made his way upstairs to his room. Jake dialed in the numbers on the piece of paper Rayna gave him then pressed call. *Beep, beep, beep, beep..*Ring, ring* The phone connected to the other end, a hurried voice answering, "Hello? Rayna speaking," Jake smiled as he heard her voice.
"Hey there, enjoying your pizza?" Rayna smiled, of course she knew who this was.
"Well I had a piece and it was good, haha! How was yours?"
"Well there was this girl at the pizza shop and I was too distracted to ask her out."
Rayna giggled and ran her hand through her hair. He was cute.
"Oh really? Well if you had asked her out, what would you have said?"
"Well," He paused. She could tell he was planning out his words. "Hey, so.. I might be having a party next weekend. Did you wanna go? With me?"
Rayna didn't feel the same sensation like when she was with Koby. Maybe it's because he wasn't here in person. "Well if you had asked, she probably would have said she'll need to check her schedule and what time will you pick her up?"
"Of course, looking forward to it. Bye!"
"Bye," Jake hung up with a smile on his face. His first semi-date party-partner in quite a long while. He turned to now face Koby. "If it hadn't been obvious, I was on the phone," Jake laughed, standing up. It sounded like the rain had stopped completely, the lights slowly flickering back on. "Who though?" Koby asked, standing up with him. As the lights flickered on, both of their eyes had to adjust to the new light. "You'll meet her this weekend at my party," Jake was cheery and heading out of his room towards the stairs. "You're having a party?" Koby raised an eyebrow, a clear smirk on his face. "Well, I'm sorry but I doubt I'll be turning up. Take a picture of her or something for me," Koby had other plans in his mind for the weekend.
"Aw, now don't be like that Koby," Jake placed a hand on Koby's shoulder as they made their way down the stairs. "If it makes you feel better, there will be lots of other girls,"
Koby laughed, something cold. "There's only one girl there for me at the moment, Jake." Koby said so cold, so lost in thought.
"Well, at least come. We'll all be drunk and having too much fun for you to worry about it," Jake smiled brightly at Koby and Koby tried to grin back. How could this guy be so nice? "Fine," Koby shrugged Jake's hand off his shoulder, "But don't invite that stupid girl sorority, "
"Deal," Jake said, nodding before coming into the kitchen, spotting Fionna and Andrew.
"Party here, this weekend." He announced before going into the lounge room to continue playing games.
But today, after multiple coffees, she had gone to her studio, to create some sculptures. Which had caused her to feel even more tired than before. The rain had dragged out the time immensely, and she was drenched by the time she had gotten home. She had no idea that Rayna was even home.
Stretching, Rose stood up and got out of bed to see where the girls had been. She walked down the hallway and to the balcony of steps. She saw that downstairs near the front door, Rayna was interrogating Fionna. "Oh hey there, ladies" Rose purred, crossing her arms over her chest. "And what are we up to?" Rose stood as if she were a queen, expecting answers to be flying at her straight away.
She arrived home and was just taking off her shoes at the door when Rayna came up to her. " Fionna? Hey where have you been? Oh, and what happened to you at the part last night? " Fionna was a little taken aback by Rayna's sudden change. She didn't seem tolike her very much at the party last night. " Oh, well, a guy left his wallet here last night, and I was just returning it to him. It started raining hard, so I had to stay there for a few hours. He was nice," she said and blushed. She looked up as Rose spoke. She didn't know her as well as she knew Rayna so she waved at her shyly.
Over the following days before the party, Rose completed multiple pieces of art sculptures, proudly showing them off to anyone who would bother turning their heads in her direction. She would take pictures from all kinds of angles before posting them onto facebook, before showing anyone who would ask her how her work was going. Rose hadn't heard much from anybody, particularly any boy's in her like. Which she was really disappointed about. But, one thing she was sure excited about was the party that was happening this weekend. She was giggling, getting all excited the night before and decided to stop by the shops to get more credit for her phone which was expiring. Behind her, she saw tall dark and handsome. She looked behind her, raising an eyebrow, a mischievous grin upon her already manipulating features. Placing one hand on her hip she turned towards the man. "Why, hello." Rose nodded her head in his direction, capturing the full attention of this male specimen with her curves and sexy short shorts. The man faced her, a raised eye brow matching her own, "Yes?" He wasn't taken aback by the beauty of the woman standing before him. If anything, he was clearly distracted.
Rose soon realised who she had been checking out. Instantly, she got into her gossip mode. "You were at my party last weekend. You...you went up stairs with some chick. Rennie...Ronda...Raynie..Rayna! You went upstairs with Rayna!" An audible groan escaped the lips from the man. He moved in front of Rose, ordering his credit for his mobile too. "What of it?" Koby glared at her. "You seeing her?" Rose licked her lips, her eyes flirting with this hot piece of man. Koby rolled his eyes, ignoring her. Rose quickly gathered up the gist of things, figuring if anything, they would not have contacted each other. Rayna was too up tight anyway.
As Koby began to walk away, Rose quickly caught up to him, "Are you going to that party this weekend?" She pressed, brushing his arm with her own. He didn't seem to notice. "Yes," He said, turning the secluded corner, hidden away from everybody else to where his car was parked. Rose abruptly moved in front of him, forcing him to lean up against the wall. "What?" He whined. Rose placed her arms either side of Koby, eyeing his body off. "Come with me to the party," She breathed to him. She was so much like him. So...manipulative in the sense of using her body against him. So much cleavage was showing he couldn't help but stare. "We could have fun you know.." Rose didn't know why she was interested in this man. Something about Rayna having him before her peeved her off, but now she wanted to show her that she could also get him. She cocked an eyebrow, leaning in close to him, pressing her body close to his, edging him. Koby breathed out a "Fine" before pushing her away from him and climbing into his car. Rose straightened herself and smiled mischievously, waving good bye. She was pleased with this.
Staying at Jake and Andrew's apartment didn't do him much good. Always hearing Jake on the phone to this girl bugged him something awful seeing as Jake was getting so much more attention than Koby was. He shrugged it off, only because he knew his friend rarely had these chances. Deep down, he knew he was quite happy for him. Koby's week of usual activities had consisted of his classes with Jake in script writing and productions. It didn't really interest him much. He was too focused on the girl he couldn't have, couldn't touch and well, love. But the day he went to the shops, the day before the party, he ran into a sorority girl. And that sorority girl seemed to be Koby's equal. On the ride home, Koby was smiling maliciously all the way. He knew what he would do to get Rayna back. And he knew it would hurt.
By the time the day of the party rolled around, Jake was buzzing with excitement to introduce his new girl friend to his close mates. He could tell it was getting on Koby's nerves, the way Jake was excited to show his friend this new girl. Koby had known that feeling not too long ago too. The same feeling where it was that excitement and boundaries that could be tested and finding out things he didn't know before. But now, Koby lost that feeling and he was back to his old self. Lust and that was it. Jake didn't approve of it, but he couldn't change it either. So instead, he got Andrew and Koby to help move the furniture around the apartment so people could fit in and dance without damaging anything. They moved couches to the wall, and brought as much alcohol as possible from the local stores. They were set, and now all they had to do was get ready and wait for the time to roll by to where the party was mean to start.
Jake dressed in a very casual attire. He had a shower, shaving his face and washing his hair. He brushed his teeth and got dress. Wearing converse with tight salmon-colour, knee length denim shorts, and a white singlet to match. So simple, yet, it showed so much muscle and skin that girls would literally be dying to touch him and get a taste of the real Jake. Jake had already set up a play list to go for the night and now just awaited his guests.
Koby had gotten dressed into a black, plain t-shirt with black jeans to match. He wasn't in the mood he was last week. He was in a much darker mood; a mood to hurt people. He knew that he had a date that night, and he knew he'd be as close and ready to score when possible. Again, Jake didn't approve of his intentions as they had multiple arguments leading up to the night, but Jake couldn't stop him. Koby was Koby and what Koby wanted, he'd get.
It was finally the end of the week, party time. Rayna hadn't been able to get a new dress but she did find her favorite skirt and blouse, as she slid them on she heard a knock on the door. Sighing she opened the door. It was Fionna, who drew a bright smile to her face. "Do I look okay? I didn't wanna look too whore-ish and yet kind of sophisticated..." Fionna's little giggle made Rayna's nerve calm down as she said, "You look good! Now help me!" They scurried off to the F room as Rayna began to dig through her closet. "Ta-da!" She screamed with excitement as she pulled out a little black dress. Putting it on both of the girls went to the bathroom to do their make up, ignoring the fact Rose was even in the house.
The day of the party was nerve wracking. Andrew had already taken 2 showers and borrowed Jake's cologne. He didn't know if he should pick her up, adding he didn't know her phone number. Andrew brushed his hair as he walked down to help move around furniture. "You know the drill. If things are going down, put this around the door handle." Jake announced as he handed out green ribbons. It was a pretty smart idea. Andrew nodded as he put the ribbon in his pocket. He doubted that he would need to use it but it'd be cool to have the boys guessing. Now they'd just wait for the girls and the party would be on.
Frowning, Rose wanted to know where Rayna and Fionna had gotten to. Walking down the hallway that lead to the other R and an F door, Rose had found Rayna in Fionna's room. They were giggling in their outfits, complimenting each other. It was a strong distaste on Rose's part. A sour look urging on her face. But she covered up quickly with a smile, stepping into Fionna's room. "Ahh girls, you look so..." Rose looked Rayna up and down then at Fionna, a nod of approval, "Nice" Rose smiled distastefully at the last word before grabbing Fionna and Rayna's hand. "C'mon, we're going now!" Rose said, smiling normally, her features not looking so sour and mean for once. She was actually genuinely beautiful. Fionna smiled shyly, so uncertain of this woman, but whispered an okay. However, Rayna pulled away and stood still, "I'm getting picked up," she said. Rose raised her eye brows in surprise. But she wasn't interested in getting any further information. "Suit yourself," And with that, Rose pulled Fionna out to the car and they drove off to Jake's apartment.
Once they had arrived, Rose saw the open door to the apartment and grinned. She pulled Fionna along like a puppy and they walked in together. People had already started arriving but it was only a handful of people. Rose loves parties, and this one was just the perfect one for something she had planned up her sleeve. Her next plan was to now ditch the shy Fionna in search for Koby. "I've got to find someone...make do with what you got," Rose said to Fionna before leaving her. Rose walked around for barely two minutes before finding Koby in the kitchen making drinks, already looking as if he'd had several himself. She walked up behind him, putting her hands around his waist, moving them up and down his abdominals. She standing behind him, even though he practically paid no attention to her whatsoever. "Hi," He said, a smirk in his voice. He hadn't seen her coming, but he wasn't surprised either. If anything, he expected it. Koby turned around to face her, a drink in his hand offering to her. Rose cocked an eyebrow, her hips connected to his, trying to get this stubborn man on edge around her. But it seemed he was immune to her straight forward sex appeal. She downed the drink quickly then pulled him back into the lounge room, where the music was turned up and several people started dancing as six o'clock rolled around.
"I'm going to go pick up the girl and I'll be back," Koby heard Jake say. All he did was nod.
The music could be heard several apartments away, and Jake shook his head. There were to be a lot of complaints tonight. But it didn't bother him too badly. He quickly got out of the car to open Rayna's door for her and let her out. The front door of the apartment was wide open, letting people stand outside and talk and smoke. Inside, it was flesh on flesh, so cramped and so many people. Koby was dancing with Rose. Rose was dragging her hands all over his body, touching him and lowering herself to his groin just to come back up again, probably giving him a good look of her cleavage once again. Jake rolled his eyes, still having a smile on his lips. "I want you to meet my best friend," Jake said into Rayna's ears over the music, nothing like what Koby would have done. He pulled her into the crowd of people before Koby and Rose. "Koby! Koby!" Jake shouted over the music, grabbing their attention. Koby stopped dancing and Rose stopped mid-grind. "This is Rayna, my date! Rayna, this is Koby, my best friend!" Jake shouted over the music, introducing the two. And the faces that came upon their faces was as if they'd seen a ghost.
The day of the party had finally arrived and she found she desperately needed Rayna's help in finding a dress to wear. Rayna seemed more than happy to help her and after finding a great dress and fixing her hair just the way she liked it, Rose came in and dragged her away. Fionna gave Rayna a pitiful look saying help me as she and Rose left the house. Rose drove like a bat out of hell and Fionna unclutched her hands from the seat after they got to the house. Rose dragged her inside behind her and promptly left her to find her date.
Fionna, being rather short stood on her tiptoes, searching for Andrew. She couldn't find him and sighed. Maybe he really didn't like her. Maybe he preferred redheads. As she was thinking all these negative thoughts, one of her favorite songs came on. It fit the moment perfectly as her eyes found his across the room and she gave a small wave.
Koby would dip his head underneath Rose's jaw, kissing aggressively down her neck, his hands wondering over his hips, into the curve of her ass, back up and followed the pattern. He was rough, but Rose didn't seemed to mind, if anything she was encouraging it, arching her back into him, grinding up against him. They moved freely with the music against flesh and flesh of the others. They soon both became thirsty and decided they needed more drinks. Koby was well past being tipsy, and if there were a term behind wasted, he would use it. Koby was well near passing out point, but his anger fueled him. Rose was just as bad as Koby at that stage, always clinging to his side. They were the loudest there at this point, until everybody caught up to their number of drinks. They made their way back to the dance floor, sweating and breathing hard. Koby grabbed Rose's waist hard, pulling her up to his chest, his lips crashing on hers. Rose smiled against this, deepening it, not caring who was looking. Everybody was drunk anyway, it wouldn't matter. They both pulled away laughing and continued dancing.
Jake was starting to get a little exhausted from all the dancing and thought they could sit down in the kitchen for a while before they continue dancing. "Lets go sit down," He said, puffing. He grasped her hand tightly, not chancing to lose her in the crowd. He pulled her through to the kitchen, and placed her on a seat. "Want another drink?" Jake offered. Rayna nodded reluctantly. Jake shrugged, pouring her another drink and passing it to her. It wasn't strong. She didn't seem keen on drinking anyway. Jake walked around to the seat beside her and sat down, placing a hand on her knee. "You okay?" He asked, Rayna looked out of place.
Speaking of whom, she had seen the red hair in the corner of the kitchen, staring her down as if Fionna had taken something of hers.
She opened the door to Jake's room and saw he was wearing some sweats too, without his shirt on. "Sorry.. It's kind of hot in here.." He half smiled. Rose couldn't smile. She had just been slapped across the face with words. She had also forgotten to wipe off the running make up from her break down. Jake, noticing the black stains on her face, ran to her side, "What happened? I knew everything wasn't okay, please, you can trust me." But Rayna was done playing the "trust" game, especially when someone she trusted just ripped her apart. "Just some drunk mocking me. I guess I'm kind of fragile.."
Jake went and got some more snacks and another drink for them. He didn't know what movie Rayna chose, letting it surprise him. He sat up on the bed, leaning on his side, his body propped up on his elbow, his hand holding his head up. He patted the spot in front of him for Rayna to join him. His eyes were red, probably from playing the game so close to the tv, but it didn't seem to bother him.
The movie must have been funny, scoring a few giggles from Rayna, but Jake wouldn't know. He was more concerned about the almost-naked girl he held in his arms. She was beautiful, puffy eyes and all. She looked so...innocent. Her tough guard was done. She was vulnerable, just as much as he was. He tried to look back up at the tv screen, but her smile was making it so difficult. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, in comfort, reassurance and a slight hint that maybe the booze was sinking in. He was reluctant to reach for his drink to take a sip, even more so reluctant to shimmy back down into a comfortable position. Everytime Jake moved, Rayna would move with him, flesh on flesh. But not like outside the room. This flesh on flesh was...was something different. Jake felt the spark that ignited it. The electricity that flowed through his veins with every touch that was felt. He was smiling though, his perfect teeth showing. He turned Rayna's head to face him, distracting her from the movie. He looked at her eyes, trying to communicate with his own, hoping that what he was about to do was okay with her. He started to lean in, his breathing quiet. He planted a small, soft kiss on hers, only leaving her lips too soon to be satisfied. But it was something, and it was a start. He pulled back completely and leaned back into his previous position, holding her again, letting her continue with the movie.
Jake ran his free hand over her body - from her shoulder, to her waist, down her thigh and back up to her shoulder. He kissed her neck every now and then until his eyes started to get heavy. He layed back down, rolling over so his back faced her, falling asleep.
The smell of coffee instantly aroused his sense, awakening him the slightest. He breathed in heavily, his head pounding everytime his heart pumped blood. He heard footsteps from behind him, then a sudden burst of insults. "...counts if you were playing with yourself," and that was all he made out. He remained silent, ignoring the white noise that filled the sound of the room. He turned to the source of the noise. Ah, it was Rayna. His face was emotionless, his eyes cold. "And I wouldn't be surprised if a slut such as yourself slept with my best friend," He said cooly before moving to the chairs beside the dining room table. The house was trashed, a mess everywhere. Koby's eyes hurt. They were glassy and red. But everywhere he looked, was alcohol, cigarettes and rubbish from God knows what. Koby closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, his eyes on Rayna. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, his heart instantly melting. "Ugh, your face..." Koby shielded his eyes, looking away, "It really hurts to look. Your face is just so gross," Koby lowered his eyes to the table, resisting to smirk. "But you're too up yourself to notice," Koby grunted as a flash of pain went through his head. But then a door was opened and out walked a delicious slice of Rose.
Koby smiled, moving his legs out so she could sit down in his lap. She sauntered over, her hips waving from side to side naturally. She planted a kiss on top of Koby's forehead neatly before sitting down in his laptop. He kissed her neck softly, much more carefully than he did the night before. She was whispering things into this ear, things about last night and how they should do that again. Koby stifled a laugh, letting his free hand sit on her upper thigh. Rose turned her cold eyes toward Rayna, "Oh, you're still here?" She asked, raising her eye brows in surprise. "Who let you stay here? Who'd you sleep with?" Rose's smirk matched Kobys. They were two peas in a pod. Two very very horrible people. But they were disgustingly happy. Koby could see the anger flush Rayna's face. This he enjoyed. "Rayna, baby, don't you have a photo shoot? Shouldn't you rush off and leave Jake?" Rose giggled foolishly. She had obviously been let in on the know of the previous events. She was on Koby's side, obviously. Koby's eyes turned dark and cold, regrets instantly filling his hearts.
The way he held Rose just wasn't the same way he held Rayna. The way she fit into his arms was different to Rayna. It was forced and not natural. It was too for show. He knew it would be perfect with Rayna, but Rose was who he was with now. Even if it was a one night stand. He knew that he was stuck with one of them.
As she reached the hall, Jake was just coming out of the bathroom. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and was heading toward her with a big smile. As he came up to her she grabbed his arm, "Jake, I have a lot of problems. I don't really want to talk about them, but I'm just giving you a heads up. If you want to stop seeing me, I understand..." But Jake lifted her chin and kissed her, to shut her up of course. "What brought this on sweet lips?" Rayna blushed at the compliment, but still no smile. "Well, your friend...I think his name is... Koby? Well he said you think I'm too temperamental and just want to sleep with me...." Then Jake's smile disappeared too. He stormed downstairs and into the kitchen where Koby and Rose were still cuddled up.
She got up from the bed and searched the room for her shoes. She successfully found them and pulled them on. She pulled Andrew up from the bed playfully and he put his shoes on to leave. The party was still in full swing as they left the house. She didn't drive her car to the party and the night was pretty so she suggested that they walk the short distance to her house.
Before long they arrived and she unlocked the door. She showed him to the Tv room and he sat down on the couch. " Why don't you finds movie for us to watch while I get comfortable?" she said and went upstairs to her room and changed into her pajamas and straightened her hair in the mirror.
After she was satisfied with her appearance, she walked downstairs where Andrew waited on the couch. She saw that he had chosen one of her favorite movies, Mirror Mirror. "Oh, this is one of my favorites." she stated and sat down next to him. They both got comfortable, with her leaning her head on his shoulder and him with his arm around her. She looked up at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, hoping he would reciprocate with a kiss of his own.
Jake walked into the kitchen, a look of disgust engulfed his perfect features. Koby raised an eyebrow as he turned to face the person who had rushed into the kitchen. "Koby?" Jake almost practically growled, walking towards Koby. "We need to talk...now," Koby's face returned back to a simple composure, coffee in hand, they walked into the lounge room, leaving Rose in the kitchen. Jake put his hands on his hips, a glare crossing his face. "What did you say to Rayna?" Koby's eyes flashed open in surprise. "What did I say to...what's her name again?" Koby's face turned into a smirk. Jake sighed, bringing his hands to his forehead, rubbing his temples. "Okay, Koby, whatever you said to her, cut it out. She's the only girl I've liked in a while. You know that. Don't ruin it," Koby rolled his eyes, "Man, you should have seen the insults she said, far out.." His head was pounding harder than before, due to the amount of stress before him. "Alright, I'll stop," he said, giving in. His head hurt too much. He looked at Jake before turning around to walk into the kitchen back to Rose. Jake followed after him, but walked straight past and up the stairs back to Rayna.
"Okay, he should stop now," A smile crossed his face, trying to cheer her up.
Rayna immediately pointed at the pancakes on the menu. Jake smiled, chuckling quietly, "Guess you want pancakes?" Rayna nodded, so Jake nodded as well. Kelly took back the menu, nodding and headed out to the back preparing the the meal for two. "And two coffee's as well!" Rayna shouted. She dragged him to her favorite part of the small diner that was situated at the back, near the window that faced the road. They sat down side-by-side, making small talk until their food arrived.
Out came the plump lady again with the pancakes on one plate and two cups of coffee on another. She placed them down carefully, and walked away without a word. Jake smiled, breathing in the delicious smelling food. It was only on one plate however, it didn't bother him. The food was smothered in syrup and butter. He hadn't realized how hungry he really was. "Dig in." Rayna and Jake said together, sharing the meal. Their hands would touch every so often, a spark occurring every so often, making Jake's urge for Rayna strong.
After they completed their meal, Jake leaned back and placing his arm around Rayna's shoulder, Rayna drinking in the warm coffee. "So, what did Koby say to you?" Jake raised an eyebrow, quite similar to how Koby would have done it.
The drive home felt a lot longer than it should have. Rayna had put on the radio and blasted the music, to avoid talking. This morning was big, ever since she went into university her whole life had changed. All the classes were insane and now she had to miss class this week for a photo shoot. C'est la vie. After telling Jake where to turn they arrived at her palace. "Last night was really fun," She said sincerely. It really had been the most fun she'd had at a party since forever. Jake leaned closer, "I had fun too" They both felt the overwhelming urge to be closer. Then Rayna went in for the kill. She didn't just kiss him, it was almost a "This is the last time I'll see you, so let's make it count" kiss. She put her hand in his hair and he pulled her closer with his hand on her hip. When they finally cooled down she gave him one last peck on his cheek. "Call me tomorrow?" She winked as she headed inside. Probably going to nap, because she didn't get much sleep and knew she had a ton of classes tomorrow.
But Andrews walk was misguided. He didn't end up at home, but at the park. The same park he was at the weekend before. This park was full of his memories. It was where he'd go when he was upset and happy. The park was just very special. He never went during the day, especially alone, because people would end up questioning his intentions. He sat on the bench, still intoxicated and fell asleep there.
When he woke up, there were kids on the play ground. The mother was on the other side of the park, she probably told her kids to stay away from him. The old man, randomly in a park, who smelt strongly like alcohol. He covered his eyes from the sun which was beaming down on him. He looked at his watch, 11:43am. He felt his pockets for his cell, to call Jake and be rescued, but it must have fell out when he was in his room. Andrew was then stuck and felt too tired to walk. But what other choice did he have? So Andrew looked around at the streets and had somewhat an idea where he was. So he got up and started walking home.
Once Jake arrived home, Koby was nowhere to be seen. What day was it? Sunday? Koby was probably wondering back home preparing for his week. But Jake still found Rose sitting in the kitchen, twirling her fingers around the top of the coffee cup. She turned her head towards him as he entered the kitchen, "Ah, Jake," Jake nodded in Rose's direction, planning to walk straight past her to his room, "Koby said he'll stop by later tonight to chill out," She said to his back. Jake stopped walking and turned around. Rose had stood up. She was wearing a very low cut black singlet and short denim shorts. It enhanced the sexy curves of her body, more than the dress she wore the night before did. Jake rolled his eyes mentally, knowing exactly what her intentions were. "Where's your little friend?" Her voice sounded like velvet, and she sauntered towards him slowly, her hips swaying from side to side. He stood still, back straight and arms across his chest. "I dropped her back at her home," He replied simply, just a simple statement. "The sorority?" Rose corrected, raising an eyebrow. She was just in front of Jake at that point, practically breathing on him like she had to seduce Koby to be her date for the partner. But Jake would not be wavered. He was too loyal.
"What do you want Rose?" Jake said coldly as she trailed a hand up and down his forearm. "I think you know, Jake," She practically purred. She was a person driven by deceit and lust. Her body was built for what she wanted. But what she wanted she could not get from Jake. This time, Jake rolled his eyes physically, and this offended Rose. "Don't I appeal to you? Don't you want me?" Rose put her fingers in the hoops of her denim shorts, slightly pulling them down. Jake just shook his head, "You're perfect for Koby, you see. Now, go home. " Jake put his arms back on his sides and turned to go back to his room. "There's a lot of things you don't know Jake!" Rose called out from behind him. But he didn't care, she was a liar anyway.
Rose then left the house to walk back to the sorority.
When she got up that morning, she was still upset. She wanted to just lay in her room all day, but moping wouldn't do her any good. She decided to make a song for this moment in her life but it felt like she should use a guitar for it. She got dressed and grabbed the case and went downstairs. She looked forlornly at the couch where they had sat last night and saw a phone on it. It was just like Andrew to leave something else at her house. She picked it up and stepped outside. She would go to his house and return it later, for now, she wanted to get these feelings out through song.
She went to the park she had seen before that was very nice. She found a nice open space and pulled her guitar from it's case. She fiddled with it for a bit, tuning it and then a song formed in her head and she played it as it came.
During the week Andrew focused on school. He had been back to his normal self, except he had started to drink. Regularly. Every night before bed he'd have 2 beers, almost like an obsession. Little did he realize, when he was intoxicated, he became a different person. He was demanding and rude. But at school he was the soft, and timid. The good Andrew.
Then it was Thursday. The day he had been dreading. He had a big exam and he still felt unprepared. Plus he was 20 minutes behind schedule. He rushed into the kitchen, with his buttons on his shirt buttoned wrong. "Woah dude. Calm down." Jake said so casually. But he didn't have time to stay calm. He quickly made a coffee and then wondered why Jake wasn't rushing. Jake obviously knew what he was thinking, "I have a spare this morning" Then Andrew almost ran into the door. Slipping on his shoes he was about to go when he heard Jake yell, "Remember I won't be home later. I have a double date with Koby and Rose." Then Andrew was off.
Finally it was Thursday. She had just gotten home from uni when she had to figure out what to wear. Thankfully she had gotten a new outfit from the latest photo shoot she did. She slid into her new striped dress and pink raincoat and twirled around in front of her mirror. She even took the time to curl her hair. Grabbing her favorite lip gloss, she chucked it into her purse. She knew Jake would be here any second and she kept walking past the mirror to make sure she didn't look like a fool. Even though she was a model, she was still very self conscious.
His shower had been long and full of thought; some thoughts he never considered. He shaved his face and brushed his teeth and got changed. He settled on wearing a black collared shirt and tie with blue denim jeans and his converse. His blond hair wasn't aiming on co-operating with him, so he left it as it would usually sit and put on his favorite cologne, grabbed his keys and headed towards his front door where he was met by Andrew. "Yep, going out now," Jake nodded, answering the silence that Andrew gave him through a frown. Jake got in the car and started it up and headed towards the sorority. He was smiling as he drove up to the drive way, and tried to be quiet as he got out of the car. He closed his door quietly and was light on his feet as he ascended the stairs to the front door. He was hoping that the front door was unlocked so he could sneak in and surprise Rayna. In his favor, the door was unlocked.
Much like the stance of a burglar, Jake snuck up the stairs, noting the two doors that had the letter R on them. His eyes grew wide, knowing very well one of those doors could lead to Rose's room, and that was an event he was keen on missing out on. Instead, he slowly pushed on the door that was slightly open and found a very stressed girl walking past her mirror back and forth. Jake's face lit up as he jogged in, catching Rayna by surprise. He lifted her up and marveled at her outfit. "Beautiful," He said in awe, leaving little kisses on her cheek, on her neck and lastly on her lips. He still had a smile on his face as he put her feet back on the ground. "Lets go before Koby comes to pick up Rose," Jake whispered into her ear, dragging her forward to leave. She quickly grabbed her purse and they headed down stairs to the car.
The car ride was filled with a comfortable silence as they headed towards a gold class cinema further in the city area. They held hands the whole ride with music quietly playing filling the car. Once they arrived, Jake quickly got out of the car to open Rayna's door. A smile lit up her face in his gentleman discourse. He helped her out, holding her hand and waist before closing the car door and heading towards the entrance. Once they made it inside, they decided to have some dinner after seeing the movie. They stood on the escalators that took them upstairs to the cinema, and started viewing which movies to see, and started waiting on Rose and Koby to arrive.
Koby waited half an hour after Jake had texted him saying he's now picking up Rayna, so Koby took the time to find something suitable to wear. He had no clue where the place he was going to was, or what attire was required, but he settled on some dark jeans that he had worn to the sorority during the storm, and a white t-shirt underneath a black formal jacket, and black formal shoes. Semi-formal Koby assumed. He didn't bother with his hair, running his hands through it as he thought about it and walked out to his car to pick up Rose. When he got in the car, his phone vibrated, receiving a message from Jake saying they're going to the gold class cinema in the city. Koby rolled his eyes, how cliche, he thought.
When Koby arrived at the sorority, Rose was already standing outside, wearing a skin tight white dress. She definitely looked good, with her hair out and moving slightly with the wind. Koby didn't bother stepping out of the car to let her in, but beeped the horn instead and she climbed in herself after checking the front door was locked. They drove in dead silence, Rose trying to place her hand on Koby's thigh every so often. But he kept brushing her away. He was clearly in a foul mood and not to be messed with, but Rose was more determined than that. When they parked outside the huge shopping centre, Rose leaned over the middle of the car and planted a kiss on Koby's lips, "Lighten up, sweetheart," She purred, tracing her hand down his chest and then hopped out of the car. This didn't change Koby's mood, but it motivated him to hurt Rayna again.
They made their way upstairs and soon found Jake and Rose standing in each other's arms, seeming to discuss movie options and dinner options. Koby clutched onto Rose's hand "May as well make it look good," He muttered more to himself than to Rose, who didn't really seem to notice. They approached the couple before them, forced smiles across their faces. "Jake, Rayna." Koby greeted them through gritted teeth. Koby was speechless by the beauty his best friend held, and how downright betrayed he felt by her. His hurt was covered by revenge and hurt to be caused. "What movie have we settled on?" He asked, trying hard not to meet Rayna's eyes. "Breaking Dawn part two," Jake replied, clearly trying not to groan. Rose squealed at Koby's side. "Girls choice," Koby shrugged. They then all lined up for their tickets.
As they entered the cinema, she was still holding onto Jake for dear life. She knew if she showed any doubt in their relationship she might just cuddle up to Koby. and that was not an option. They all sat down with Rayna and Koby in the middle. Strategically planned by Jake so they could "get along". Jake leaned over and kissed her as they sat down, "Want any snacks?" She rubbed his fore arm, "Maybe just a cherry slurpee?" He nodded and walked off. Then Rayna looked over at Koby and Rose. Immediately Koby placed his hand on Rose's thigh. She cringed and put her hands on her lap. Trying not to stare, and show the jealousy in her eyes.
He fell silent, lost again in the innocence of her eyes. He saw hatred and regret, probably hurt too but more ignorance in the current situation. He knew he'd lost her this time. Lost her to his best friend. How stupid was he that one night at the sorority? "Remember who held you, Rayna," Koby muttered before Jake came back and sat down beside her, placing an arm around her shoulder, "How's everybody holding up?" Jake smiled brightly. The opening previews played on the audiences faces, quietening those who spoke. Koby's hand rose higher up Rose's leg, Rose holding onto Koby's hand. She gave him a long, deep kiss before the movie started. Koby's forearm was still touching Rayna's and drove him into a fluster of emotions, a spark sitting right between them. He wanted to get down on his knees and apologise, and ask her to come back. But that was the last thing on his agenda for her.
The movie ended and she pulled her hand away faster than a cheetah in full sprint. She let Jake kiss her cheek as all of them got up to get their things. She glanced at Koby who was staring at her. What did I just do.. With a sigh, the group walked out of the theater and into their cars. "See, wasn't that bad? Think you'll be able to endure a dinner with him?" Jake said as he began to back out of the parking space. She half smiled, "yea.." Then she left it at that until they got to the restaurant. Rayna and Jake were seated by the waiter, as they had arrived first, and waited for the other "couple" that would join them.
Inside, the restaurant was fairly high class. Koby felt lucky to pick out the clothes he found. The evening sun was flowing in through the windows, lighting up the large room. There were windows from the ceiling to the floor, white, silk curtains framing them. The tables and chairs were all elegant in design, a mahogany against cream tiles. Koby was quite surprised at the choice of the restaurant. What was Jake trying to prove to Rayna? Koby wasn't angry, not yet. But this was quite off the railing for a first date... for either of the couples.
Rose finally caught up to Koby after Koby had spotted Jake and Rayna at the podium, finding their already reserved seats. Jake had motioned to Koby to just follow after saying their names to the host. Jake pulled out a seat for Rayna to sit on, Jake sitting beside her. Rose was already sitting down next to Jake before Koby had the chance to pull out a chair, so he ended up sitting next to Rayna again. He could not endure another half an hour of this. He could not endure just one simple dinner, watching her be with his best friend even when she knew. But no, Jake didn't know. Jake had no clue that they knew each other, or better yet, even knew they had been together. If only he had gone to that party. Jake cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen on their table. He picked up one of the very fancy menu's before him and turned to Rayna, "What are you getting?" He asked, his voice quiet, as if not to disturb any other customers around him. Koby looked at Rose, not bothering to listen to Rayna's response. It seems Rose had already chosen her meal, waiting neatly with her legs folded and her arms on the table. "What are you getting?" Koby muttered. Rose daintily picked up her menu and pointed to her choice. Ugh, seafood... Rose smiled at Koby's distaste. He wasn't feeling rather hungry, if anything he had no appetite but he had chosen a simple meat dish of steak and vegetables.
"So, how did we enjoy the movie?" Jake asked, innocently trying to create small talk. Koby resisted the urge to smirk as he said cooly, "Quite...touching. How sad that this was the last movie of the series," poison moved through his words. The words could almost be felt darting through the air towards Rayna before Jake replied, "Eh, it was too sappy for me," He shrugged it off, smiling and grabbing Rayna's hand on top of the table. "Well I thought it was so romantic," Rose sighed, placing her head on top of her hands. Rayna remained silent, looking quite pale in the midst of things. Maybe it was the light? Was that a tint of anger at the corner of her lips? Those lips. Koby would do anything to feel them against his own again. His hands were under the table, and he could feel the almost visible electricity between them as they sat side by side. He had to resist the sensations and instinct to place his hand on her knee. They were sitting all to close at the rounded table, they were sure to all notice.
"So, Rayna," Koby began, his voice sounding like venom. Her name sent a sensation running up and down his spine. "Have you chose an actual meal? Or a salad?" The question clearly a jab at her small, well-kept figure. A smirk was plastered all across his face. He looked at Rose for support but found none. She was frowning, and this was odd. "I think she should choose to a salad...she doesn't want anything else going to her hips," Ah, so Rose was still on Koby's side. The back up of her comment sent red colours flushing up Jake's face. "You two..." He sneered, shaking his head. "Why do you have to be rude?" He asked rhetorically. Koby shrugged simply. Rayna was looking at her hands that were now sitting in her lap. "It was a joke, Jake. Chill," Koby shrugged too, sighing. Jake rolled his eyes, "It wasn't funny, Koby. Cut it out" Silence fell among the table again, but it wasn't awkward. It was tension. Whether it was between Koby and Jake, Koby and Rayna, Rose and Rayna...or simply all four of them, when the waiter came to gather their orders, his eyes were darting around like flies, sweat breaking across his pimpled face.
In her current state of being, Fionna had completely forgotten about Andrew's phone. She had seen Andrew from time to time in the classes they shared, hut each time, she couldn't muster the wherewithal to speak or look at him.
It was Thursday now, and Fionna had an exam to take that she hadn't studied for. She pulled herself from her bed and dressed for her classes. After she was ready to face the day, Fionna grabbed her schoolbag and left the house.
She arrived at her class and took her seat, waiting for class to begin.
Then Rayna got up. She didn't really think it through, but she was standing, looking at all of them who were looking at her. "I'm going to the washroom.." She walked off, making sure not to trip in her heels. She was very clumsy when she was nervous or stressed. In the bathroom she made some funny faces in the mirror and tried to cheer herself up. But she wasn't happy. And no number of silly faces could fix it. As she walked back to the table Rose glared at her. Rayna glared back. She wanted to say Hey Rose, go suck a dick. Oh wait... You probably will tonight.. I guess you can wait. But Rayna had enough self control to just sit back down like the pretty girl she was. Once their meals had arrived everyone began to eat. The awkward was gone, all that was left was the hunger. But Rayna was still stressing and she only nibbled at her plate. She felt Koby's eyes look over and smirk. "Told you she should have gotten the salad..." Koby laughed at his "joke". But Jake was done. Jake pushed back from the table, "Are you done? Cause I'm done with your bull shit Koby. You are being a jerk to this beautiful girl that I really like. So shut up. This date was for you two to get along and at least that's what Rayna has been trying to do. But you are being an insensitive jerk." Rayna could see how red Jake's face was. He was more offended than her. "It's really fine.. I'm not that offended.. People say stuff like this all the time.." Rayna was cut off by Jake, "No. Just no. I don't care. You should be pissed right off. Koby has been picking on you all night and I'm sick of it." Jake got up and took out his wallet. He threw some bills on the table and began to walk out. Rayna, who was still at the table, slowly and awkwardly got up and started walking away. "Thanks for the great date... Let's do it again sometime, alright?" Rayna smiled with sarcasm as she grabbed her purse and went to meet Jake in the car.
He moved a free hand to rest on her thigh, "I'm sorry," he said again. "I should have handled it better.." He trailed off, circling his fingers on her knee. He felt her hand land on top of his, even though it felt so out of place, it was the only comfort offered. They soon arrived outside of the sorority, no sign of Rose being dropped off yet as all the lights were still out. Jake pulled up as close to the castle as possible before letting Rayna out of the car and walking her up to the front door in silence. Anger still rested on his skin and in his veins. How could Koby be so mean? Rayna opened the front door and turned to wave Jake off. Jake leaned down and pulled her close to him, holding her tightly before pulling back and planting a kiss on her lips that was more rough than usual. Probably out of anger, but it seemed like something more than that.
Without any goodbye, Jake walked back to the car leaving Rayna standing by the door watching him leave. He soon got home and went to bed.
"Well..." Rose began, "You could have done a WHOLE lot better tonight, I mean like" "Shut the fuck up Rose," Koby almost growled. He got in the car and started it up before Rose got in the car. He reversed out too fast, almost grazing and hitting the cars behind him. He didn't care. Adrenaline and hatred surged through his veins, his vision blurry and filled of anger. He wasn't going to drop Rose off. He was going to just leave her at the bus shelter. Driving like a mad man, Koby pulled up at the bus shelter and stopped, "What are we here for?" Rose frowned. "Get out." Koby said simply. She opened the car door before walking over to the shelter looking at Koby, "You coming?" She asked, oblivious to the fact that Koby wasn't going to move. Without a word, he pulled back out and drove in the direction of his house. He wasn't going to bother rocking up at Jake's house and harass him. He was too blind to see what type of girl he was with.
Instead, when Koby got home, he removed his tie and shoes, unbuttoned his shirt and walked straight to his refridgerator where a six-pack of beers awaited him loyally. Cracking open his first can, Koby turned on some music, loud enough that his neighbours asked him to turn it down, but he didn't. He sculled his first and second can before sipping the third. His eyes became red and glassy, his mind was blank. He became disappointed when he found the six-pack had disappeared and all was left were the cans before him. He trudged up stairs, taking his phone out and placing on his bedside table. He slept in the clothes he went out in, too screwed over to be bothered to do anything else but sleep.
He was shirtless and wearing the sweat pants he was wearing a few nights before. He reeked off alcohol, but it didn't bother him none, he couldn't tell. He squinted his eyes at the visitor before him, leaning closely to identify the person. "Hah, Rayna!?" He said, surprised. "What are you doing here?" He muttered, his voice slurred and hoarse. He cleared his throat, placing an arm around Rayna's shoulders, bringing her inside the house. "Sorry, if I knew you were coming..." Jake lost his track of thought, "Want somethin' to eat?" He raised an eyebrow over drowsey looking eyes. He took a swig from the bottle in his hand, breathing in deeply. "I haven't eaten yet..." He muttered. "Look at ya! You look so..." His voice trailed off as he walked back over to his seat, placing his head in his hands.
She tried to gently take the bottle but his grasp was firm. "Don't. I need it." Then she really began to fret. She sat next to him as he struggled to lift his head up. "I just can't believe someone I thought I knew so well... He acted like such a jerk... I thought we were friends!" He slammed his empty hand on the table, frightening Rayna. "Why don't we just lay down? You look like you should sleep this off?" Jake then turned to her and pulled her in for a kiss. It was gross and had no effort. She pulled back immediately. "What? You don't like my kisses, sweet lips?" She closed her eyes, trying to figure out what to say to her slob of a boyfriend. "Please... Just stop... You're freaking me out Jake..."
As Rayna got comfy moving her legs into a comfortable position, Jake grabbed her hand and kissed her finger tips lightly, breathing heavily, his eyes drooping. "Hmm, you're beautiful," He mumbled, sounding incoherent. Jake pulled Rayna' hand lightly to lift her arm over his chest to bring her on top of his chest, so that she was looking down on him. A goofy smile appeared his lips, a sigh escaping them. "So, Rayna.." Jake hinted as he kissed under her neck. The effect of the alcohol had long set in, enraging his senses and sensations and desires that needed to be filled. He trailed a kiss down her neck reaching her collar bone then turned her over so he was holding his weight above her. "When can we," - He stopped talking to grab her hand - "Take this to the next level?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk almost identical to Koby's crossing his face as he guided her hand to his inner thigh.
"Rayna!" Koby exclaimed, a frown crossing his features quickly before disappearing. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Koby's voice was sincere and caring, like it had been the night he held her when she broke down. All he heard on the other line were sobs and incoherent speech. "Look, Rayna, calm down. Listen, stand outside, I'll be there in a minute," He hung up quickly before running to grab his car keys and rushing outside to his car.
To his surprise, it was raining, almost storming. He groaned. He hated driving in storms. It unnerved him a little and to think he'd be also picking up a mess of a girl unnerved him more. He drove slower than he usually would, but he'd rather turn up at Jake's door step alive than dead. As he pulled up to the drive way, he saw a figure running towards the almost parked car. Before he had the chance, the girl opened the car door and flung herself to Koby's opened arms. "Shh.." Koby resisted the urge to smirk. This was almost like last time, except, this time, his friend screwed up. "Let me just get us home, I know that he'd be drunk..." Koby sneered. He pulled Rayna out of his arms, not looking at her face, or her eyes. He didn't want to look at her. He didn't want to be there for her again just to be pushed away, but he'd protect her from anything. He pulled back out of the driveway and headed home as the storm rolled on top of them, sending lightning bolts across the sky and lighting up the road.
When they arrived at Koby's home, he parked in the garage and got out quickly to open Rayna's door. She stumbled out of the car, still sobbing but not as heavily as before. She fell into his arms, not in romance, out of comfort. Koby placed his hand on the back of her head, holding her face against his warm chest. His other hand held her waist, stroking her back. They stood still for god knows how long before they finally stood apart.
In the kitchen, Koby made up a warm beverage for Rayna, hot cocoa. It smelt warm and frothy, and rich and chocolatey. Koby loved hot cocoa's. He walked back into the lounge, careful not to spill Rayna's drink. He found Rayna with her knees brought up to her chest sitting in the corner of the sofa bed. He handed her the drink carefully, her eyes looking as if they were analyzing everything. "I didn't spike it..." Koby joked half-heartedly. He took a seat in the recliner chair that was placed beside the sofa, but too far for Koby to touch her, or give her comfort. He hoped his very presence had given her comfort, for the fact the place was quiet and lit appropriately, he also hoped she knew he wouldn't do anything this time.
The storm outside was low like a bass, the house creaking slightly under the pressure, but not as violent as the previous one weeks before. The rain battered outside on the windows, making the house cooler than it usually was. "You going to tell me what happened...or do I have to guess?" Koby raised his eye brows, crossing his arms over his chest as he reclined back in the chair. He still wouldn't look at her face, or her eyes. He didn't want to create a fuss about something so simple.
Koby moved next to Rayna as she sobbed, turning her so that her curled up body was up against Koby's chest, an arm wrapped around her shoulders and his other hand caressing her legs as her knees were still against her chest. Koby closed his eyes, sighing. This is what it was meant to be like - without the crying. Just them, the two of them together, him holding her. He knew she was scared of storms, and he knew that she couldn't bare violence or men in general. Such a fragile heart and delicate figure. Koby pressed his head against her's, his lips near her ear. "Rayna," His voice wasn't like velvet, it wasn't like ice, and it wasn't like the sarcastic tone he usually held. His voice sounded... loving? "Rayna," He said again until her sobs quietened. "I still miss you..." He left it at that. He didn't move a bone in his body, he resisted the urge to breathe, and he didn't look at her eyes in fear of what he might see.
Koby looked down at the girl in his arms, the urge to kiss her lips was overwhelming, the spark more like an fire in his chest urging him to press his lips against hers. He knew the warmth to expect, the movement and electricity that would follow. He knew where it would stop too, he knew her limits. He knew her too well even for a short limit of time. But what he couldn't wash from his mind was the fact it was his best friend she was with. Was she worth it to throw a friendship like their's for a girl? Koby closed his eyes, edging his head away from hers, his arms too loose around her waist, not holding her tight enough.
Koby knew his limits. Those limits were to not cross his friends lines.
"I'm so sorry... I don't know what came over me..", "I never should have done that, I'm so dumb. Please forgive me?" and many others like, "Just text me back hun... I hope you're okay..."
Rayna clenched her jaw as she rolled over to face Koby. "Koby..." She said softly. She wanted to wake him without him upsetting him. "Koby.. Wake up.." She gently shook his arm as he began to moan. He went to kiss her cheek without thinking and she backed her head away. "I have to go see Jake.. He is worried about me. Could you drop me off?" Rayna crossed her fingers, knowing he would probably groan and be upset. She didn't really have another option. She definitely didn't pay attention on the way there and it was a much longer drive than any walk would be. She stroked his arm "Please?"
The drive was silent, the car moving too fast. What time was it? It would have to be early in the morning? Koby checked his dashboard clock. It was barely seven in the morning. He groaned loudly. His hands gripped the steering wheel hard, anger coursing his movements. They ended up at Jake's house too soon, Rayna silent the whole time. "Get out," Koby glared at her, making sure she closed the door properly before driving off again. This time, he headed in the direction of the sorority.
Koby's lips came crashing down on her's, urgent and desperate. His hands were exploring her body just as much as hers. He picked her up from underneath her thighs, placing her on the counter, pressing their bodies tighter together until there was no space. Koby trailed kisses down her neck, to her collar bone and landing just before her cleavage began before a knock at the open door behind them sounded, interrupting their actions.
Koby hadn't seen or heard of Rayna over the past month. Rose hadn't even said anything about her. What? Had Rayna just mysteriously disappeared? Or did she move in with Jake all of a sudden? They hadn't seen each other since their last encounter at the sorority, the last day they spoke and Koby ripped into her with his words. He was still angry at her, but he missed her still the same if not more than usual. Sometimes he imagined that Rose was Rayna, but it was never the same. The touch, the nervousness and the uncertainty - it had made their relationship special. But because Rose was overly confident and knew she was beautiful, it came off putting to Koby sometimes. The two girls were becoming a mess in his head, the less he saw Rayna. It scared him to think he was losing his best friend too. They hadn't spoken in almost month. There were no texts, no calls, nothing that showed he still cared. But that went the same for Koby. He didn't call or text either. They were both just as stubborn as the other.
But on Sunday night, Koby was laying on his bed with his arms behind his head and Rose laying with her head on his chest. They weren't sleeping, they weren't even talking. They were laying together in simple silence. Thoughts were running wildly through Koby's mind about his actions and what he had possibly lost. He sat up a little, nudging Rose as he did. Rose looked up at his face, a humph escaping her lips. "I should call Jake," Koby said quietly, his face close to hers. Rose nodded. She had come to terms on how important Jake was to him, and even how important Rayna was to him. She accepted those facts, but also loved that even though he though of Rayna, she was the one in his arms and not her. Rose kissed him lightly on the lips before leaving his bedroom so he could call his friend.
"Jake?"
"Yeah."
"It's Koby," A slight groan came from the other side of the phone.
"What do you want?" Jake's voice wasn't harsh, but it wasn't welcoming either. Koby sighed internally.
"I just wanted to talk. Can we meet up?" Koby's voice was sincere, long gone from the hatred and anger that fueled him a month before. A click ended the phone call, no response had come from Jake; not until an hour later when he texted "Come around tomorrow afternoon at 4 before Rayna comes over" and that was that.
Sunday morning Rayna woke up next to Jake. A sober, non head ache, Jake. "Good morning beautiful" He said as he shifted so he was over top of her. He kissed her neck and she giggled with delight. "Shhh... Andrew's probably still sleeping!" Rayna pointed to the door. But he kept kissing, "You say that every morning, but he doesn't seem to mind," She laughed some more, ending up on top of him. She sat over his abs, beginning to kiss his neck. They had been living in this puppy dog love for about a month now. She knew it wouldn't last forever, but it was definitely the best part of the relationship so far. So I have a photo shoot in an hour... Want to drive me?" She winked at him playfully. She knew he hated driving her places, but what was he going to say? No?
Rayna was just finishing off the shoot when she saw her phone buzz. Nude shoot tomorrow. Be prepared!"[/b] She cringed at the thought. She had never done a nude shoot and debated in her mind whether or not she should. First off would Jake be okay with it? Rayna read it again and again, finally realizing it was from Vogue. [i]The Vogue magazine. There wasn't a question about it. She was doing the shoot. On her bus ride home, Rayna decided to take out her sketch book. She seemed to be bringing it everywhere now since she had gotten so many ideas when she wasn't home. She began to draw the bus from pure memory of when she got on. When it was her stop, she closed the unfinished piece of art and began to walk to Jake's. She knew he wasn't home, he was working with Andrew on a film project, out on a beach somewhere. But using the spare key he gave her, she got into the house with ease. Placing her bag down, she decided to keep practicing video gaming.
Later that night when Jake came home Rayna decided she would make dinner. She cooked for about an hour and ended up making toast. Jake laughed, "That's cute... Let's get pizza okay?" She crossed her arms. She spent so much time making it. But she agreed since she was pretty famished as well. After calling in their orders, they watched an episode of Community. Cuddling and laughing was always her favorite pass time with Jake. She looked at the time, it had already been 25 minutes. "I'm going to pick up the pizza, k?" She kissed him softly as she grabbed her keys and drove off to the pizza place.
Koby showered once he got home and had nothing to do before heading over to Jake's house again. It was barely even one in the afternoon. The morning lecture only went for two hours. Koby sighed, wondering around his house, thinking of things he could do while he waited. He knew he should start the presentation that was due in two weeks time, but motivation escaped him, leaving him with endless thoughts of empty ideas. He walked over to the kitchen, picking up his phone. He wondered briefly what Rose might be up to. He shrugged, flicking through his contacts and selecting her number, calling her. "What's up?" Her voice answered. "Bored. Should be seeing Jake in three hours, but I have time to kill. Wanna come over?" Koby asked, leaning against the counter of the kitchen. He could almost hear her contemplating through the phone, but silence was all that he received. "Rose? Everything alright?" A sigh came through as response, "Yeah, everything is fine. Just freaking out over some assignments due. Yeah, I'll be over in fifteen," And the click of the phone signaled the ended phone call.
Rose came over for the afternoon, filling Koby's afternoon up by chatting away about her assignments and what him and Jake were to talk about. Koby already felt overwhelmed and became anxious to see his friend again. It was only half past three when he decided it was time to start heading over. Rose kissed his forehead as they departed their ways in their vehicles.
Koby arrived at Jake's house early, knocking on his front door, waiting patiently. "Coming!" He heard. A figure opened the door, but it was Andrew who answered. "Ah, Koby...I'll go get him..." Andrew didn't seem to surprised to see Koby, even maybe a little disappointed. Koby walked inside the familiar apartment into the lounge room and took up "his" seat. Jake soon walked into the lounge room and greeted him. "What did you need to talk to me about?" He asked, curious. His arms were folded against chest. Koby frowned by the sudden coldness that Jake had towards him. "I thought we could sort this out?" Koby prompted, gesturing his hands inbetween himself and Jake, hopefully giving Jake the hint. Jake nodded, "Hmm," He stood, staring down at Koby with silence. Koby assumed he was to make the first move.
"So, did Rayna-"
"Rayna told me everything," Jake cut Koby off. "Why didn't you just tell me! Why couldn't you have made this easy for yourself and just told me? We wouldn't have been in this situation if you didn't just tell me!" Jake hissed through gritted teeth. He never yelled, and this time wasn't an exception. His voice was quiet and low, words slivering through his teeth. Koby shrugged.
"You were happy," Koby said genuinely, looking his friend in the eye. Jake sighed, a groan following after it. His arms fell by his side in despair, falling back into the chair behind him.
"That's besides the point. You were so wound up by this girl, you were angry," Jake began, but Koby shook his head, cutting him off.
"It doesn't matter now, man. I got Rose. I'm over Rayna," Koby struggled to finish his sentence, knowing how untrue it was. He was far from being over Rayna. "I want to sort us out," Koby smiled, the first real smile in a while. Jake sighed, a smile creeping upon his lips too.
"I'm sorry," Koby said, standing up, putting his hand out for a hand shake. Jake stood up too, taking Koby's hand in his, pulling him in for a manly embrace.
"I'm sorry too, bro," Jake said. They let go of each other in an awkward stance, this having been their first recovery over a girl. "You know you could have told me," Jake said, shaking a finger in front of his face at Koby. Koby laughed, "Nah, it doesn't matter now," He smiled. Glad they had resolved their issues so quickly even if it had taken a month of silence and five minutes of torture. This was something so easily solved with his best friend, why couldn't it be like that with Rayna?
"I think this is where I go home..." Koby whispered to Jake, which earned him a sympathetic look from Jake.
"It's too awkward, I'll text you later," Koby compromised. Jake sighed but nodded, "Alright, catch ya later," Jake said before turning off the tv and the console. Jake walked Koby to the door, watching him drive off before closing the door and walked into the kitchen where Rayna was.
Jake crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall in the kitchen eyeing Rayna in silence with curious eyes. He knew something was off. Rayna stood behind the kitchen counter, looking back at Jake with wide open eyes. "What?" She half giggled.
"What's going on?" Jake sighed before taking a seat at the counter. "I mean...what's going on between you two now," Jake was curious. He knew Koby too well, and had started to know Rayna better. He was too smart to let something like this slide. He raised an eyebrow, awaiting a response from Rayna. "Nothing," Her voice was quiet, her eyes staring back at him. Jake nodded, pursing his lips.
"Don't lie Rayna. At least tell me what's up," Jake lent back in the chair, putting out his hand to place Rayna on his lap. Jake could feel something out of the ordinary.
"Rayna walked out, lol" Jake sent, forgetting the message from Koby. He frowned to open the message: "How's things?" It read. Jake shrugged; he sent more or less a reply. He eyed his TV, thinking about how far away it was from him before shifting his weight to sit up and turn it on. He flicked through channels before settling on some nonsense. He got another text from Koby:
"lol? uhh, why she walk out?" Koby glared at the message, a smirk playing on his lips. He sculled the rest of his can. Usually he would have called Rayna by now, apologising and asking if it would be okay to come by. But this time, he felt differently.
"Come over for a few drinks?" Jake sent Koby, ignoring the question. "Bring Rose if ya want, he added after a moments thought. What could hurt a few friends and some drinks? At least Rayna couldn't get mad at him for drinking with Koby. That was their past time. He wouldn't let her ruin that. "I guess. I'll be over in half an hour, gotta pick up Rose," Koby replied.
"I'm in here!" Jake called as he heard his front door open and close. He was sitting in the lounge room, cans of drink splayed out everywhere, he was playing his video game. "Hey! Started with out us?" Koby laughed, smirking. Jake raised an eyebrow and saw Rose, "Hey," He greeted her, and she nodded a response. Koby and Rose sat down on the couch, Rose sitting in between Koby's legs. He would nibble her neck every now and then, or stroke up collar bone. Jake passed around a few drinks, he was already on his third, and handed Rose and Koby their first. Music was started up, quietly, a small discussion about random, drunken things among them.
Suddenly, a knock was heard at the front door.
Jake had already given Rayna his controlled, a smirk plastered on his face, his eyes drooping slightly. He placed his hands high up Rayna's thighs, massaging them as she took control of the game. Rose glared at the tv screen, finding difficulty in aiming and even moving. Koby laughed, shaking his head every so often, stopping to nibble her neck. "It's hard enough playing, I don't need you kissing me!" Rose yelled, peeved. This amused Koby, and Jake laughed as he held Rayna by the waist, kissing around her neck and down her collar bone. But she didn't seem to be distracted.
Eventually Rose was beat by Rayna at the end of the match. Rose growled, a sulk on her face, "Again," She pleaded before Rayna sighed, smiling, picking up the controller. "I'll get this, I bet ya," She swore.
Koby spun it this time, the bottle landing on Jake. "Woo!" He said, spinning the bottle. It slowed down, suspense filling the room until it stopped. On. Koby. "No," Jake said stubbornly, Koby's eyes widening. Rose started laughing, Rayna pushing Jake forward, "Who's idea was this!? Just do it!" She laughed. Koby was shaking his head backing away. But the girls weren't letting it go. Jake sighed, grunted before taking a long swig from his can, "C'mon, brother," Jake glared at Koby. Koby couldn't even look him in the eye. His face crumpled in disgust. "Ugh," They both quickly pecked each other on the lips before turning away and wiping their lips.
"Aw, c'mon! That's not a kiss! Make it real!" Rose laughed. "No, no we aren't playing this anymore," Jake sulked. "It's easy, baby!" Rayna laughed. Rose turned to face Rayna, her eyes wide, "Easy?" Rose giggled before putting her hands either side of Rayna's face, pulling her lips to her's, her tongue exploring and feeling Rayna's. Koby's jaw dropped, Jake's eyes widened in shock.
"You guys could keep doing that instead of spin the bottle..." Jake said lowly, he eyes still wide. Koby nodded, "Yeah, I don't mind..." Koby backed him up. Rose pulled away, smirking. "Your turn," She said to the boys who's facial expressions mirrored disgust. They shook their heads. "Either you do it, or we'll leave you two," Rose threatened, smiling. Koby groaned, knowing Rose would leave. He looked at his best friend that he was meant to kiss. "Fine, but say this to anyone, and you'll be murdered," He growled. Jake's eyes were wide, "Wait, what! No!" He yelled as Koby's lips crushed his for a split second, and they pulled back.
Koby sat away from Jake in silence, the girls clapping and congratulating the boys. Jake shook his head and spun the bottle. This time, it landed on Rayna. Koby looked at Rayna as the bottle spun again. And, just once more, it landed on Koby. He frowned, looking at his drunken buddy who didn't really seem to care. "Um," He said as she scooted over to him. She looked in her eyes, almost feeling the same things he felt the first time they really kissed, but there was no spark. He lent in, cupping her face with his hand, the feeling too natural, and moves too romantic and his lips brushed hers before melting into them. Even in his drunken state, he couldn't get use to the feel.
Koby pulled away too soon and smirked.
It wasn't long before the bottle was spun. Rayna spun and it landed on Jake. Thank god.. She thought. She knew being alone in a room with Koby was not good. That measly kiss had brought back so much, she was scared she might ruin her relationship with Jake. They went into the hall closet, which was surprisingly quite roomy. She leaned up against him as they began to make out. But something was off. Jake wasn't holding her hips or putting his hand in her hair. Or maybe Rayna was off. With Koby casually walking around in her head, she didn't feel right. *Knock Knock* Time was up, and not a minute too soon. They sat back down when Koby spun the bottle. No...No... Ugh... The end of the glass was pointed at her knee as they both slowly got up and went over to the closet. "Oh boy..." She sighed as the door closed.
"Rayna?" Koby said, exploring the darkness with his hands before finding her waist. This was his chance, his opportunity and he wasn't going to waste the chance. He hesitantly pulled her against his body, letting his hands explore the curve of her back again as he dipped his head to her face, trailing kisses from her cheek to her neck, to her collar bone and back up to find her lips. Koby kissed her softly, his hands cupping her face, then moving down her shoulders to her hands, holding them in his. His breathing was heavy, great regret filling him. His lips turned urgent, one hand placed at the back of her head, the kiss deepening. His breathing was heavier, pulling back and letting her go before even the time was up.
Koby walked backwards so his back was pressed up against the wall. His was glaring into the darkness, angry with himself and Rayna. Whether it was from the alcohol, or because it was real, he couldn't tell. But he could swear he still felt what he felt that first time.
Rose felt Jake's fingers crawling higher up her thigh. She looked back at the door and then back at Jake. She sighed, a mischievious grin playing upon her lips. She pushed Jake to the ground so he was lying flat on his back. She placed her legs either side of him, straddling him. She licked her teeth in desire, looking down at Jake. He looked up at her, his hands already squeezing her arse, coming up to feel her breasts. Rose slapped his hands away, shaking her head. She bent over him, kissing him deeply and then decided to have to fun. She looked back up at the door again before looking at Jake, an idea forming in her mind.
"I'm sure they'll take their time in there...why don't you show me your room?" Rose purred, trailing a line from his lips right down to his crotch. She dipped her head underneath his jaw, lightly licking and kissing before he said yes.
She walked into the room where she thought Rose and Jake were waiting or passed out. But the bottles were on the ground and they weren't there. Then she heard a noise upstairs. A door closing? She grabbed another beer and started to slowly walk towards the stairs, taking each step with ease. She didn't want to fall on her face. As she walked down the hall, all the doors seemed to be open, except Jake's. Without hesitation she opened the door and there it was. Her worst nightmare. Even though she had done a few things tonight, this was not acceptable. She dropped her beer and saw Jake look at her. "Jake!?" She cried. Turning around, Rayna fled out of the house. Just as she walked out the door she ran into someone. She was now on the ground, a mess of a drunk. She could feel two hands lifting her and carry her over to a car. "It's okay... I'll get you home.." Said a familiar voice. As she was driven home she tried to stay awake but all was a blur. That was when she passed out.
His mind became a mess, a muddle of pure insecurity and shattered glass, all covered by a gooey substance of confusion and alcohol. Jake started kissing Rose's neck, her quiet moans enticing him to pull her clothes off. His hands slowly made their way to much wanted destinations before his desires took over, and all he wanted was granted - Thank you, Alcohol!
Afterwards, Rose was laying on her side, her bare back against Jakes naked chest. She sighed in content, her eyes barely open. Jake was propped up on one elbow behind her, looking down at the blonde in his arms - just the wrong blonde. He couldn't feel it yet, but he knew he would. The guilt, the hurt, the pain. The regret. He could feel it bubbling inside of him, but he was in too much denial yet to feel it, too drunk to recognise the mistakes. He laughed again, for no particular reason. A knock was at his door. Jake frowned, "Hmeeahh?" He called to the door. A face that appeared to belong to Koby's popped out from behind the door. A mask of sheer disappointment consuming his features. He was shaking his head, his jaw dropped. Rose turned over to see what the disturbance was. She rolled her eyes once she saw Koby - it bothered her none, therefore it would bother Koby none.
But Koby knew what bothered him. The fact his friend had that nerve to do that to his girlfriend. "Where's Rayna?" Kobys' voice slurred, his eyes red and glassy from the consumed alcohol. Jake shrugged a smirk on his face. He got off his propped elbow and rolled over so he was holding Rose close against him. Koby practically growled before walking out of his room, slamming the door loudly behind him. "Ray- Rayna!" Koby called out, stumbling and half tripping down the hallway and down the stairs. He rubbed his tired, heavy eyes in attempt to see better. He searched the kitchen and lounge room, continuing to call out her name. Then, he remembered Andrew was still home.
Koby tripped back up the stairs, calling out to Andrew. "Andrew. Andrew buddy. Aye!" He called out, entering Andrew's unoccupied room. "Huh?" Koby grimaced. He knew that Andrew probably took Rayna home. He groaned, rubbing his forehead. He was too drunk to drive. "Fuck it." Koby threw his hands up in the air, stumbling back down the hallway and down the stairs to where he dropped his keys and mobile. It was only just one in the morning. Koby sighed deeply. "Shit" He rushed towards the door, flinging it open and running, half dragging his feet to his car. It took him a good five minutes before he could get his key in the ignition. "Fuck!" He yelled at the car, bashing the steering wheel. Concentrate, Koby, c'mon! Finally, he got the key in, a smile breaking across his face.
He slowly backed out of the drive way - well, what was considered slow for Koby anyway. He couldn't tell if he was keeping in his lane most of the time or not, but it didn't bother him any; there wasn't anybody out driving at this time anyway. As soon as he pulled up to the house, he saw Andrew walking out of the sorority. "Andrew?" Koby called out to him as he got out of his car. "Koby!" Andrew shouted at him. "You're drunk! How the hell did you get here?" He yelled. Koby smiled, laughing and shrugged. "Same way you got here." He said sarcastically, tripping up the stairs and landing on his hands, standing back up and walking into the sorority. Andrew stood wide eyed looking at the man who tripped up the stairs, wondering how on earth he made it alive to the place if he couldn't even walk up the stairs.
Koby didn't try to be quiet as he entered the castle. If anything, he made quite an entrance, calling out Rayna's name. "Rayna!" He blurted out into the darkness. He followed his instincts, which led him to her room. He cleared his throat and leaned on her bedroom door, knocking. "Rayna" - stops to clear his groggy voice - "Rayna, it's me, Koby" He said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. He already felt like he'd let her down, like he already wasn't there for her. He shut his eyes close tight. "Rayna? Please open the door? Rayna?" Silence. There was nothing. Was she ignoring him? "Look, Rayna, I'm sorry. I know I've messed up. I - I just don't know anymore, okay? Please," His voice was slurred and his eyes were closed tightly. He slumped his back on the door, falling to the ground, his legs splayed out on the floor. He knocked on her door again. "Rayna?" He said again.
"What?" Koby heard her say as she walked down the hallway from the bathroom. Koby opened his eyes looking up at her as she stood before him. Her eyes were red-rimmed, either from crying or from the alcohol, he couldn't tell. A smile broke on his face and he stood up. "I thought you were mad at me," He walked towards her, holding out his hand. She ignored it and crossed her arms across her chest instead. Immediately Koby frowned. "Uh, I thought I should have checked up on you, you know? I saw Jake...I kind of assumed you would have run off...don't blame you," Koby babbled. Rayna shook her head, her eyes were closed. She wasn't going to speak. "Can we talk?" Koby had no idea what he wanted to talk about. Was this his drunk side coming out. "It's one in the morning, Koby. Go home, I'm not up for this," She said simply, walking past him to her bedroom. "Wait!" He called, following her in, tripping on the way. He laughed at himself. "Please, hear me out," Koby pleaded. Rayna glared at him before sitting down on her bed.
Koby took a deep breath before continuing, "I fucked up again, I shouldn't have driven tonight, but I keep thinking of you. I hurt you again, I shouldn't lie tonight, so the next few words are true," Koby said, walking towards Rayna, sitting beside her. "I'm sorry," He said, shrugging. He looked at her, "I messed up again, I'm only human. But you and I know the way this will end...Never again, will I leave you high," Koby sighed, flopping backwards on the bed, lying down. "I'm sorry I'm not what you wanted, I could use some poor excuse, because the hardest thing to say is I'm sorry," Koby concluded. "I still care, Rayna," He whispered, turning his face to look up at her. She wasn't looking at him though. This actually hurt him. He frowned, remaining silent. His arms were behind his head as he lay down, a million thoughts flying through his head.
With Rayna being so close to him, Koby could feel the tension and excitement. He knew exactly what he wanted, but he knew that now was not the right time. He pulled her over his chest so her body was laying comfortably over him and he could easily give her back a tickle. He knew it would be daylight soon, and he could feel the exhaustion starting in his eyes and in his sluggish movements. He lifted his head a little to look at Rayna's face, her eyes were closed. "I love you..." Koby whispered before he fell asleep with Rayna on top of him.
Koby closed the door as Jake left speechless, probably too ashamed to face Rayna yet. Koby looked up the stairs, and saw that Rose's door was closed. He walked to the kitchen in search of Rayna. He found her curled over her breakfast, her hands in her face. "He left," He said calmly, standing awkwardly in the entrance of the kitchen. "I should go too," He stated, You're not really mine... he wanted to say so badly.
"Coming!" Koby heard from the other side. The door was opened by the familiar face of Andrew. "Where is he?" Koby asked flatly, looking behind Andrew. Andrew only shrugged. "He's in there, isnt' he," Koby glared at Andrew and pushed past him, "Jake!" Koby yelled into the house. "What?" Koby turned around and faced the lounge room and Jake was sitting down on the couch, arms folded across his chest, a face of displeasure splashed across his features. "Stay away from Rayna," Koby spat. Jake rose his eye brows, "I don't think that'll happen my friend, sorry," Jake coughed, rubbing the back of his head. Koby laughed, "Boy, you're writing yourself a death wish" He walked forward a little bit as Andrew walked up behind him. "Andrew, I think it'd be best if you went up stairs," Koby looked at Andrew before turning back to Jake. Andrew scrambled up the stairs but listened hard in case of any punches of sorts. "I don't know why she keeps coming back to you, but you better not go back to her again if you're planning on pulling any stunts like you did last night," Koby shook his head as he spoke. Jake sighed, "You don't tell me what to do," Jake said as he walked towards his car keys, "You're right," Koby agreed, "But I highly recommend it," Koby watched as Jake picked up his car keys and headed towards the door, "I want you gone by the time I get back to my house, " Jake threatened before walking out the front door.
Koby stood alone in the lounge room, sighing and rubbing his temples, his head aching. He looked at the stairs and at the front door. "Bye Andrew," Koby called out before walking out the front door, closing it behind him and getting into his car. He thought about the classes he was suppose to go to that day, to catch up on missed lessons, but he figured he could just call on Jake later on strict University business rather than the friendship itself. This time, Koby drove straight home, making no stops on the way.
The next day was Tuesday, a lovely yet busy day for Koby. He went to his normal classes and discovered his power with a simple hand held camera. He partnered up with some stranger named Ryan who worked together on the project that was to reach over the Winter Semester. Koby was already feeling the chills, the days weather dropping and the trees moving a lot more than what was considered fun. It was windy, it was cold and worst of all, it was raining. It was nice, to begin with, but the afternoon had gotten rough, which immediately made Koby think of Rayna and how she would be coping with the weather. He knew she hated this type of weather, especially storms. He was hoping for her sake that she had sorted stuff out with Jake and that they were fine again and someone was there to hold her. But he heard nothing of either of them. The fact that Koby still didn't have Rayna's number bothered him slightly. He would have felt more comforted if she was just a moments call away.
The following days had fallen into routine; Koby woke up, got dressed, went to the local cafe for morning coffee and breakfast with Rose, part ways for the day where Koby would meet up with Ryan and attend his daily classes (which he completed their first part of their video), then when he came home, he would meet up with Rose and they would either go out for dinner, have dinner at home, watch movies or they would simply go about their own things. Koby had started feel comfortable with Rose for once, and had almost tricked himself into considering a real relationship with her rather than the friends with benefits one they assumed was there. Nonetheless he enjoyed her company and they discussed quite often what happened between Koby and Rayna, Rose and Jake, Jake and Rose, Koby and Jake... everything. But every single day, no matter what Rose tried to convince him or make him believe, Koby still thought of Rayna and the way he left her. He still hadn't spoken to Jake - a lost cause. He figured this time it was Jake's turn to sort everything out, not his. Jake was the one who slept with Rose when Rayna was still in the house. It still drove Koby insane with anger.
A little as a few weeks had passed and the winds and the cold had settled in. Koby hates the cold and constantly found comfort in walking around the house with Rose at his hip. She loves the cold, and was usually found walking around the house, more like Koby's house, in her underwear. More than usual Koby had taken advantage of that and their found they ended up talking in circles about their life events. After one particular night, Koby had confessed his feelings for Rose that had been forming over the past couple of weeks and that ended once she looked at him with shock and walked out. Rose did eventually find the guts to call him up that night apologizing, but she needed a few days to think it through.
"Friends with benefits have no strings attached," She had constantly said. Koby would only shake his head and accept the fact she wasn't interested, not yet anyway. It only took a few days later that she had turned up at his doorstep saying she was okay with it, but she didn't want the relationship to go any further, strictly friends with benefits. But it was only too clear that she would fall him like he had to her. It was well into winter by this time, the rain was cold, the wind was cold, the floor was cold - everything was cold. Rose had come over one morning unexpectedly with two muffins and two cups of coffee from the local coffee shop. Koby frowned and invited her in. He gave her a hug and they sat down at the dining table munching on their food.
"So," Rose began, her eyes were hesitant to look at Kobys.
"Hm?" Koby looked up from his plate. Rose twiddled her fingers, then decided to rest a hand on the table.
"I guess the other day, when you told me-" Koby shook his head, shushing her.
"It's fine, I know. If you want us to stop, just say so, it's okay," Koby shrugged his shoulders, leaning back in his seat.
"No, no, no. It's not that, no," Rose laughed uneasily. "Actually, it's about us, uh," Rose looked away hesitantly, her nerves getting to her. "Look, I think I do really like you, uh, I was wondering," Koby's eyes lit up, a smile breaking across his face, making Rose feel more nervous, "If you'd consider us being an actual couple..." Koby's eyes became hesitant. He stood up and grabbed Rose's hands, studying her carefully.
"I can't," He looked down at her clear eyes. There was something so different about her, he couldn't understand what it was, but maybe this was Rose's weakness? Between all her manipulating and bitchiness is a shy girl who could easily fall for someone like anybody else. "I can't, because of Rayna," He explained, but found her lips, kissing them like he would have if it were another girl - a girl who he would no longer think of - and held her firmly. "Friends with benefits, no strings attached, remember?" Koby looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Oh..." Koby cupped Rayna's face, stroking her cheek with her thumb. Wait... No, it's Rose, Koby shook his head, his face apologetic. "Want to go out somewhere? It is Friday after all," Koby smiled, kissing Rose on the forehead. She shook her head, her profile looking shy and small.
"I think I'm going to go home," Rose tried to smile, standing back from Koby.
A week or two had passed until Rose and Koby became closer and a new form of bond and respect was assumed. It was awkward for quite a while - Rose wasn't use to being rejected - but Koby tried his best to keep things moving. Koby wasn't getting screwed around and had no late night calls of needing to be picked up and he didn't need to be a shoulder to cry on either. He was happy. Rose had changed dramatically since they had gotten all the feelings out of the way. In a sense, it made things easier for them. But they saw each other less, despite how close they had gotten.
That was only until Koby was out shopping for his groceries and he spotted the blonde hair girl that was dating his best friend.
Jake quietly made his way upstairs, seeing one door was open, he went over to check out the room. There he found a much older lady leaning over Rayna, wiping away black smudges. He knocked on her door.
"Get out," Rayna looked up at Jake, glaring at him with red rimmed eyes. Jake shook his head, leaning in the door frame.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, we have to talk about this," Jake said, crossing his arms over his head. Rayna looked at the lady who was looking after her, a look of assurance. The lady nodded and walked past Jake, "Leave her be, please," The lady said as she left the room. Jake walked into the room and sat on the bed, facing Rayna.
"I was drunk and," Jake began.
"Leave," Rayna remained stubborn. Jake looked at her with pleading eyes.
"At least hear my out?" He pleaded. Rayna remained silent, looking down at her hands. Jake took that as a 'go ahead'.
"Look, we were all goofing around," He looked around nervously. "Rose and I had no clue what you and Koby were up to!"
"Rose and Koby have no relationship, Jake. They mean nothing to eachother," Rayna's voice was harsh and cold, a venomous tone striking Jake where it hurt most.
"That's not what I meant. I mean, that you and Koby could have been up to anything and it didn't bother me," Jake explained. "I was off my face wasted, Rayna. You have to understand that I don't do that stuff - you know me!" He returned to begging.
"Yeah, Jake, and I wasn't as drunk as you and Rose, if anything I was just barely tipsy. I'm your girlfriend. Do I even mean anything to you?" Rayna shouted at him. Tears were forming in her eyes again. Jake looked shocked at her words, despite how simple they were.
"You mean the world to me, baby girl..."
"Don't call me that."
A frown was plastered across Jake's face, his insides burning. "Well, what now?" Jake asked, almost giving up.
"Leave," Rayna said, cold and harsh.
"What? Is that it?" Jake narrowed his eyes. Rayna remained silent. "I guess if that's what's going to make you happy, if that's what's going to make you stop hurting, then so be it. I suppose I deserve it anyway," With that Jake stood up and slowly walked out of the room, down the stairs and into his car. By that point his shoulders were shaking, his head was hurting and tears were silently rolling down his face. He bashed his hands on the steering wheel before starting the car again and headed home.
Jake cracked open another fresh can of beer. It was his fourth already that night. He hadn't moved from the lounge room where it was silent - the TV was off, the stereo was off. Andrew found it was more safe up in his room and left Jake alone. Jake was pleased to see that Koby wasn't there, or else one of them would not have made it out alive. A constant glare and face of disgust covered Jake's face. He was most definitely not happy. The next few days continued the same. He rarely turned up to his classes through out the week, finding it too difficult to get out of bed. Andrew would knock on his door most of the time asking if he needed breakfast, if he had class that day, he even asked if he could borrow his car once to get groceries. Jake didn't even care. He screwed up. He hurt Rayna again. Koby won, again. He got the girl. Again. Jake was in a silent fury within himself. A conflict he had to face alone. He was empty and alone - the same reason why he hadn't had a girlfriend in a long time.
He sighed shakily, his eyes still red rimmed. It was a Saturday morning - cold and windy. It echoed through the silent house. Andrew had already left. Jake groaned as he sat up in his empty bed and glared at his phone. Nothing. No texts or calls from either Rayna or Koby. This infuriated him further. He climbed out of bed, only wearing grey sweats. He stumbled out his bedroom door and tripped down the stairs, catching himself against the wall. His head was hurting, vertigo taking over. A constant hang over consumed his mornings - always drinking too much the night before. This was normal now for Jake. He had a medicine cabinet of Advil and Nurofen. His best friend. He popped two Advil into his mouth and swallowed half a gallon of water before becoming satisfied. If anything, he was lacking water only too much. He was getting weak, ill. He was giving in. He knew he could do better than that, but he found no point. He had missed too many calls of modelling agencies that he was given up on. He felt useless and found no purpose anymore.
This continued for several weeks, the days blurring together. Andrew had started getting concerned, trying desperately to get Jake out of the house, but Jake wouldn't have it.
"You're wasting your life here, Jake," Andrew pleaded, a whine in his voice. He was honestly too scared to think of how Jake would turn out if he went on like this any longer. Jake hadn't shaved in a month, hadn't worked out or eaten properly either. His diet mainly contained alcohol and pizza. He had no effort to make dinner anymore.
"So.." Jake squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hide himself under his bed sheets from the voice behind his bed room door.
"Let me in, Jake, I think we can sort this out," Andrew banged on his door again. Jake groaned loudly, his head pounding yet again.
"Either piss off or get me two Advil and water," Jake growled at the door. He heard footsteps walk away from the door and down the stairs but they returned. Jake rolled his eyes and walked over to his door, opening it before Andrew had the chance to knock again. Jake snatched the drugs and water off Andrew and sculled it down.
"What is there to talk about?" Jake glared at Andrew.
"You're becoming more like Koby, man," Andrew shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. "Cold-hearted or more or less heartless, you drink your life away with your miseries, you don't care about anyone anymore...dude, you've got to get out of the house. Distract yourself, that girl will be nothing anymore," Jake's eyes widened with shock.
"That girl was my life! Don't you understand! I let her down, and she was my life!" Jake was furious, his face consumed by anger. "You want to help? Start by minding your own business and staying out of my life," Jake yelled before slamming the door behind him. He sauntered over to his bed side table where he found his mobile that still had no messages from either Koby or Rayna.
A few more weeks had passed, and Jake hadn't heard anything more from Andrew. He heard him leave each morning, but Jake was acknowledged. He was pleased with that. He still hadn't left the house, his hair was getting shaggy, his face was consumed with hair. He showered rarely when he smelt himself, and ate only when he felt he was dying. He was getting sick, just to top it off. He walked out of his room too early one morning, vomiting down the hall way and Andrew rushed out to help him.
"Go away!" Jake yelled at him as he made it in the bath room. He was vomiting up fluids.
"You need a doctor!" Andrew yelled back, rushing into the bathroom behind him. Jake couldn't speak, his head pounding and his stomach churning. Andrew rushed downstairs to grab the house phone and dialed an after hours doctor. He returned soon back to Jake and aided him with his vomits until the doctor arrived.
A few days later and Jake was back on his feet, walking around and eating. The doctor had spoken to him about everything for a good few hours without charge, and with that Andrew was forever grateful. His friend was getting better. Jake ate proper meals and started to make dinner again. Andrew came home one night smelling spaghetti, another night smelling steak and another night smelling chick casserole. One step at a time, Jake was going back to University. He was left far behind, but Andrew caught him up to speed. Jake was back in his normal mind set. He still hadn't thanked Andrew for helping him, but it was assumed it was there. After all, Jake knew what he was doing to himself could have cost himself his life. Rayna was a distant memory behind his alcoholic and ill days, and found comfort that he had almost drunk her away out of his life.
Jake was running low on groceries and made a note that he needed to go out sometime to get some food for his house, but he figured he had nothing else to do and decided he could go then. That was when a knock was heard on his front door. He went to open his door, and there was the face he thought he drank away.
It was Tuesday, and she was bored. She had no plans and didn't know what to do. She moped around her room, picking up her phone then dropping it again. Then she heard a knock on her door, Mrs. James. "I need to go and get groceries, want to join me?" Rayna hopped on her feet, nodding, as she went to freshen up in the bathroom. Grabbing her purse and phone, she saw a new notification. It was a reminder for "Rayna + Jake 4 months <3". She threw the phone in her purse and stood in her pretty pink heels. She remembered how happy she was. How he had been so kind. It was the alcohol. The alcohol changed him and made him... Koby. Rayna started walking into her car, which was now completely emptied from her crap, and watched Mrs. James get in the passenger side. They drove, as Rayna turned on the radio to Whatcha Say. She smiled as she did little dance moves.
"I rewrote the grocery list, now we can both have one." The woman smiled handing her the paper. Rayna snatched it and glanced over the items. "How about I get the second half and you get the first?" Mrs. James smiled in approval and they headed their separate ways. Milk....milk.... She headed to the dairy section and began to look for the 2% milk. But in the aisle she stopped, seeing Koby at the other end. She tried a small wave, but she was still shocked. She stared as he walked closer, not sure what she was going to do. "Hi.." She said, keeping her hands behind her back. "Long time no see.." He sounded just as shocked as she was, not sure what to say. "So how have you been?" His voice was a bit shaky, maybe from excitement? She smiled, "Busy is the best way to put it," Looking in his eyes was the worst way to stay focused on work. The silence between them danced around. She fiddled with her fingers, looking at him every two seconds. "Anyways I have things to get.." Rayna said as she put the milk jug in her cart. "Could we... Go get coffee sometime? On me?" Rayna blushed a bit. Technically I am single, whether this is a date or not. Rayna ripped part of her paper, and began to write down her number. "Just text me, okay?" Rayna then handed him the paper and proceeded on her hunt for the groceries, but her heart seemed to be beating just a little bit faster. Why does he always do this to me?
After getting everything on the list she saw Mrs. James standing by the tills. "What took you so long?" She asked, tapping her invisible watch. Rayna blushed as she apologized and told her about meeting up with Koby. "That Koby is no good. Out of both those boys, you know I like Jake better. Yeah Jake messed up but he was so... Perfect, for you that is." Rayna then, once again, began going through her memories with Jake. The video games and surprise picnic was all too wonderful. "Can we hit a detour on the way home?" Rayna asked as Mrs. James giggled. They got through the line and hurried into the car. Rayna heading straight towards Jake's house. As much as Koby made her smile, Jake made her feel safe. Everyone makes mistakes she told herself. She pulled up to the house and gave Mrs. James a hug before heading up the steps. Knocking on the door was the most nerve wracking thing she could ever do. But she needed to man up. As the door opened she smiled, trying to convince herself this was the right idea, but she still wasn't sure. "Can I come in?" She asked, checking him out. He didn't seem completely normal, maybe he lost weight? She walked in as his smile became wide upon his face. "I've been thinking... and well... I miss you.. A lot... Today would have been our 4 months.. It just made me think how much I wished it was.." Rayna was cut off by some lustful lips. It was enough for her to say they were back together. Rayna smiled as she kissed him once more. "I'd stay but I have to get the groceries home. Text me? I'll text back this time" She winked, heading for the door.
Once Koby got home, he unloaded his groceries and put them away in their correct spots. For a while he milled around his small home, anxiously wondering if he should text Rayna now, or text her some other time. He was most definitely overwhelmed he had run into her, even though nothing was mentioned about the morning weeks ago. Maybe everything was long gone? Her and Jake were over? Koby sat down at his dining table, playing with his phone, spinning it around in circles and stopping it before doing it again. Rayna hadn't tried contacting Koby, or tried talking about the events that had happened. But Koby didn't try to contact Rayna or Jake anyway. What if Koby was the problem? What if he was the one that was causing all the issues? He should have just picked Rose up and left with her, leaving Rayna and Jake to be the happy couple they wanted to be.
Koby sighed. He didn't want that; he wanted Rayna. He wanted to hold her like he use to, before Jake, before Rose. Before any of the unnecessary issues had exploded in their faces. If only he hadn't been a complete ass to her and actually took notice of her needs and ambitions, looked after her like he hoped Jake had.
Lifting his head from the dining table, Koby realised he had fallen asleep. He groaned a little, looking at the time on his phone :9:47PM. He rubbed his forehead and his eyes before standing up and stretching his legs. He had fallen asleep at his table thinking about everything that had happened. Ugh, what a pain," he thought. He looked at his phone that was still sitting on the table. He slowly walked over to his phone, looking at it as if it had come to life before deciding to pick it up. He searched through his contacts before he had phone Rayna. He pursed his lips, mulling over the pro's and con's in a simple text message. He rolled his eyes to himself, it ain't the end of the world.
"Hey :)" Send, Koby let out a long breath. Running his hand through his hair. He hadn't felt this nervous since...since his first girlfriend! Koby walked around the kitchen with his hands on his hips before deciding he should probably eat something. But then his phone vibrated. A smile broke across his face as he skipped a little to his phone.
"Hey, coming over <3" From Rose, Koby winced a little, dying inside. She would probably already be on her way before he even had the chance to ask why.
Several minutes later, Rose was at his doorstep with a smile plastering her face. But there was something off besides her hair being up in a messy pony tail, the natural face that usually held make up, the sweat pants and baggy long sleeved shirt - something was definitely off. Koby frowned, looking at her. "What's up?" He asked her, a hand on his hip. Rose looked confused. "Nothing? Just thought a late night movie would be cute!" She walked into the house, straight into the lounge room. Koby then noticed the bag she was carrying. "What'd you bring over?" He asked as he followed her over to the couch.
"Oh stop asking so many questions!" She teased, "Some chocolate, some ice cream, a handful of movies, ooh! And some video games I picked up from the store today!" Rose beamed. Something was not right. Koby narrowed his eyes, sitting down beside her on the couch, grabbing her hands in his own. "Rose, is something wrong?" Koby asked, watching her moves. Her eyes were nervous, darting around like flies. She couldn't sit still and she was cold. But she just shook her head and smiled, "Why would something be wrong?"
Koby shook his head. This was definitely not normal. "Seriously Rose," His voice was serious, only until tears formed in Rose's eyes. Koby immediately became shocked. "Uh, it's okay, shh, um, don't cry!" He felt useless. Helpless. Dumbfounded. The strong shell of Rose had been broken!
"My dad," She sniffled into Koby's shoulder, "My dad," She said again. Koby shook his head. More daddy issues..., he pat her back, leaning as far away as possible from her. "Have some ice cream," Koby tried to sound cheery, getting the ice cream container out of her bag. But that seemed to make it worse. She howled, screaming into Koby's shoulder. He almost jumped out of his skin. "My dad got shot!" She spluttered into his shoulder. Koby felt cold to the bone. Ugh...
Rose managed to keep quiet when Koby put a DvD into his ps3 and walked into the kitchen to grab his phone. Rose smiled at him with red-rimmed eyes, red nose and red cheeks. He went and sat next to her with blankets piled up and around them, making them warm. His phone vibrated in his hand.
"Hi (:" From Rayna! Koby grinned as he looked down at his phone.
"When's that coffee? ;)" He sent back. Rose was leaning over his shoulder reading. "Who was that to?" She asked, placing her head into his chest. "Rayna," Koby cleared his throat. Rose became still, grasping hold of him tighter. He pretended not to notice.
"When are you free next?" Koby grinned once more at the text, feeling stupid.
"Whenever you are?" He replied back, feeling satisfied with where things were going.
"What was that? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Andrew jogged over to Jake who was sitting on the floor.
"I'm great, man. Probably the best I've been in weeks. Rayna, she just-" Andrew started shaking his head, cutting Jake off.
"Hmm, no way. See what she did to you there for the past few weeks? You were just getting better too! She's not good news, my friend," Andrew stood up straight, crossing his arms over his chest and started frowning. Jake stood up too, a face of clarity. Andrew had been to the gym lately, bulking up. He had even gotten taller too. Since Jake had broken down he was more inclined on keeping Jake in shape, and not looking up to him as much as he had.
"Don't you understand, Andrew? She's...she's everything to me!" Jake smiled. He hadn't felt this good in a while.
"Well, Jake, your everything made you an alcoholic for a month and a half!" Andrew moved his arms back to his sides, his eyes cold and glaring. Jake just shook his head.
"Things are better now, you'll see. I'll be a better man!" Jake smiled, walking past Andrew.
"What about Koby? She probably still loves him too," Andrew turned around to face Jake, his eyes cold and body still. Jake stopped walking, his body becoming paralyzed. His eyes searched the room for something to lock onto, to focus on. He had completely forgotten about Koby. Deep inside, he could probably kill him.
"He doesn't matter," Jake's voice was low and angry, his back was still to Andrew. He took a breath and walked up the stairs to his room, trying hard not to close the door too hard.
It was almost six in the evening when Jake thought it'd be an appropriate time to call Rayna, to check up on things. But he thought it even better if he were to go see her for himself. He had gone for a shower and washed his hair which was now touching his shoulders. He shaved his almost-beard and brushed his teeth. He picked out clothes he hadn't seen in a while and yelled out to Andrew that he was going out, to which he received no reply. Jake grabbed the car keys and drove off to the sorority.
Jake took a few deep breaths before getting out of the car, thinking through the things he should say and things he should do to make things better. He cussed at the fact he should have brought over flowers and maybe some chocolate, but it was too late for that, Mrs James, the house keeper, was already opening the door.
"Ahh, Jake!" The lady smiled warmly at the young man. She held the door open to him, beckoning him to come inside. "Rayna! You have a visitor!" She called upstairs. She looked back at the man and smiled, "She should be down in a minute," Jake returned the smile and nodded as the lady wobbled off into the kitchen.
Jake waited for the lady to be out of sight before he swiftly jogged up the stairs to Rayna's room. He flung open her door and ran up behind her, grabbing her from behind her waist, kissing her neck. It felt good, it felt right. Jake sighed, tightening his grip, holding her in a strong embrace. "I've missed you," He breathed into her ear, a smile in his voice. He let her squirm around in his arms so she could look up at him. Her eyes looked the same as before - so clear and innocent, real and guarded, but so full of love. It melted him, gave him sensations no other woman could give him. He smiled, pressing his forehead against hers as she smiled back up at him.
"Surprise," He said quietly, laughing. "I couldn't just not see you after you stopped by today, and I know it's kind of late-" Rayna got up on her tippy toes and planted a kiss on his lips, stopping his heart beat and sending anxious butterflies in his stomach - like the first time. He sighed again, out of happiness.
"I just really needed to see you, Rayna," Jake said, sounding like he was confessing something deadly. His arms were firm and tight around her body, pressing her close to him, protecting her, guarding her. He wouldn't lose her again. "It's been so long," His voice dropped lower, quieter. His mouth was next to her ear, her head resting against his chest. He left the silence linger as he held her in his arms for a small while. He buried his head in her hair, his hands pressed her closer to him, his arms protecting her. It was everything he had missed, everything he dreamed he could live in once again. He was in bliss.
"You're everything to me, Rayna," Jake whispered into her ear, so quietly. "I can't..I can't lose you again. I don't know what will happen if I lose you again," His voice was getting choked up, groggy. He cleared his voice before continuing, "Rayna, I love you," He pressed his lips to her cheek, then leaned back to catch her lips. It was everything he wanted.
They stayed there until it was black, making it quite the challenge to get back into her room. "I'd let you stay but, slow? Remember?" With a little kiss, she walked back to the door and climbed back upstairs. What a long day.. She sighed as she looked back at her phone for a reply from the other boy who seemed to have interest as well.
"Are you seeing her again?" She asked without lifting her head. Koby let out an audible sigh.
"Yes, I am. Is there an issue?" Koby narrowed his eyes, looking down at the top of Rose's head who had become attached to his right side of his body. They were both too distracted to watch the movie and had barely touched the ice cream. A few moments of awkward silence had passed before Rose finally shook her head. Koby adjusted himself so he could lie on his back with Rose on top of him. He looked up at her, questioning eyes analysing her. Rose finally looked down at him, planting a small kiss upon his lips. Koby smiled up at her and wrapped his arms around her body, pinning her to him. His pressed his lips against hers, something he rarely did in occasions that were... so fragile. With Rose anyway.
They fell asleep like that, with Rose pinned against Koby's chest. Koby didn't even feel his phone vibrate.
When Jake pulled up to his house, Andrew was waiting in the lounge room. He glared at Jake from across the room as Jake dropped his keys into the key bowl. He turned to face Andrew with an eye brow raised, "What? Just say what you want," Jake sighed. But Andrew only looked at him, with a frown on his face. "Well, if that's how you want to be, so be it," Jake ran a hand through his hair, "Ugh, I need a hair cut," He muttered heading into the kitchen. Andrew's eyes followed him the whole time. Jake could feel it. It sent nerves running down his spine, goosebumps appearing on his skin; he was being judged. He spun around to face the eyes that were following him, "Andrew, stop, just stop okay!" Jake begged him, shouting. Andrew didn't budge. Jake rolled his eyes, "Stop being so childish!" Jake scolded before grabbing a juice poppa from the fridge and escaping to his room. He found tranquility in his room; silence. He loved it. It was so tense in the lounge room with Andrew. It angered him. Why couldn't he just be happy for him?
Jake couldn't see how the friendship with Andrew was going to either improve or be ended. He had become too much of little a brother - an attachment to his life. But he was getting annoying. Whether it was the role he took on when he looked after Jake or himself just growing up, he couldn't tell. Despite that, he was actually proud of the young man - he had shaped up over the past month, and his person had grown as well. Although Jake was having an off time with Andrew, which was made it quite hard to be at home around him, he was somewhat intrigued. Andrew had found himself, his own individuality. The fact that he was becoming more individual without needing Koby or Jake kind of... enticed him. Something different about Andrew brought different thoughts into Jake's mind he thought he wouldn't think.
It was Thursday and Rayna was bored. She had no homework and was ahead of most of her classes. She grabbed her cell and began to text Koby during class. "So we're still on after school right? :)" She smiled as she began to doodle on her notebook. Her teacher was a drag and this class was longer than it should have been. Then she got a text back. "Yup. As long as I don't mysteriously die in a "freak accident" ;)" Rayna giggled, getting the attention of her professor. She slipped her phone into her pocket and gave her innocent eyes. She had so much fun just getting her way. The bell rang and Rayna scurried to her car. With a touch up of her lipstick she began driving towards the cafe.
"Yes?" Koby said, annoyance clear in his voice.
"What cha doing?" Rose asked, a smile and slight giggle in her voice. Koby frowned, rolling his eyes. Rose knew he had a...not date with Rayna.
"Uh, sitting in my car, ready to go to the cafe to meet up with Rayna?" Koby's voice was sarcastic and harsh. He pursed his lips as Rose giggled into the phone.
"Well, I'm at your place, Koby," Rose purred into the phone. She knew Koby loved it when she sounded like that. He rolled his eyes, trying to remain under control. He looked at the keys in the ignition. "And, well, I let myself in. I'm in your bed and, oh, it looks like I'm not wearing anything..." Rose let her voice hang in the air between their mobiles. Koby sat in his car, suddenly unsure of what was more important. He started his car, checking the time on his dashboard clock.
"Rose, you know I'm going to see Rayna, right?" Koby shook the images out of his head of Rose lying naked on his bed, waiting for him.
"Oh, but Koby," Rose purred. He could imagine the pout on her lips. He rolled his eyes again, groaning into his phone, earning a giggle from Rose. He slammed his hand on his steering wheel.
"Oh fuck, Rose! I'll be there in ten minutes and if you aren't naked when I get there," He threatened before hanging up the phone. He cursed into the silence of his car before pulling out of the parking lot and ending up at his house.
"Mmm, well, was that worth it?" Rose purred into Koby's chest, her hand trailing up and down his bare chest. Koby remained silent, sighing. He had to check his phone, the time. Maybe he still had a few minutes to meet up with Rayna?
"Watch out, I've got to get my phone," Koby said, moving Rose off his chest and reaching for his phone.
"Where are you!" From Rayna. It was received almost fifteen minutes ago.
"Well, guess not then." Received five minutes ago. Koby glared at his phone, then turned to glare at Rose. She shrugged in response.
"Well that's great. Now Rayna is pissed at me," Koby narrowed his eyes at Rose. "I'm going to call her. Keep your mouth shut," Koby's voice was ice. He clicked on Rayna's numbers, a ringing sound passing through the phone.
"Where were you?" Koby heard the shout of Rayna's voice. He sighed, trying to remain calm.
"Sorry I couldn't make it, I couldn't text you either," His voice was warm, apologetic. Controlled. "Rose had some issues going on and she needed me," He lied fluidly. He was too use to this. He almost felt ashamed. There was silence on the other end. "I'm sorry, Rayna. What about tomorrow night? Dinner? On me. At that restaurant we first went to as a double date?" Koby winced at the memory, how rude and icey he was towards Rayna that night. "On me," He repeated. He heard a defeated sigh on the other line.
"Stand me up again, leave me hanging, don't bother," Click. She hung up. Koby smiled. At least it wasn't a no. He quickly sent her a text, "What time do you want me to pick you up?" Send. He smiled goofily at the phone. Rose climbed over the bed into his lap so he was spooning her. He frowned down at her blonde hair, the innocence and manipulation all in one.
"I'll drive myself there, thanks. Six," Koby nodded at the response, sighing with happiness. He rolled away from Rose, standing up to get changed. Rose looked over at him, frowning with confusion, her lips pursed.
Walking back to her table she grabbed the muffin she had bought and went to her car. Just as she turned on the ignition her phone rang. "Where were you!?" Rayna yelled through the phone. She was definitely in a horrid mood. But she didn't actually care where he was. Unless he was with Rose. "Rose had some issues going on and she needed me," Rayna gave the middle finger to her phone, remaining silent. She couldn't believe he wouldn't see her because of that whore. Maybe they had gotten a lot closer... "I'm sorry, Rayna. What about tomorrow night? Dinner? On me. At that restaurant we first went to as a double date?" She rolled her eyes. Yeah, what great memories. Looking at her dash she noticed she was almost out of gas. "Stand me up again, leave me hanging, don't bother," Then she put her foot to the gas and drove to the nearest gas station. When she got there she saw the texts from Koby, sarcastically she replied, "I'll drive myself there, thanks. Six," At least that way she could escape if needed.
Rayna didn't drive home, but to Jake's house. She stormed in, right to the kitchen where Jake seemed to be cooking. She snuck up behind him and began to kiss his neck, wrapping her arms around him. "Mmmm..." He mumbled as she kissed the back of his neck. She slid her hands under his shirt and began to lift it off, and he leaned away from the stove to assist her mission. She kissed his back as he kept stirring the pot in front of him. Nibbling gently on his neck he mumbled again, then slowly turned around. "Hey" She said with a smile. He had just as dirty a smile as she had. They kissed, deep and passionately, well for Jake it was passion. For Rayna it was revenge. It was her feelings of emptiness being released with her tongue. She rubbed her fingers along his back as he pressed her closer. Then there was a sudden beeping which startled both of them. Jake turned around and began to take out the food from the oven, and went back to stirring the pot. "Enough food for me too?" She laughed as he turned his head. "I guess for you.." Then she put her arms around him again as he stirred the sauce.
Soon enough, he was already at the restaurant. He was led to a table in the elegant restaurant to the back, for two. Koby smiled at the man who led him to his table and received two menu's. Koby sat down at the table and checked his time on his phone. It was only five to six. He was early. Koby smiled to himself and lifted up the menu to look at.
A few minutes had passed and Koby was already becoming anxious. He fiddled with his fingers, with the menu, he bounced his knee. The waiter had already come over three times asking what he would like. Koby then began to think of the time. He looked back at his phone. It was only seven minutes pass six. He shrugged. Maybe Rayna was stuck in traffic? Koby straightened out his clothes and leaned back in his chair, waiting patiently.
Rayna woke up, the best she's felt in days. She skipped down the stairs and grabbed a coffee and some toast. She decided to skip school, she knew there was an exam she wasn't prepared for, and had woken up at 11am. With her stomach full, she rubbed her head and felt the greasy hair which lied upon her head. "Eeeww..." Rayna then hopped in the shower and even after she finished cleaning, she just sat on the floor with the water running. A lot went through her mind. But turning the shower off, she set the thoughts aside and got dressed. Putting on her fantastic outfit, Rayna felt spectacular. She even took the time to curl her hair. Rayna didn't want to admit she was looking forward to the dinner but she was.
Time flew by when it finally became 5:30. She had just finished painting her nails and was still letting them dry. By the time it was "safe" to go, it was 6:00pm. She got in her car and drove to the restaurant. It was 6:05pm and she wasn't "ready" to go. Maybe Jake has some issues that he needs me.. Rayna had a devilish smile across her face as she turned on the radio. Minutes passed and when it finally became 6:23pm Rayna got out of her car. She walked confidently to the restaurant and found the table where Koby seemed to have made an effort. At least he looks good... He was smiling, but she still had a sassy face full of what happened yesterday.
"How have you been?" Koby asked, relaxed. His voice was still quiet.
"Fine," Rayna replied, nonchalantly. She was gazing at her nails, her hand sitting just on top of the table. Koby watched her before sighing internally and reaching for her hand, "Hey, look, I'm - Rayna flicked his hand away, frowning at him, but he continued as if nothing happened. "I'm sorry for yesterday, it's just, Rose has issues going on too, and well, since everything... Well yeah," Koby shrugged, not sure on how to end the sentence. He looked at Rayna with apologetic eyes, gazing at her even though she was frowning at him. Koby's mouth turned into a sour pout.
"If this is how the rest of tonight is going to," A waiter came to their table, asking if they were ready to order. Koby sighed, a frown across his face. Rayna had composed her features and smiled at the waiter. Koby rolled his eyes, Typical. "Uh, yes, I'd like to just grab the Meal of the Day," Koby pursed his lips, handing the waiter his menu. He was the same one who received their orders that night they came after the movie. Koby looked at Rayna he requested the same, but her gaze avoided Koby's.
After the waiter left, Koby didn't speak a word. He looked out at the windows that reached to the ceiling and down to the floor. He looked out at into the street that seemed to be buzzing with night life, the mood blue from the light the night gave them.
She could hear him breathing slowly, "Hey, want to come over?"
Rayna knew that she could use him as an excuse to get out. But the way things were going she didn't want to leave. "Babe, I'm kind of in the middle of a shoot!" Trying not to raise her voice.
"Oh... I guess I'll just cuddle up with Andrew!" Jake laughed and even got a chuckle out of Rayna.
"Well you two don't have too much fun" Then the phone hung up and Rayna walked back over to her stunning date.
She sat back down and the food was on the table. "Thanks" Rayna smiled, looking in his deep eyes. During bites they kept up conversation. Koby mostly talking about school, which bored Rayna but she really loved seeing the spark he had. Then, out of the blue, Rayna asked, "So what's the deal with you and Rose? Are you... exclusive?"
"Well," He began. He tried not to seem hesitant but failed. He sighed, leaning back in his chair and looked at his glass of water, "It is actually really hard to explain," It wasn't that it was hard to explain, it was really because he was afraid of what she would think of his real... Relationship with Rose.
"It's not exactly a relationship. She's my friend, of course... But we're really, uh," Koby struggled to say it out loud, to admit it to her. But what would she say if she were to find out any other way? "Friends with benefits..." Koby watched Rayna closely for her reaction. Her eyes twitched slightly, maybe in embarrassment? Frustration? Jealously? He couldn't tell. But her composure remained the same before she had asked the question. Koby pursed his lips, giving her time to process the information.
"Oh," Rayna said finally. Koby wondered if she would figure out why he had actually left her the day before. Koby cleared his voice, interrupting the awkward silence that had fallen upon the table. He leaned forward on his elbows.
"Well, what about you and Jake? Have you seen him recently?" Koby asked. He honestly didn't know if he wanted to hear the answer. He didn't know whether he wanted to see Jake himself. He hadn't decided whether he missed his friend or not, but he certainly had a lot more time on his hands than before without his friend. If Rayna had seen Koby, he'd be surprised, but if she hadn't he supposed he would be disappointed. What if Rayna and Jake were back together again? The thought made Koby think about how easily Rayna took Jake back the first time. If she had taken Jake back the second time too, he would be frustrated. He screwed up once and that was it. Koby decided he didn't want to hear the answer.
Jake walked out of his room, wearing boxer shorts and a singlet. He had gotten back into working out, finally. He felt good, healthy and strong again, standing taller, walking more confidently again. Especially since Rayna had walked back into his life so unexpectedly. He hadn't thought twice about seeing her again. Andrew was still pissed at him, but they were back on speaking terms, hanging out even. And that was exactly what they were doing. Hanging out. Jake went back down into the lounge room where Andrew was watching a movie that was paused and waiting for Jake. Jake hadn't even thought of Koby, but when he saw Andrew waiting for him, he suddenly remembered his best friend, but just as suddenly let the thought pass. Andrew had replaced Koby.
Jake went and sat beside Andrew, deciding to sit a little bit further away than what he wanted. Lately, Jake had started looking at Andrew differently, even started acting weirdly around him, but he hadn't noticed. Not until that morning when Andrew asked why he was being so weird. The thoughts Jake had the other night kind of frightened him, made him feel that he was...judged. Judged strictly by himself, not anyone else. Jake wouldn't even admit it to himself, yet alone outside, but he had a feeling that he was...attracted to Andrew.
Yeah, Andrew had grown a lot in the past couple of months, but it wasn't anything special. He was just like any other boy. Man. Maybe it was because Jake was living with him and Andrew had looked after him, and Andrew had been nothing but caring and looked up to Jake. But as Jake sat next to Andrew, he could feel himself getting shy, his face turning a nice shade of red, his palms getting clammy. Their elbows were almost touching, and this made Jake feel anxious. They both had cans of beer beside them, but Jake wasn't game enough to take a swig of his drink. He kept his eyes glued to the TV, and breathed when he felt he deserved a lungful of air.
The weekend flew by, Rayna blew Jake off again and but she knew what she was doing. Hard to get was her strategy and it seemed to be working. But with Koby, that was different. Jake was easy to trick but Koby knew all her tricks. Koby had been barely responding to her texts and stood her up Monday at lunch. His hard to get was a lot better than hers, none the less they were two of a kind. At least Rayna had gotten in touch to see him Wednesday at his place. She remembered the last time being at his house, you live you learn. This time she'd have a plan, prepared for all scenarios.
Tuesday night, after a long 4 hour photo shoot, Rayna drove over to Jake's house. Going up to the steps, she didn't ring the bell or knock the door. She liked just being able to walk in. Looking in the kitchen, no one this time, so she figured she'd check his bedroom. Going upstairs, she saw Andrew sitting ion the hall. She had noticed over the past week how much Andrew gave her dirty looks. Though she hadn't said anything, she wondered if he was maybe jealous. I mean, Rayna had been taking up all of Jake's thoughts. She walked by him and nodded in acknowledgment. Then knocked on Jake's door.
A day or two later, Koby had received a little message from Rayna asking if they could quickly meet up for lunch on Monday. Reluctantly, Koby replied with an okay, and didn't meet up with her. He didn't even send a message explaining his absence. He just didn't turn up, simply because he was angry at her decision, not her. Rose had come over that afternoon to...entertain Koby, and kept his mind off the situation. He hadn't yet told her about Rayna and Jake. He only told Rose about how well the "date" had gone. Koby asked himself numerous times if it was a date if she was seeing Jake or if it was a simple catch up. What was it? Koby racked his brains trying to come to conclusions on what Rayna wanted, but found none. Soon enough, he gave up and left it at that. He would ask her next time when they met up.
Rayna hadn't seemed to get too pissed about Koby's absence. She didn't even message him asking why he didn't turn up. If anything, Koby didn't hear from up until Tuesday morning which he imagined took a lot of effort on Rayna's behalf. They were to meet up on Wednesday at his place. He liked the thought of that. There were many things that could happen in his house, with just the two of them. Many things that would not happen. Koby was looking forward to Wednesday, and to think it was only Tuesday afternoon.
Eventually, Jake pulled back smiling, "Wanna watch a movie? Have dinner?" He asked. Rayna pretended to have to think about her answer, which earned her a good tickling from Jake. "Stop! Stop! She laughed. Jake stopped tickling her and let her catch her breath, nodding in agreeing for watching a movie and having dinner. "Good, or else I wouldn't have stopped," Jake threatened, grabbing her by the hand and dragging her down the hallway, downstairs to the kitchen. "The only things I have left for dinner is tacos..." Jake looked at Rayna to see if she didn't mind tacos. She nodded with a smile. "Easy," Jake mumbled, reaching into the fridge for salad. He went over to his pantry and got out taco shells and walked over to his sink to see if the mince he put out earlier that day had defrosted. He grabbed out a pan and turned on the stove.
Dinner was done, a movie was in the ps3 and Rayna and Jake were sitting comfortably together on the couch, watching Butterfly Effect. During the movie they had finished eating, so Jake grabbed their plates and placed them on the floor, allowing Rayna room to lie down on Jake's chest as they watched the movie. Jake didn't know what time it was but eventually Rayna had fallen asleep on his chest. "Rayna," Jake whispered to her, nudging her shoulder. "Mhmm?" Rayna lifted her head. "You fell asleep, baby, do you want me to drive you home?" Rayna shook her head, placing it back down on his chest, falling back to sleep again. Jake assumed she would just stay the night. He started rubbing her back until the movie ended. Gently, he sat up, holding Rayna up, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her up to his room, taking off her shoes. He quickly went back down stairs and turned off the ps3 and put the plates in the sink.
Jake snuggled down into the bed, bringing Rayna underneath with him. Soon enough, he fell asleep.
Going home, she put on a clean outfit and covered herself in perfume. Then it was time for a sketch. Rayna had been drawing game pieces in human size recently. It was a way for her to keep track of what she had done. Hopefully not a bunch of regrets. Walking past the clock it was 2pm. She decided to go out for lunch, maybe to Dairy Queens. But before walking out the door Rayna slipped on her favorite headband. Messing up her hair, she had the perfect boho style. The food at Dairy Queen was good. She hadn't been to a fast food place in 3 weeks. How she missed greasy fries and burgers.
Popping in a mint, Rayna pulled up to Koby's house. Koby's turn.. She slammed the car door and walked up the stairs, caring enough to knock and wait at his doorstep.
"Umm," Koby began, letting Rayna into his house. He saw the frown and amusement upon Rayna's face as she walked inside. "Sleeping buddy?" She teased. Koby almost blushed. "Hah," Was his reply. "I should uh, get changed," Koby pointed at his bedroom, which he quickly walked to and grabbed a singlet. He would have preferred a shirt, it was getting chilly. "Want a drink or anything?" He asked, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. Rayna shook her head, "Just ate," Koby nodded his head, heading towards the kitchen anyway. "Well, I just woke up..I gotta eat," The kitchen was an open kitchen so he could view the rest of the house - one of the plus' in living in a small home. He made himself a coffee and had some cereal in a bowl, but ate and drank quickly.
"Did we just want to hang out here or go out somewhere or?" Koby asked after drinking his coffee. He looked silly in his singlet and sweat pants, his messy brown hair which was due for a hair cut and he could taste his bad breath. Rayna shook her head, pursing her lips. "Well, I've got to brush my teeth...I'll be back," Koby went to his bath room and quickly brushed his teeth. When he turned around, Rayna was standing in the door way. "Ah! You surprised me, haha," Koby laughed nervously. He walked through the tight space through the doorway into his room, brushing Rayna's arm in the process. He looked through his clothe drawers and found a shirt. He slipped off the singlet he had on and replaced it what the shirt. He turned around and smirked at Rayna who was standing inbetween his bath room and bed room. He walked up to her, and closed the door leading to the bath room in her face. He found some jeans and put the on. "Hey!" He heard a playful shout. "Hang on," Koby laughed, zipping up his pants. He walked back over to the door, opening it where Rayna and Koby literally walked into each other.
Koby sucked in a breath as his body towered too closely over Rayna's. His arms were either side of the door frame, leaning into the space where Rayna's head was. There bodies were less than a centimeter apart. Koby had a mischievous smile on his face as Rayna looked back up at him, her hands were already on his chest, prepared to push him back. Koby leaned into Rayna, kissing her roughly, without passion and out of pure entertainment. He must have been too use to it from Rose. But he pulled back quickly, dropping his arms by his side, walking backwards with a smirk on his face. "Well," He said, walking out of his room.
Koby sat on the couch where Rayna soon caught up to him, probably recovering from the unexpected events. "Rayna," Koby began, staring at the tv that was off. He looked at Rayna, his eyes trying to avoid hers. "Why do you keep wanting to see me, when you're with Jake?" Koby crossed his arms over his muscly chest.
Slowly, Koby lifted Rayna's face up to his own, only little breathing space between them. "I doubt she would,-" Rayna's voice was quiet, intimidated by Koby's closeness and then interrupted by his lips pressing down on hers. Koby squeezed his eyes shut, his free hand holding the edge of the lounge tightly until his knuckles turned white, his other hand cupping Rayna's face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb as his lips parted, and his tongue danced with hers. He started off with passion - the feeling felt like it had been dormant for too long, and this was when it was to become alive again. But soon, it turned into urgency, like she would escape from his lips too soon. Rayna was leaning away from him, making Koby think she was pulling back. But she was lying down back into the lounge. My game, Koby thought. Koby lightly bit Rayna's bottom lip playfully, a smile curving the corners of his mouth, before bringing his hands down either side of her body, then onto the couch to hold himself above her as they laid down on the small sofa. His urgent lips then turned into a missing romantic notion - he slowed down, allowing himself to savour Rayna's taste, her feel, her warmth.
Koby pulled back the slightest bit, allowing his lips to brush softly like a whisper against hers, "That's what our first kiss should have been like," Velvet. His voice was velvet, seductive and refreshing, and barely a whisper. His eyes flickered open, staring down into Rayna's. He was still holding himself above her, the silence between them was a question that couldn't be answered. Her eyes filled with hesitation, quickly followed by confusion before settling into confidence. Koby narrowed his own eyes, shoving himself up and off the couch. He stood up, a smirk across his face. Rayna quickly sat up, running her hand through her hair and straightening her clothes. "That was inappropriate," She muttered, a frown on her face. Koby rolled his eyes, his smirk dominating his features. "Then maybe you should go?" He held out an arm, as if to lead her to the front door.
Getting home she took a shower. Again her mind wandered through all the possibilities of today. It was a good day and she felt powerful. Rayna got out and dried off. Just she opened the bathroom door, Rose was standing there. "What'd you and Koby do?" Obviously Rose hadn't talked to him, or he didn't tell her anything. High on her throne Rayna gave Rose a dirty smile and walked to her room. Closing the door in Rose's face, Rayna got dressed. Food, Rayna's stomach was growling. Reaching for her door she slowly opened it. Again was the blonde tramp, standing at her door. "So...?" Rose pestered. Rayna opened her mouth about to speak but left Rose hanging. The way that Rose was on her toes, almost begging was cute. "We just... had fun" winking, Rayna walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Her lost little puppy following her.
It was barely seven at night when Koby checked his phone again for messages. But he had received none. He raised an eyebrow, lifting up his phone, and thought about the possibilities of calling Rayna, but decided best against it. Instead, he texted Rose. "Keen to come out tonight?" He sent Rose. He almost immediately got a reply, "What were you and Rayna up to?" Koby rolled his eyes, flopping onto his bed. Sighing, he re-read the message. He didn't feel like explaining himself. Change of plans he thought.
Koby plugged his phone into its charger, and went to go sit in front of the tv for a while when he received a reply, his message tone ringing. He swiftly walked back into his room to check his phone. A message from Rayna, "Just texting you to let you know I'm not texting you ;)" Koby laughed, a smirk across his face. He slowly walked back to the lounge room with his phone, replying to the message.
"Oh, really now? Is that true?" Koby sent back. He flipped through numerous channels before he received a reply.
"Why, you miss me? ;)" A sheepish grin covered Koby's face, he shook his head.
"Not really, why, do you want me to miss you?" Koby rolled his eyes at his own corny reply. Flipping through a few more channels, he finally settled on The Simpsons, and then received another reply.
"No... :S" Koby sighed, looking down at the message, before quickly receiving another one after it.
"You gonna text me and ask me to come over too? I bet you're dying to see me ;)" Koby eyed the message, having little snippets of things he could do. He quickly went over the possibilities of turning up at the sorority and seeing Rayna, but what with Rose there? He shook his head at himself.
"Come back over. We can watch a movie, eat pop corn and I'm pretty certain I've got icecream," Koby sent. He decided he was being serious. Almost about twenty minutes later, his message tone went off again,
"Why don't you come here?" Came the reply. Koby thought about it again. Rose was there. But he couldn't tell if Rayna was even being serious.
So, foolishly, he asked if she was."You serious?" He sent. Waiting, Koby into his kitchen, in search for some sort of food. Less than half an hour later, he heard a car pull up the front of his house. He looked at the time and it was about eight o'clock. Smirking, he went to his front door to open it before his visitor could knock. Rayna was standing at the door, prepared to open it herself when Koby opened it before her. He smiled, looking down at her, "Well, well, well," He began, raising an eyebrow. "Shut up," Rayna smiled, walking past him and into the house. "I don't smell popcorn and I don't see ice cream and I can't hear a movie, but I see the simpsons...Really Koby?" She teased. Koby poked his tongue out at her as he walked into his kitchen, searching his pantry for the microwave pop corn. Rayna pretended to be disappointed, shaking her head and following him into the kitchen.
Koby found the microwave popcorn, pouring the seeds into a bowl and put it in the microwave. "Where's the ice cream?" Rayna pretended to be demanding, stamping her foot on the spot with her hands on her hips. Koby pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow. "With an attitude like that, you won't get ice cream, young lady," Koby smiled at her, shaking his head. Rayna helped herself into the freezer, grabbing the vanilla ice cream. "Hey!" Koby pointed at her in real shock that she had the guts to go into his fridge to get his ice cream. Rayna laughed, quickly running behind the kitchen counter that put distance between herself and Koby. Koby narrowed his eyes, an evil grin on his lips. "And how will you eat that? You have no spoon," He crossed his arms over his chest condecesendingly. Rayna shrugged, "I'll find a way," Rayna stuck her tongue out at Koby. "That's it!" Koby shook his head, quickly running around the counter that was in between them, a small squeal escaping Rayna's lips as she rushed around the counter on the opposite side, but Koby was quicker and quickly put his arms around Rayna, pulling her to him, her back to his chest. They played a pull and tug of the ice cream, Koby winning. He held the container up above his head. "After pop corn," He stated with authority. Rayna pretended to be upset and pouted her lips. "Fine!" She acted like a little brat, strutting her way into the lounge room and sulking on the couch. Koby laughed and grabbed the popcorn out of the microwave as it beeped.
Koby went and sat closely next to Rayna with the bowl of pop corn, but there was still no movie in the tv, the simpson was still playing. Rayna had her arms crossed over her chest, pretending to be upset and ignoring Koby. Koby looked at her in disbelief, a smile across his face. "What do you want to watch then?" He asked laughing. Without a word, Rayna crawled off the lounge and looked at the DvD collection Koby had and snooped through the comedies. Waiting impatiently, Koby tapped his foot on the ground. "Hurry up!" He egged her, scoring a dirty look. Finally, Rayna decided on Just go with it. "Good choice," Koby approved, "I know," She replied, cuddling back up onto the couch into the corner. Koby put the disc in and started the movie.
Every now and then when Koby and Rayna would reach for popcorn, their hands brushed against each other, leaving Koby with a funny sensation that he couldn't understand. Eventually all the popcorn was eaten, and Koby made a smart remark about Rayna eating more than he did, earning a playful slap on the arm. "Get the ice cream!" Rayna demanded as Koby paused the movie and got up to put the bowl in the sink. "Yes, your heiness" Koby bowed, and turned on his heal with a straight posture and marched into the kitchen. He got a spoon out of the drawer and the ice cream out of the freezer with some magic shell chocolate sauce, and went back and sat next to Rayna, close enough he could have placed his arm around her shoulders. He leaned forward and grabbed the controller and started the movie playing again.
Rayna wasn't gone more than hour when Rose heard the front door opening. "Rayna, are you back already? Rose yelled out, leaning back to see through the kitchen from the lounge room.
"No!" She heard a male voice yell back. Rose frowned and stood up, slowly walking through the kitchen to the entrance.
"Isn't Rayna home?" The voice said. Rose saw the light haired, very handsome male standing awkwardly in the entrance.
"Jake," Rose purred, raising an eye brow.
"Yeah," Jake nodded towards Rose.
"No, Rayna went out," Rose crossed her arms over her chest, putting her weight into her left heel.
"Oh, really?" A flash of disappointment and confusion crossed Jake's face. "Did she say where?" He asked, curious.
Rose shook her head slowly, "No, but she went to Koby's house today..." Rose licked her lips, prepared to stir things up. Jake frowned.
"Oh, really?" He started to remember her rushing off in the morning, saying she had to go. Was she rushing off to Koby's house?
"Yeah, really. She wouldn't tell me what went on either," She sighed unhappily, acting betrayed. "Despite our differences and the incident the other month, we've grown quite close," Rose lied. Jake nodded.
"Really? I wouldn't have thought so," Jake was puzzled. Rose frowned, looking Jake up and down. There was something she couldn't quite figure out.
"Are you hiding something from Rayna?" Rose said, straight forward.
Jake was taken aback, "What? Of course not, if anything, I feel it's the other way around!" Jake crossed his arms over his chest. "If you and Rayna are so close, can you tell me if she has really been going to photo shoots all the time," Jake asked. He walked forward a little to lean against a wall.
Rose mulled it over in her head before replying, "Well, I see Koby a lot, and he's been talking about Rayna a lot lately. I think..." Rose stopped for a dramatic effect before looking at Jake with wide eyes, "Maybe they might be hanging out, seeing each other again!" Rose smirked, looking at the Jake who now seemed saddened. "Oh, don't look like that, I'm sure you're hiding something too, a reason for not coming over and putting effort in to see your baby girl" Rose egged him on. She pretended to pout, drawing a tear on her face.
Jake rolled his eyes, "She's been too busy for me lately," He said quietly, becoming grumpy.
"Oh really? And is that stopping you from coming over?" Rose countered, raising an eyebrow.
"I came over tonight, and she's gone out, aren't you suspicious?" Jake almost lost his cool, almost yelled but composed himself. He turned on his heel to leave.
"You're gay," Rose said. She turned on her heel to walk back to the lounge room. Jake immediately stopped in his tracks.
"No, I'm not," He turned around, becoming defensive and frowning. A smirk grew on Rose's face. So, the truth comes out, she thought.
"Oh, really? Andrew has changed recently. I saw him the other day actually, down near the coffee shop?" Rose explained. She watched Jake's every move like a hawk. She began to walk towards him, "He's been working out, obviously, I can tell, his muscles," Rose shook her head approvingly, biting her lower lip. Jake rolled his eyes at her.
"What are you getting at? Do you like Andrew?" Jake crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Rose. Rose stopped walking, leaning on her hip.
"Y'know what Jake? You're awfully defensive, and guys like you, I know pretty damn well," Rose pointed a finger at Jake's chest. "Yes, guys like you are found at lots of pubs, around a lot of guys and less women," Rose began to tap a finger on her bottom lip.
"Rose, you're being ridiculous," Jake laughed, shaking his head. "I've got to go,-"
"You're gay," Rose said, throwing her hands in the air. Jake narrowed his eyes are her, shaking his head slowly.
"No, Rose, I'm not," Jake spoke quietly, fluidly and most importantly, kept himself even.
"You don't have to hide it from me Jake, I'd be more worried about Rayna finding out," Rose eyed Jake off.
"I'm not gay, and I'm leaving now," Jake called over his shoulder as he walked out the front door.
"Whatever you say, Jake, whatever you say!" Rose called out to him. Once he left, Rose was left standing near the entrance in a fit of giggles. Oh boy, I wonder where this will go, she thought.
She woke up around 1am. This time Koby was clutching onto her waist, as they were snuggled on the couch. She could see both her phone and Koby's blinking with new messages. Reaching out hesitantly she grabbed both of them. First she checked Koby's phone, 13 new messages. She opened one, "Koby?!?! Are you with Rayna!?!" Deleting it and the rest who were all from Rose. She then put the phone gently back in place as she checked her phone, 2 new messages. "Rayna? I was at your house 5 minutes ago. Why would you lie to me?" She felt guilty yet, before she knew of the message, she felt great. She then checked the second one from Jake, "Please? You know you can talk to me" She knew if she didn't handle this right now, it would blow up later. Rayna slipped Koby's arm off of her without waking him. She smiled as she grabbed her phone, purse and headed out to her car. "Bye..." She whispered as she walked out to her car and drove towards Jake's.
She felt the need to knock, since she wasn't sure if Jake was sleeping. Tapping her foot, she waited nervously hoping he'd answer the door. A few minutes later she saw Jake with a cup of coffee at the door. "Sorry I lied... I went to the bar and I guess I needed some time to myself." He just grabbed her and pulled her in for an embrace. She hugged him and began to ask tipsy, to make her story believable. It was all on her, for she knew Koby wouldn't go talking to Jake.
"Sorry.." She said as he escorted her inside.
"I guess I'm just over protective, y'know?" He sighed as he took another sip of coffee.
"I just love you and want us to be honest with each other.." Rayna gave him a peck on the cheek as she went and got herself a cup of coffee.
"My head ache is gone, by the way. I didn't lie about that.." She was being sincere for once as she sipped on her 3 sugars, no cream.
"Want to play a video game or something?" She asked, knowing he wouldn't refuse. But yet, he shook his head. "what's wrong?" He just finished his coffee as he played with the mug in his hands.
"Rose was just being... Rose. She said something that's making me think..." Rayna thought about Rose being at Koby's that morning.
"Don't let her get to you. She's nothing. Just trying to stir up trouble." Then again, Rayna was probably the one causing trouble. Rayna walked over to the tv and set up Halo 3.
"Common... I promise to go easy on you..." She winked as she pulled him up from his chair and over to the controller.
"Is Rayna at yours?"
"Jake came over by the way!"
"Oi, if Rayna is at your house you're going to be in deep shit,"
"You won't believe what I have found out!"
A lot more similar ones started following after wards, plus a missed call. Koby groaned. Rose saw Jake, who had been at the sorority probably for Rayna. So, Rayna was playing the game dirty. Koby smirked, filling in the gaps of Rayna's plans. Payback was one thing, but karma was a bitch. Suddenly, his phone started ringing his hands. Clearing his throat, Koby answered his phone.
"Koby!" Rose yelled into the phone.
"What was Jake doing there?" Koby mumbled into the phone, realising how tired he really was.
"He wanted to see Rayna, you do know they're still together right?" Koby could almost here the pure relief in Rose's voice. He resisted to chuckle, biting his tongue.
"More or less, Rose, I think it was obvious," Koby fiddled with his fingers.
"Well, what are you going to do? OH MY GOSH, I just remembered, you have no idea what I found out," Rose's voice was high pitched and whispering. Koby frowned.
"What?" He asked.
"Jake is gay, gay or bi, whatever floats his boat, but y'know, he's actually into guys," Rose babbled on. Koby burst out laughing shaking his head.
"Right, Rose, and you're the King's Queen," He shook his head, laughing still. "You're creating some weird shit these days Rose, be careful what you're saying. And I don't know what I'm going to do, probably continuing playing along until she can't handle it I suppose," Koby smirked something cold and hurtful. The worst thing that could happen was her walking out of his life again, but it would be her own fault. He had nothing else to lose, and she was the one owning and playing the game. He will play it, by his own rules, and let her get what she wants. But he knew the consequences. He liked the thought of that. He liked the thought of Rayna cracking and breaking down, having to decide what she wants.
"And?" Rose asked.
"And what?" Koby rolled his eyes.
"What about Jake?" Koby didn't think of that.
"I don't care," He replied. In honesty, he supposed he did, but only too little. "I should call Rayna," Koby said.
"Mmh, mmh, mmh, no!" Rose disapproved. "She isn't here, and sounds like she's not at yours. Best bet is, that she's probably still at Jake's house, not her stupid photo shoots," Rose was manipulative, bitchy and mean, but sometimes, she could be intelligent. Koby nodded.
"Even better," Koby hung up, and scrolled through his contacts to find Rayna's number and clicked call. Almost immediately he got an answer.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry I left this morning, but I had to," She whispered quickly into the phone. Koby smirked, a frown playing in his brows.
"Oh that's fine, I guess you had somewhere really important you had to go to," Koby helped her.
"Yeah, I did actually," Rayna's voice rose a little above a whisper now.
"Wanna tell me why you're whispering?" Koby asked, his voice verging on sarcastic.
"Oh uh, photo shoot. Can't distract the other models y'know," Rayna's voice was quiet still.
"Right, surprised you answered so fast," Koby egged on.
"Can't disturb the other models, like I said, and I was already texting someone," Rayna explained. A lie. A very bad lie.
"Oh I see. Well, I'm thinking about heading over to Jake's house, patch things up," Koby said innocently.
"No, don't do that!" Rayna's voice rose into a minimal panic.
"Why?" Koby snapped.
"I mean, you two don't really get along anymore, why bother?" Rayna composed herself, better than Koby thought was possible.
"Nah, we're brothers, we'll fix it," Koby said before hanging up. He threw his phone onto the couch and slouched into the recliner, pleased. There was no way he was going to go near his brother but he hoped he scared Rayna a little bit.
Standing up, Koby went to the front door to grab his keys and walked out to his car. He drove straight to the sorority and let himself in, but no one was home. Smirking, Koby sauntered over to the kitchen and sat at a stool near the counter. He got out his phone and sent Rose a text asking where she was. He put his phone away and opened up the fridge. He couldn't hear Mrs James anywhere, and he was pretty certain someone would have come out by now to check out who let them self into the sorority, but no one did. So, while peeping into the fridge, Koby noticed several cans of beer. He grabbed two and walked into the lounge room, placing himself comfortably onto the couch in front of the tv that was turned off.
"Not much to say I guess.." He smiled putting his hand on her thigh.
"You can talk to me, y'know." Rayna gave him the eye. There wasn't anything wrong, just things she wasn't telling him.
"Honestly, nothing is wrong." She took his hand off of her as he began to pull over.
"Jake! What are you doing!" She yelled as he stopped the car.
"Please! I know when somethings wrong. We can talk about why you lied and went to the bar..." He looked in her eyes, trying to gently put his hand on her arm before being flicked away.
"Jake. Stop. Just bring me home." With that, the rest of the ride was silent.
Jake dropped her off in front and as he drove off Rayna noticed a car. Koby's car. She walked into the house and sneaked around. If he was here, especially if he was with Rose, she wanted to get out without a trace. She walked around the corner slowly and noticed no one was in the kitchen. She still had her heels on as she tried to stop the clicking noise against the hardwood floor. As she got to the corner that was by the lounge she peeked over and saw Koby right in her face. "God Koby! Sneaking up on me!?" He started laughing, grabbing his stomach. She was still trying to catch her breath.
"Weren't you the one sneaking around?" He was still chuckling, his face a hot shade of red.
"Wait... Is Rose here?" She asked looking around for traces of tramp.
"No.. I just came over." He was calm, and seemed slightly intoxicated. Rayna stormed around the corner to see the cans of beer on the coffee table.
"So you came over for free beer, huh?" She put her hands on her hips, looking like a disappointed mother. Koby gave her a cheeky smile.
"It's the least you could do to repay me for leaving me... for a shoot" He used his fingers to make quotations around shoot. Making it obvious he didn't believe her.
"Okay... Not gonna lie... Jake needed me this morning. I'm still his friend, and I told you that." She bit her lip. Trying to look more believable. But he wasn't buying.
"Bullshi-" He was about to lay it all down. To tell her she is a horrible liar, to which she'd deny of coarse. But Rayna's hand was around his neck and her lips placed on his. She new the right way to shut the boy up. and she was pretty good at it.
Koby didn't care how good Rayna was, or how happy she made him feel. He knew what she was doing, and he didn't like it.
"I know you are seeing Jake." He said with full confidence. Rayna pulled his face, which led his body to follow, facing her.
"I told you we're just friends!" She was getting a bit peeved now.
"No. You are using him, just like you're using me." She could see the grin forming on his face like he had figured out a big secret.
"What if I was?" She winked at him. She knew she couldn't deny it, he'd be able to tell she was lying. Especially if he had talked to Jake.
"Well..." He pressed him self against her as she was slammed up against the wall. Obviously he didn't care, which was a good thing for her. Yet she wasn't sure if she was actually using him or if she may have real feelings for him. Kissing her and sliding his hands onto her butt, she hopped up with her legs wrapping his body. He was walking with her now to the couch. As they sat down Rayna made the kiss deep and passionate. Then they both heard the door open, neither one bothering to stop and see who it was.
"Koby?" Rose's voice was crystal clear, like a breath of fresh air. He hadn't noticed how smothered he had felt from Rayna. He turned his head away from Rayna's lips, who didn't seem to mind their new accompany, to look up at Rose.
"Rose?" Koby tried to push Rayna off lightly, who forced herself back down, slightly shaking her head against him. "Dont," She whispered, finding his lips again. Koby frowned, still pushing her away. She seemed to realize he wasn't interested anymore as he heard her mumble, "Party pooper.." Koby resisted the urge to glare at Rayna as he helped her move off his lap. He then got a clear view of the irritate and surprised Rose.
"Oh please, don't mind me," She rolled her eyes, glaring at Rayna. "Well, aren't you something," Rose crossed her arms over her chest. "You do know that this is cheating!" Rose yelled at her. Rayna stood up in fury, crossing her arms over her chest too. Koby sat speechless, tempted to put his hands behind his head and enjoy the show, also trying hard not to laugh at the situation.
"What would you know? Why don't you mind your own business?" Rayna counted. "Stay away from Jake, he doesn't need you," Rayna snapped.
"Huh," Rose pursed her lips. "Funny, because it looks like you've got two boys on a leash, neither of them allowed to do anything they want," Rose raised her eyebrows, egging her on, placing her hands on her hips. This annoyed Rayna.
"Just get lost Rose!" Rayna growled at the blonde who walked closer into her personal bubble.
"I live here too!" She yelled. Biting her tongue, and daring not to so much as glance at Koby, Rayna stormed straight past Rose, through the kitchen and up stairs to take cover, but stopped before getting out of view and looked at Koby, "Koby?!?! Are you coming?"
Koby hesitantly shook his head, "Naah, I'm staying out of this one, babe," Koby laughed. He kept still sitting on the couch, watching as Rose walked over to him, glaring.
"She's cheating," Rose began. Koby shrugged.
"What about us?" He said quietly, challenging her. Her eyes said everything she needed to know. Rose knew that herself, that she was a slut, but she knew that Rayna wouldn't cope with what she was causing. Rose also knew, that she was falling for Koby whether she liked it or not. As for Koby, he wasn't sure of how to think of Rose anymore. He couldn't like her how he used to, but comparing her to Rayna, he could so the difference.
"What about us?" Rose asked back.
"The friends with benefits, no strings attached. You aren't meant to care," Koby explained. His voice was so soft and calming. Rose hated that, so she shrugged.
"She's cheating on Jake," Rose explained, her hands out to add effect. Koby sighed.
"Well, obviously that's going to be her problem," Koby concluded. Koby put his head back against the couch.
"Well," Rose mimicked again, "What about us?" She asked, similar to how he had. A smile touched his lips.
"Rose," He began.
"No, Koby, I've been here with you through everything," She started to explain as she cut him off. "Why can't we try," Her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes were avoiding his. Koby shook his head slowly.
"You know how I feel about Rayna," He whispered back, lifting Rose's chin so he could see her face. She was so fragile and vulnerable when she was like this. This was his favorite part about her personality.
"But us," Rose closed her eyes so she couldn't see his.
"It's official, okay? We are no longer friends with benefits because emotions are getting in the way," Koby's voice was cold and harsh as he whispered. He dropped his head, letting Rose hold herself. It was quiet.
"Koby. You love her," Rose sounded defeated. He shook his head.
"No," He denied it. "Not a long shot. I still feel the same way about her as I did when I first held her," His voice was plain and held nothing. "I was getting close to it I suppose, but I wouldn't want to carry it out," He said finally.
"Do you hate it when people don't want you back...?" Rose said so quietly, so sadly, that Koby grabbed her and held her against his chest.
After a half hour of listening to the radio, Rayna got out of her car and headed towards Jake's. After knocking on the door, Andrew face was seen opening the front door. Rayna smiled, trying to make things less awkward. "Hey... Is Jake here?" She asked. Andrew just closed the door in her face without a word of recognition. She then took out her cellphone and began calling Jake's cell. No answer. She started walking around to the back where she walked through the back sliding door. She was going to talk to Jake, whether he wanted to or not. She walked up to his room where she knocked on the door. Still no answer so she just started to slowly open the door to see Andrew and Jake playing video games. "Have a minute?" Rayna asked, walking over to Jake. Jake nodded to Andrew, and as he left he closed the door. "I'm tired of your games Rayna." He said trying not to give in. "I'm sorry. I just haven't been feeling myself lately." Jake looked into her eyes. They made his heart beat faster and his knees weak. "I've been feeling the same way, just not myself I guess.." Rayna started to smile, taking a seat next to Jake. "So does this mean we're okay?" She asked with hope in her eyes.
All he's been ever since she was with Jake was a rebound. All he's ever been to Rayna was a shoulder for her to cry on, regain her sense of well-being and strength to face the person who she thought she wanted most. Why couldn't she be just as honest as Koby? Koby wasn't going to hide the fact he still wanted her, but why would she hide it? Was it that bad? Or was she that determined to keep both Koby and Jake? Nonetheless, he found comfort in Rose, and began to sense he was treating Rose how Rayna was treating himself. "You don't feel like a rebound, do you Rose?" Koby asked while he was on that train of thought. Rose sat silent for what seemed like a very long time before responding. "Sometimes, I feel like you need me more than you need her, that I'm better for you, despite our odd relationship. But sometimes, I feel like nothing, that what I am is existing for your comfort," She explained, her voice wavered slightly, but what got brought to Koby's attention, was how human Rose was being. She did have feelings too. Koby smiled, and stifled a small chuckle.
"What!" Rose slapped his arm, offended.
"Oh, no, no, nothing," Koby smiled, gazing at Rose. There was something about this girl that he didn't understand.
"Stop looking at me like that," Rose snapped. Koby frowned, continuing to stare at Rose before cupping her face in both of his hands and bringing her lips to his. It was a soft, quick peck. Something like reassurance rushed through both of them. When he pulled her face back, he left her face in her hands, rubbing her cheeks.
"You can't keep doing that, Koby," Rose said quietly. "If you still like Rayna-"
"Screw Rayna," Koby sighed, defeated. "Being played by someone who you care about so much is not smart," Koby laughed. "I don't want to do that to you," Koby looked at the girl before him. She was vulnerable, fragile and he knew she could change in a split second, back to the bitchy and manipulative person she is, but he decided to treasure this moment.
What was so different about Rose was she never hid anything from Koby. Rayna had secrets, Rose wasn't ashamed of her secrets. Rose was open with Koby, respected his wishes and was legitimately there for him and never left. She had hope that things could be patched up properly between herself and Koby so they were real, but in reality, she saw the truth. She wasn't the type of girl to give in so easily, but she saw how badly Koby was being played, and for so long too. Was this to be her turning point?
Koby looked at her, contented, "You try too hard," Koby stated simply. Rose frowned, "What do you mean? She asked, confused.
"You need to stop putting on this...this act," Koby explained, dropping his hands to his lap. Rose's composure returned to normal. She understood.
"It's not an act..." She denied.
"Yeah, it i-"
"It's a shell," Rose admitted. Koby was confused, a frown covering his face, his eyes narrowing. Then he understood. "Everybody has their reasons, and I have mine. I don't know what Rayna's is, but mine is what mine is," Rose shrugged, leaning into Koby's chest.
That concluded everything Koby thought. He wrapped his arms around Rose's body and kept still.
"I love you more than anything, Rayna," Jake took both of Rayna's hands in his, looking deep into her eyes. "You're meant to be telling me what's wrong, telling me things so I can fix them, help you. I'm your boyfriend," Jake shook his head, "And you're not treating me like one," He concluded. Had to say the truth some time, Jake thought.
Jake gave Rayna a moment to process the new information before continuing. "I love you," He said again, pressing his lips to her cheek. "I get worried when I don't hear from you, when I don't know where you are or who you're with. I worry because I care, and when you hide things from me, I don't see the point in me caring for you, especially if you push me away like you did," Jake explained. He began to sound older than Rayna, almost putting Rayna in a position of foolishness. But she remained silent, her eyes looked empty.
"I know we're going really slow, but it's still a relationship," Jake said, sounding official. "And a relationship is honesty, truth, and trust, but right now, I don't see any of it," He stopped talking and looked down at their hands. For a moment or two, there was silence.
Jake began thinking of his own secret - the thoughts that began rising in his mind more often than not. He couldn't tell Rayna about them, because she wouldn't understand. She wouldn't be able to cope with it, nor would Jake. It's just a phase, it's just a phase, he thought over and over again. But what he said to Rayna was true. He loved her and he loved her more than anything. But that didn't stop the thoughts flooding his mind when she wasn't around.
"I'm sorry," Rayna whispered. There sounded like there was recognition in her voice. Jake smiled, looking up at her. She was already looking into his eyes. Jake released her hands and wrapped his arms around her body.
"I love you," He whispered into her ear, burying his head in her hair. His embrace was firm, and he felt like he had missed so much between them, as if there was too much distance. He squeezed his eyes shut and felt Raynas hands move their way around his back, almost like a comforting gesture. Her head found the crook of his neck and rested there. Jake breathed in and sighed. She still wouldn't say it back.
"Jake. I'm really sorry..." She said once more as he was turning on the tv. "I still have feelings for Koby. That's why I was acting weird..." She watched his every move as he turned the tv back off.
"Oh..." He said quietly avoiding her eyes.
"And I know what I said must hurt you but I wanted to be honest. I figured I could tell you the truth without being judged. You trust me right?" He nodded but still wouldn't look her in the eyes.
"I do trust you.. But Koby? After everything?" He said. Rayna felt judged and almost like he didn't trust her.
"I am just telling you what I feel! I know it doesn't make sense to you, god, it doesn't even make sense to me!" She explained, trying to keep her voice calm.
"Whatever Rayna." He said as he walked out of the room. She heard him walk downstairs and into the kitchen, leaving her alone in his room. Um.. what just happened?
"How about you leave, and we forget about this and start fresh tomorrow?" Jake said quietly while he stood in his door frame. Rayna just looked at him as if he slapped her. Jake sighed once more and went back downstairs. He felt guilty for not telling her. He hoped the guilt would leave if she did.
"A man came by today asking about Jasmine." Rayna's eyes got wide. She remembered how Jasmine's family was broke and on the run. Jasmine had said it'd only be a time before they came looking for her money.
"What'd he say..?" She asked nervously.
"Nothing really. Just that we should call him when she is back. Here's the number." Rose handed Rayna the number then turned back around, heading to the tv. Rayna walked back up to her room and began to panic. Her best way to cope was by sketching. Opening the balcony she sat on her bed, wiggling her pencil on the paper. She fell asleep around 6pm with her sketchbook and pencil in hand.
Rayna woke up to a chill. She had left her balcony doors open and it was freezing. She shut them before checking her phone for the time. 2:13am She knew there was no way she could fall back asleep so she snuck downstairs to watch some tv. But the only thing on was infomercials. They made her laugh for a bit but she was growing bored easily. Rayna thought about going to Jake's but for some reason she thought going to oby's for a late night cuddle would be better. First I better make sure Rose is here.. She creeped up the stairs and gently opened her door. Rose was sound asleep in her bed. Rayna smiled as she headed out the door and began driving towards Koby's house.
"Sorry, I just wanted to come by to see you," A smile was hidden beneath her words.
"At what time of the night?" Koby said, walking backwards towards his bed.
"Well, sorry, I guess-"
"Hah, go home Rayna, it's late. I'm not some toy you can bring out to use whenever you feel like it," Koby's words were cold and harsh. He sat down on his bed and made sure Rayna was walking out as he rolled over.
"Come with me Rayna," Koby cooed, smiling at his unwelcome guest. Rayna raised her eye brows in anticipation and followed Koby to the front door.
"Ooooh, I'm not going outside!" She laughed at Koby. Koby laughed with her before scooping her up into his arms and opened his front door, placing her on her feet. Rayna frowned, looking confused. "I said I'm not going outside, but I'm outside," She thought it was strange.
Koby shook his head and quickly closed his door and locked it, making sure she couldn't get in again. With a sigh, he quickly went back to his room to continue his slumber. He checked his phone before laying his head on the pillow. It was barely quarter to three in the morning. A groan slipped past his lips, and he closed his eyes again.
"Are you tired?" Rose asked her as she aided Rayna up the stairs. "Because I am," She said. Rayna swayed her head side to side, trying to decide if she was tired or not, before settling on a nod. She almost fell backwards, but Rose held her steady.
"Hehe, you saved me!" She giggle through a yawn. Rose nodded, her eyes heavy. Finally they reached the top and Rose showed Rayna to her room.
"Go to sleep, darl," Rose said, guiding Rayna to her bed. Rayna flopped onto the comfy surface with her feet in the air. Rose took of Rayna's shoes and placed them on the floor.
"Climb under the blankets, Rayna you need sleep," Rose murmured. Rayna looked up at Rose with puppy dog eyes.
"The dark scares me," She whimpered. Oh come on!. Rose sighed and forced a smile, moved Rayna over so Rose could fit in the bed. "You won't leave me?" Rayna squealed.
Rose grimaced, "No, but you have to sleep, so shh," Rose placed her head on a pillow and closed her eyes. Rayna rolled over and spooned Rose. Rose resisted the urge to push her away, but remained still. At least she would fall asleep.
The weekend flew by as she spent Saturday relaxing and had photo shoots all day Sunday. But the wee felt almost hazardous,how slow it was going. Rayna was still on school break and with Koby going to see Rose, she snuck away to see Jake. They mostly watched movies and played board games, but Rayna was so unhappy. She could see Jake was unhappy, but she didn't want to push him. She knew Koby was enjoying his time with Rose and after being rejected on another late night call Tuesday, she decided to give up. She knew Jake loved her and that she should start loving him back.
It was Friday again, Rose was watching Toddlers & Tiaras again. This time, Rayna sat next to her and they laughed as the spoiled had tantrums. It was okay. Rose had Koby and Rayna had Jake. "Want popcorn?" Rayna asked as it was a commercial. Rose nodded and Rayna got up to get it. As she came back, they each had a bowl of popcorn.
"I never thanked you.. for helping me out when I was a drunk mess.." Rayna said apologetically.
Rose looked over at her, "No problem... We're kind of a family," Rayna smiled. "But family doesn't keep secrets and... Jake is gay." She blurted. Rayna wasn't so smiley anymore.
"Really Rose? You say we're family then tell me some bullshit about my boyfriend?" She put her bowl down and crossed her arms.
"I'm serious!" She cried. But Rayna was already done.
"K, I'm done." Rayna got up off the couch and put on some sneakers. She didn't know where she was going but she needed to walk it off. Slamming the door behind her she started walking towards Koby's house. It was a 10 minute drive so she didn't figure she'd actually walk all the way there. But when the house came into view she started to panic. Whats a visit between friends?
"Uh, hello, can I help you?" Rose said, slowly crossing her arms across her chest.
"Hello ma'am, I'm the landlord of this property your sorority is inhabiting. Jasmine Kikiru, she lived here yes? Her parents were the ones paying me and they seemed to have disappeared. I was hoping to get a word with her on their whereabouts?" Rose's eyes narrowed as the man spoke, shaking her head slowly.
"No, sorry I can't help you. I haven't seen Jasmine here in a good couple of months," Rose reached out for the door behind her, starting to close it on the man.
"Hold on, ma'am. When did you see her last?" He asked, pressing forward. Rose sighed.
"I don't know!" Rose exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "A long time ago, I've been here almost a year," Rose placed her hands on her hips. The man frowned.
"Oh..." He scratched his receding hair.
"Yes, so, if you don't mind..." Rose tried closing the door again.
"No, you see, if I don't get paid, you lot lose the house," The man said officially. Rose's eyes widened in shock and she started shaking her head.
"No, no you see," Rose laughed nervously, "That...That can't be possible," Rose's eyes narrowed, a frown covering her face.
'Well it is... Have a nice day ma'am," The man in a suit turned on his heel and left. Rose stuck her middle finger in the air behind him. She slammed the door and walked back into the lounge room.
For the next couple of days, Rose didn't see Rayna and didn't hear from the man in the suit in a while. She tried spending more time at the sorority, seeing as they were going to be kicked out, just as much time as she spent with Koby. She spent some days with Koby, which was probably her first escape from Rayna, and then again, most nights too. If it was one thing, she found that Koby did genuinely care - not only about her, but about Rayna. He cared more for the fact of forgetting Rayna rather than caring for her. Everything had started off so well the week before, from when Rose stayed with Rayna, and up until the truth. But then again, something different was planned in her mind.
Slowly Koby stood up and walked towards the front door and saw Rayna's figure behind the stained glass. He opened the door, but placed his muscly stature in front of the door way, his arms crossed over his chest. "What do you want? He asked.
"Oh Koby.. Can't I just come visit?" Her smile was cheesy as she gently moved him out of her way. He watched her take off her shoes and walk into his living room. "I really just felt lie saying hi, is all... We are friends aren't we? I mean we have nothing to be awkward about since you're happily with Rose and I'm with Jake." Koby watched Rayna make her was comfortably into the house. He shook his head when her back was turned. Why... Koby thought. He sighed.
"I suppose," He said quietly. He stood still, not game enough to follow her into the lounge room. "But it's been a week, and you randomly turn up out of the blue... I have been ignoring your calls for a reason," He mumbled.
Rayna turned to face him and began walking towards his strong jaw line. "Well I was going to ask what happened that night. It's really just a blur. I remember... you ignoring me. Then locking me outside.. Shouldn't I be the one ignoring you?" She said as she was right up in his face. Koby didn't dare move. He closed his eyes as she got closer. He didn't want to look at her.
"Rayna, you got drunk, in my house, at two in the morning while I was asleep... In my own house. Give me a reason why I shouldn't be ignoring you," He said quietly. He was determined to just get her out of his house.
"Well I will say you have rather poor hospitality.." She said snarkily. But he'd had enough.
"I'm not a rebound," He added shortly, opening his eyes and stepping that small inch closer towards her, intimidating her.
"A rebound huh?" A smile crossed her face. "I figured you were using me as a rebound.. Because you were sick of Rose" Then she turned back and began to walk to his kitchen. Koby followed reluctantly but this wasn't over.
"Hardly. I told you, in great length, the relationship I had with her at the time. I don't think you would have the maturity to understand," Koby glared at her back. "You were actually dating Jake, behind my back, and Rose and I had no strings attached. You were cheating," Koby shook his head, letting his voice sting like venom in the air.
"Incorrect," She winked. "I was a free agent. I was having fun y'know? Jake might have thought we were but... It was undetermined." She started laughing as she grabbed one of the red apples from his counter.
"That's not what I heard," Koby leaned against his counter, watching Rayna grab one of the apples. "Look, I don't care, Rayna, get out," He sighed, raising his voice. "I don't want you here anymore. I don't want you near me, or Rose. I just want you gone," His words stung, and hit home hard.
Taking another bite of the apple she smiled. "Well I live with your little girlfriend... So you'll have to deal with the fact we snuggle up every night," She waited for his reaction as she started making her way back to the door.
"She hates you, Rayna, just as much as I do," Koby turned around and watched Rayna walk slowly towards the door.
"Oh really? That's why she said we were a family this morning?" Rayna was grabbing the door handle.
"Don't come back," Koby placed a hand on the counter, as if to support himself. He didn't know what he was doing, but he knew it would be for the better.
"Because I'm not going to be the little guy here for when you need more attention. Your rebound. People are meant to care, and not lie. That's one thing that you are, a liar," Koby shook his head and walked out of the kitchen into his room. He didn't bother with good-byes.
"Didn't I say leave?" He said enraged. She could see the damage she had done in a mere few minutes.
"I'm sorry for coming over in the middle of the night. It was wrong. Same for seeing you when I was kind of seeing Jake. I've messed up a lot of the passed few weeks, and-"
"No Rayna. I don't care. You're a lying bitch. Get out!" He yelled, cutting her off. Rayna walked out of the house this time, but felt okay. She felt as though she had done the right thing and it felt good to be back to normal. Though it kind of sucked that she had to walk all the way home. So she decided to call Jake.
"Hey Jakey! Can you pick me up?" She smiled as she was crossing the street.
"Sorry I'm busy." He said quickly. She could hear voices in the back, maybe a movie?
"Doing what?" She crossed her arms waiting for another crosswalk to light up.
"Just busy. We can go out for lunch tomorrow?" He said, but with no emotion. She listened harder, trying to figure out where he was. "Jake Prescott! He will see you now." She heard someone yell in the background.
"K, bye." He said as he hung up on her. She ended up walking to Jake's as the sun was setting hoping not to find him playing video games. When she arrived, she saw Andrew making stew. She offered to help, trying to fix the awkward tension between them. Cutting onions and carrots, they turned on the radio. When Call me maybe came on, they both began singing. After that song it was like a new chapter. The stew was pretty good, and after cleaning up the dishes Jake came home. He said he was at a casting call, but Rayna knew something was up. But again she kept her mouth shut as she poured him a bowl of stew. That night Rayna snuck into the house and packed her bag full of clothes and her sketch book. She had decided to spend the next weeks or so at Jake's house.
The next week was busy to say the least. Jake seemed to be busy with photo shoots everyday, having pretty much no time for her. She was feeling weak and her appetite had begun to decrease. Andrew was always worrying about her. But he was often busy too, working on a new film for when school starts back up. With Rayna waking up early and going to bed late, she was starting to get ill. Jake didn't seem to notice. He was always doing homework or gone, but he'd always snuggle up with her late when she was sleeping. That was the only part of her day she enjoyed. While he was gone her mind would wonder. Often thinking about what Rose had said. What a bitch. She thought. Trying to split them up, that's how Rose worked. She just couldn't handle others being happy. But Rayna was happy, sort of.
"Hello?" Koby heard her hesitant voice.
"Hey, can you come over?" He asked her. She immediately knew the voice.
"Yeah, sure, you okay?" She asked. Koby nodded, remembering she can't see him
"I'm fine, just want to see you, that's all," He said and hung up.
Koby was still in his room, lying on his bed when Rose came in. She had a smile on her face and quickly jumped onto the bed and snuggled into his chest. Koby smiled, feeling comfort. Thank god for friends, he thought. He frowned, but thought better than to bring up being a rebound. Rose is a friend. His best friend. He wrapped his arms around Rose's body, letting her lie on top of him. His breathing was shallow, his eyes were closed tight. Rose was stroking his arm.
"What's wrong?" She whispered, knowing him all too well. Koby shook his head.
"Don't worry, I don't want to talk about it," He whispered back. Rose turned her head and kissed his chest.
"I'm here for you-"
"I know," Their voices were shushed, quiet, as if they were hiding. Minutes, maybe an hour had passed before they spoke again.
"Our landlord came around today," Rose said casually.
"Hmm?"
"Yeah, we're getting kicked out," Rose shrugged. She felt Koby shift beneath her, sitting up. She sat up next to him.
"Oh," He frowned. "What are you going to do?" He asked.
"I'm already looking at places," She shrugged again. Koby nodded.
The next few days were quiet. Koby usually had Rose over more often than note. He took comfort in that, and almost imagined that they were in some form of relationship. Rayna was in his mind constantly, but he remembered how used she made him feel. He turned to alcohol most nights, and most days he would lounge around his house, rarely leaving. He went out once to get groceries, but Rose mainly came to see him. He wouldn't dare go near the sorority. He found most days he had a headache from either a hang over or from stress, but his medicine cabinet was filled to the brim of Advil. More than once Rose had offered to take him to the doctors, but he didn't mind. It must have been the distance between himself and Rayna, that emptiness knowing he could be there for her when she needed him most. But he had to forget that. He had to forget being there for her, being her rebound. He wouldn't admit it to Rose, or even to himself, but he missed her. But sooner or later it would pass, just like a phase. Just like Rayna.
The dinner was nice, the talk was casual, it almost felt rehearsed. They got in the car and began to drive home, stuffed from the overpriced meals they had. "Jake, I need to get some more stuff from my house.. Okay?" It had been around 2 weeks since she had been to the sorority, she was technically living at Jake's. Yet, with him always gone, it didn't feel like home. Jake took the right turns to the house and stopped by the front steps. "I'll be waiting in the car, don't be long." Rayna nodded as she headed inside. She noted that Koby wasn't there since his car hadn't been out front. Rushed, she went to her room and gathered the things she had been longing. Lotions, face masks, her red purse, and other miscellaneous items. She was walking downstairs when she noticed Rose's door open. There were boxes on the floor, moving boxes. Right when she went back on her way, Rose was at her face. "Moving out huh? Free living wasn't good enough for you?" Of course Rose wouldn't be able to accept her life was easy.
"We're being kicked out.. You included." She barked. She was not in a good mood, that was obvious.
"Wait.. What?" Then 2+2 made 4. "Oh.. It's Jasmine's family. She warned me about this. I guess I forgot.." Rayna stood there, kind of disappointed. This was her palace, that was being taken away.
"Yeah well you have a month to get out before they start taking our stuff." Rose said before turning back into her room and closing the door in Rayna's face. She saw some boxes in the hall and brought them to her room. "Better start packing.." Rayna sighed.
It was only Monday morning and they had woken up side by side snuggling. Probably one of Rose's favorite past times - but she got her head in the game because in only a few moments, he would become over bearing. She stood up and got dressed, walked out of the room and started making coffee. Koby frowned, it was unusual behavior. He slowly got dressed himself and made his way into the kitchen where Rose was. "We need to talk," She said harshly as soon as he came into sight. His frown deepened. "About... What exactly?" He asked, sitting down at the dining table. She sighed angrily, placing a mug of coffee down in front of him, sitting adjacent to him
"Us," She took a breath before her well prepared, well rehearsed speech. "We are not dating. Mhm, no. We're just friends. We don't have friends with benefits anymore. I'm sorry that this may be hard for you, but it's hard for me too. But I can't be with you anymore," She sipped her coffee before smiling sweetly. Koby sat still, about to bring his mug to his lips before her words settled in.
"Oh," Koby said, looking down at his lap.
"Yeah," Rose said, nodding. Koby pursed his lips and brought his coffee up to his mouth to sip. "Is that it?" Rose asked him. Koby frowned.
"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.
"You're not going to get angry at me? Have a fit? Scream, yell?" Koby was shaking his head as she spoke each question. "Nothing," Rose finally said. She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You make a fuss about Rayna, but not about me? I don't get it," She threw her hands up in the air.
"You never lied or cheated on me. What's the fuss to make about? We weren't even dating," Koby smirked as if he was the one dumping her. Rose gasped, offended. "It's all sweet, babe," Koby gulped down the rest of his coffee, prepared to stand up, but Rose smacked the table.
"But everything we've been through?" She squealed at him. Koby was surprised.
"Yeah, we're good friends, now uh, you can go," Koby said bluntly. He picked up his mug and hers, walking into the kitchen and placing them in the sink. Rose sat still in her seat, feeling like he just dumped her. She stood up slowly, looking at Koby as if he were an alien and then left. She took her car back to the sorority and grudgingly made her way up to her room.
Rose knew that soon they would lose the house. That it would no longer be their safe haven, their getaway. Rose had thought of it as a resort. She laid down on her stomach on her bed, propping herself up on her elbows, looking out at the window. Sighing, she thought she should start packing. She didn't know where she would be living yet, but there were numerous houses on the market, and money wasn't a problem for her.
As she started packing, she heard a car pull up outside and voices. She frowned and saw the blonde who entered. Rose rolled her eyes and continued packing her things. Rayna soon came up the stairs and only fifteen minutes later she walked past Rose's room again. Rose frowned and walked out, meeting Rayna in the hall.
"Moving out huh? Free living wasn't good enough for you?" Rayna said sarcastically.
"We're being kicked out.. You included," Rose snapped, her pissed off mood getting the better of her.
"Wait.. What? Oh.. It's Jasmine's family. She warned me about this. I guess I forgot.." Rayna stood there as if someone kicked her in the gut. Rose raised an eye brow.
"Yeah well you have a month to get out before they start taking our stuff," Rose walked back into her room, slamming the door behind her and continued packing.
Jake moaned. He wasn't stupid. He knew what Rayna had been doing. She had been running off to Koby's house, just like Rose had said. For every time Rayna had gone somewhere out of the blue, Jake knew it was Koby's house. It had been fifteen minutes he was waiting in the car. Rayna said she only had a couple of things to grab. He grabbed his keys out of the car, turning off the radio. He got out, slamming the car door behind him, jogging up the stairs pissed off. Rayna was already quickly moving down the stairs. Jake's eyes were wild with anger.
"Oh, sorry for keeping you waiting," Rayna said quietly, starting to move past Jake. "Let's go," she cocked her head towards the front door. Jake stood still, shaking his head.
"You know what I'm sick of?" Jake said simply, almost sounding happy in the menacing tone the sentence implied. Rayna turned around to face Jake, a look of confusion sweeping her features.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Rayna asked. Jake laughed.
"I'm sick of knowing the truth, and you hiding it from me," Jake said, answering his own question, ignoring Rayna's. Rayna still looked confused, and now, a little shocked.
"What are you talking about?" She asked again, a little more strongly. She placed her things on the ground in front of her, her hands on her hips.
"I know you're seeing Koby, Rayna," Jake shook his head, his voice like ice. "What happened to y'know, trust and honesty!" He almost shouted at her, trying to keep his calm. He never shouted; he wouldn't shout now.
"What... I... " Rayna was shunned into silence.
"What a girlfriend you are! Always too busy for your boyfriend and you know what? I bet you're cheating," Jake ended the sentence crystal clear - a shot of venom injected straight from his words to her heart. Rayna's eyes narrowed, and she was about to speak when Jake started again.
"But you know what? I don't think I care, I don't think I care anymore," He slowly started to pace in front of Rayna, walking towards her, controlling the volume of his voice. "You know, I thought I loved you," Jake shook his head, laughing, "But boy was I wrong," Jake shook his head and stopped in front of Rayna.
"What are you trying to say, Jake? You don't love me anymore?" Rayna shouted at him, water forming in her eyes. For some reason, it brought pleasure to Jake. There was nothing in him anymore that grounded him to Rayna. Anger was taking it's toll on him, bringing the worst out of him. All he saw was red, all he felt was the anger that pulsed through his veins.
"No, Rayna, I don't think I do," He whispered at her face, his words like ice. "Because I don't think I can be with someone who likes someone else," Half way throughout his sentence, a figure walked through the door. Jake looked up and Rayna turned around, water rolling over her cheeks.
"Rayna?" Koby said as he saw the tears roll down Rayna's face.
"Go home, Koby, please," Rayna's voice was choking on tears, begging him to leave. Jake glared at Koby. He wouldn't talk to him at all.
"What's going on?" Koby asked, walking forward. By now, Rose had walked out, leaning on the railing above the stairs.
"Leave, Koby, that's what Rayna said," Rose snapped at him. Koby narrowed his eyes up at her, grimacing.
"Are you okay?" He asked Rayna, walking towards her.
"Back off! Just fuck off, Koby!" Jake almost yelled, his voice as loud as it had ever been. Rayna remained silent, turning her back to Koby, her shoulders shaking. Koby glared back at Jake, but he laughed. His laughed was cold and low, striking Jake in the gut.
"It's funny, I guess I see why Rayna always comes to see me when you have a fight," Koby shrugged. Jake looked like he was about to lunge at Koby and hit him, but he didn't.
"Koby! Shut up!" Rayna hissed at him. The room fell silent for a moment while the boys composed themselves. Rose slowly made her way to the stairs, sitting at the top one, watching the show. Slowly, Jake began to speak.
"Rayna is my girlfriend, so back off," Jake said calmly. He started walking up to Rayna, he walked backwards. She was now standing in between Koby and Jake. "We wouldn't be having this issue if you would just leave," Jake added. Rayna began to slowly shake her own head.
"No Jake, we wouldn't be having this problem if you could talk to me when things are wrong," She whispered quickly and quietly. "You never have enough time for me anymore, you're always out doing something, while I'm always sitting around your house, waiting for you to come home," Rayna's voice broke multiple times, water flowing down her cheeks. Rose had quickly come down the stairs to stand behind her, to rub her back. Despite their differences, Rose knew that Rayna was in trouble, and a girlfriend wouldn't hurt. Jake was taken back by the words Rayna shot at him, silencing him. Koby stood beside Rayna, cocky. But Rayna moved backwards, away from both of the boys, and into Rose's arms.
"Maybe you should leave, Jake," Koby said quietly. Immediately, Jake shot a glare at Koby.
"You know what?" Jake said happily, before lunging towards Koby, throwing a punch into the air of where Koby's face had been before he quickly moved.
"Stop!" Rayna shouted. The boys stilled, but in silence, Jake briskly walked out of the sorority and headed home.
With an arm around her shoulder, he walked her to his car and turned on the engine. "First stop, the grocery store!" He said energetically. He began driving and making car noises with his mouth. Rayna was smiling, but not in the mood for laughing. As they stopped at the store, Koby got out and came back with her favorite ice cream. He gave her a spoon, and as he drove off, she dug in. "Ice cream is the best medicine..." She said looking at Koby. She closed the tub of "medicine" as they pulled up to his house. Before getting out of the car she fixed her make up a bit more.
Walking into the house Koby had already put the tv on Netflix and was searching for a movie. "So.. Now we're supposed to watch a chick flick?" He sighed sarcastically. Rayna gave him a cheeky smile, "How about a comedy? To bring the mood up?" He suggested. She could tell he really didn't want to watch a sap movie. But that was okay, because she didn't want to either. She agreed and as she sat down she snuggled up to Koby. She liked lying on his chest and feeling so safe. That was something Jake never made her feel. The movie played and Rayna ended up giggling a bit. With ice cream and a strong arm around her, she beginning to settle on the inside. Rayna had hardly noticed the storm beginning outside when near the end of the movie there was a loud rumble of thunder. She clung onto Koby and put her face in his chest. "I hate storms..." She cried repeatedly. Koby was hushing her and rubbing her back. If Jake had loved her, this wouldn't be happening. Jake would be the one comforting her during this storm. But Jake was the storm.
Koby sat up so he was sitting opposite of Rayna and held her face in his hands, smiling at her, "Hey, hey, hey," He said quickly, grabbing her attention. "It's not that bad! We're inside, that's outside, I'm here, you're safe," He whispered, looking at the sobbing girl. Rayna slowed her breathing, squeezing her eyes shut. Koby pulled her forward again, back onto his chest, rubbing her back. "What did your dad do...?" He hesitantly whispered to her, looking down at her face. He didn't want to seem intrusive, but he felt he had the right to know. She tried to block out her dad's face. Recently he had been showing up in her dreams, turning them into nightmares. Pretending to be Jake and hanging with Andrew, her father had just been butting in. She opened her eyes and sat up grabbing Koby's hands. Koby rubbed her fingers, tracing the lines in her palms, muttering something about life lines, love lines and such. He looked back up at her eyes, waiting a response, when another crack of thunder rocked the house. He pulled Rayna's hands up to his lips, kissing them softly. Rayna blocked out the storm and focused on Koby. Koby alone. She took a deep breath as she answered his question, "He started off by slapping me. I'd have red marks on my arms and face everyday at school. When the teacher asked, I told her I fell. I guess she believed I was quite clumsy. But when I got into middle school he started to... Choke me. He would strangle me until I nearly passed out. Shaking me and holding me by my neck..... Then he started punching and kicking me. Full on beating me. But it was because he held back until there was a storm to conceal my screams.... He tried to hold it in but everything just piled up and exploded... On me.." She didn't stutter or choke up. She was telling it as it was, the past.
Koby wrapped his arms around Rayna, pulling her right up against his chest and entwined their hands as more thunder shook the house. The tv went out, followed by the blackness of the rest of the house. Koby sighed into Rayna's hair, closing his eyes. He pinned her to him, holding her tight, trying his hardest to keep her safe, to keep her from harms way. "Rayna," Koby whispered into her hair. She squeezed his hand lightly, planting small kisses on the arms that embraced her. Koby smiled. A flood of emotions barged their way into Koby's mind, the memories and thoughts he had tried for so long to pretend never happened. Once more, Koby froze, grabbing Rayna's attention. She didn't say a word, she didn't move - she probably sensed it too. The feelings he pretended weren't there, were. The emptiness he suddenly felt was overwhelming, the pain he knew shouldn't have been there was.
Koby moved his hands to Rayna's waist, twisting her around so that she would face him again. He placed a hand against her tear stained cheek, rubbing away the wetness that touched her face. She closed her eyes, moving her head into his palm. Koby let out a sigh, leaning his forehead against hers. The emptiness was overwhelming and he knew it shouldn't have been. He missed her. He wanted her more than he wanted her to begin with. Maybe it was real this time, not just what he had said many times before. But she wasn't his. As much as he wanted her, as much as he wanted to care for her, he couldn't. Koby began to think maybe this could be his way of trying for her again, letting her know he's not joking. But he knew she would shun him and turn back to Jake. However, for some reason, he knew that she wouldn't go back to him this time. Afterall, Jake did try hitting Koby. Koby mentally shook the thoughts out of his head and returned back to the present.
"That's a horrible thing your dad did, Rayna," Koby whispered, afraid to break the comfortable silence. He looked into Rayna's closed eyes that soon opened, allowing Koby to see straight through her; and what he saw scared him to say the least. He was scared because she was fragile, broken and needed mending, strong through the hard shell she had created, confused by means of emotions and least of all numb. He couldn't see anything past the numbness that was seen in her eyes. After everything he had found in her eyes, the numbness was what stood out the most. There wasn't anything there, no life, no light, no happiness. She was dead. Koby frowned, leaning back from Rayna, struggling to catch a proper breath. She didn't reply to him, but remained silent. The statement he made had no responses.
"I'm sorry," He whispered, pulling her towards him. She didn't fight, but more or less gave in. It was dark, it was storming and the wind echoed through the silent house, a constant whisper in the background when no one was talking. Koby squeezed her hands as she leaned forward onto his chest, sitting in an awkward position. Koby pursed his lips before standing up, and reaching towards the blanket box beside the tv, grabbing a blanket. He moved back into his original spot and flipped out the switch to release the legs of the fold out bed/lounge they were on. Rayna crawled under Koby's arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Koby spread the blanket over them, shielding them from the cold house, resting his head on top of Rayna's. For once he didn't think of her body, her lips or how she wasn't his, but was thinking about how at that very moment, she was.
"Rayna, please," Koby said, his voice raspy and loud compared to the silence. It unnerved him, returning back to his whisper. "I know that I've been... difficult, ever since we met," He began, "But, please, I just want to let you know, I was never Rose's, I was always yours," He strained the last word, moving a hand underneath her chin so he could look in her eyes. Their other hands were still entwined and their legs were a jumble of warmth. Koby looked down into her eyes for what seemed like an eternity, but he was too scared to look away. "And right now, I feel like you're mine too," He whispered as quiet as he could, raising his eyebrows, leaning in towards her. She was lifeless, no emotions were present. He planted a small kiss on her cold forehead. "Please talk to me," He begged.
"There's nothing to say," She said quietly, surprising Koby. Rayna moved her head back to its original position on his shoulder. Her voice had been flat before, but this was cold and dead. Koby didn't move a muscle, millions of possibilities flying through his head. You've got nothing to lose, he thought to himself. He slowly lifted Rayna's head again to look up at him. Her eyes were sad, and her mouth was quivering. Once more, he leaned in, Rayna breathed out "Don't," but his lips were already on hers.
Slowly and softly, his lips brushed hers. He brought the hand that was under her chin to behind her head, supporting her neck. His other hand was massaging their entwined fingers and his lips were soon crushing hers, inviting her warmth in. She was weak, hesitant to kiss back, but he knew she didn't want to hold back. As inappropriate as he thought the timing was, he would have regretted it later if he didn't do it. His lips parted, sliding his tongue into her mouth before pulling back with a sigh, looking at her. She kept her eyes closed and looked down at their hands. Their heads were still too close, so Koby added more distance. It was silent and intense. But Rayna eventually looked up at him. A small smile touched the curves of his mouth, giving comfort. He leaned back on the lounge, bringing Rayna down onto his chest.
"Rayna, I just want to make it clear to you that I've been here for you, since the beginning. I've never done anything to hurt you, I've comforted you always when Jake hurt you, I don't know what else you expect from me, " He went to touch her face again but she moved her head back. She had to remember she was with Jake. "Please, don't be like this," His voice was soft, quiet and begging. "You know I can be what you want," He whispered. She shifted her eyes around, avoiding direct contact with his deep eyes. "I haven't hurt you, I won't hurt you, I'll protect you," His voice was low and urgent, waiting. He wanted to wrap her into his arms, but he knew better than that. She took a few deep breathes as she gently put her head back on his chest. She was done talking. She wanted him to shut up and cuddle. Rayna wanted the world to slip away as his warmth would heat her up from the cold storm outside. Though the rain was letting up, her feeling weren't. Looking back up at him, "Can we just snuggle? Please? I really don't feel like talking..." her soft voice caressing his face. Koby sighed deeply, rolling his eyes back into his head. Biting his tongue, he leaned back into the lounge, letting Rayna place her head onto his shoulder. She didn't say much after that. With her head on his shoulder and arms wrapped around his muscular body, she fell asleep peacefully. Forgetting the storm going on outside and in her life.
The next day, Koby woke up first with Rayna still clutching onto his torso almost for dear life. He smiled, looking down at her, but his smile soon turned to a sour expression as he remembered last nights conversation. Clearing his throat, he nudged Rayna's shoulder, "Wake up," He whispered, slipping out from underneath her as she stirred. She rubbed her eyes, looking at him as he moved away. "I'm starting breakfast," He said a little louder. She nodded, but placed her head back down on the couch. He went into his kitchen and started a simple bacon and eggs breakfast with coffee. Soon the smell of bacon and eggs was wafting through the house with a hint of bitter coffee. He took a sip of the bitter liquid, letting the taste roll onto his tongue. He sighed before bringing out his meal, and then Rayna's. She was still asleep on the couch. He raised his eye brows and walked over to her, kneeling beside the couch, nudging her shoulder again. "Breakfast is ready," He said plainly. His mood was set. He was going to do whatever Rayna wanted him to do, and if Jake is what she wanted, after all the hurt he's caused her, so be it.
Rayna's eyes fluttered open slowly, a small yawn appearing on her mouth, and a hand quickly covering it. "Bacon and eggs with coffee," Koby said. His hands were on the lounge and no where near her face. He didn't want to touch her. He was stubborn this morning, his attitude almost cold. "C'mon," He said, standing up and walking over to the dining table. He sat down and began eating waiting for Rayna who slowly made her tired way over to the table. She sniffed the delicious smelling food before digging in, muffling a 'thank-you, it's good' between mouthfuls. Koby didn't realise how hungry he was until this morning, and his food soon disappeared, his coffee gone. "I'll drop you off at Jake's house, I've got to go out this morning," he explained, not looking up at her eyes. Rayna nodded, seeing as she didn't have a car, Koby couldn't see her refusing.
"Okay, uh, why Jakes?" Rayna questioned, frowning. Wouldn't it make sense to be dropped at the sorority?
"If he's your boyfriend, you'd want to sort this out," Koby said plainly, standing up and taking his plate to the kitchen sink before coming back and grabbing Rayna's plate and cup. "We're going in ten minutes," Koby said. He disappeared into his room and got changed before reappearing in the main room to leave. "Ready?" He asked, heading towards the front door.
"Yes," Rayna piped up, quickly catching up to him.
The drive was quick and quiet, Koby driving a little too fast to be considered legal, and a little too fast to be comfortable. The radio wasn't on, making the silence awkward, as if speaking a word would cause trouble. Soon enough, they were out the front of Jake's house.
"See you around," Koby said, looking ahead. He waited for Rayna to respond, but nothing came. Instead, the sound of the passenger sides door opening and closing was heard. Koby took that as a good bye, and drove off.
"You've been going through some stuff for weeks Jake. Weeks." She crossed her arms and was not impressed.
"I want answers." She kept her face straight and crossed her legs. She watched as he fiddled with his fingers and looked at his crotch.
"Rayna you know I love you... I didn't mean what I said yesterday.." She was about to fight back but she decided to wait and see what he was going to say.
"I know I haven't spent much time with you. I've either been at school or.... At a therapist..." He breathed out and looked her in the eyes. Things were clicking but she was still clueless to what was going on.
"Why?" Rayna asked, her voice barely a whisper. Jake sighed, biting his lower lip.
"Because," He said through gritted teeth. He didn't know whether to tell her here and now, or wait for a better time and place. He knew he should have told Andrew first, since he knew all along and was most concerned, but Rayna had a right to know. Jake's eye brows knitted together, and waves formed in his eyes. "I feel like I let you down, Ray," Jake whispered, still looking down at his hands.
"So what, you're seeing a relationship counselor?" She asked in disbelief. Jake quickly shook his head.
"No, no, no. Nothing like that, uh," His eyes were hesitant and he turned around to face the kitchen, wondering where Andrew was. Probably out filming, but to be sure, he wanted Rayna to hear in private. "Can we talk somewhere where other ears won't hear?" He asked, looking up slightly to see her face. She looked confused and uncertain, but nodded, standing up and walking up the stairs towards his room. Jake sighed, and began following her. She sat down on his bed, and he remained standing, pacing in front of the closed door.
"Rayna, I've been getting therapy because I've been having thoughts that I don't like having," Jake began. "I mean, they're not bad... Well I don't think they are, but...-"
"Are you depressed?" Rayna almost half shouted in concern, her voice already cooing. Again, Jake shook his head, his eyes closed but his feet kept walking.
"Rayna, I'm bisexual," Jake said finally, standing on the spot. He still looked down at his hands, confused and his face covered in a nice shade of red.
"It's not you it's me? Are you kidding me? Jake! This isn't funny!" She interrupted. She was now angry. What is he trying to pull? Did him and Rose team up? She stood up, not even able to look at him.
"You think I'd kid about this? This took me a lot of courage to tell you.. I love you and wanted to fix this." He said with concern. But Rayna was not having it.
"You can't be bi! You say you love me but I bet you love Andrew don't you!?" She yelled. She could hear footsteps in the hall but she couldn't take it. "Jake. I can't believe this. If this is your excuse to break up with me. Then fine." She sobbed. She turned towards the door with tears falling on her rose shaded cheeks. Now she was just sad. If he loved me wouldn't he just pretend or push those feeling away? As she opened the door Andrew was there. "What? Are you okay?" She stormed passed him and down the stairs. Rayna could hear Jake calling after her but she was done. This conversation was done. She walked out of the house and cried her way back home. What a wonderful night to an awful morning.
"It's not something I can simply control Rayna!" Jake shouted after her, meeting Andrew in the hall who gave him a doubtful look. "Rayna! Come back!" He yelled.
"Give it up," Andrew sighed. Jake threw a glare at him. "If you two keep fighting, it obviously won't work," Andrew shrugged. Jake had the urge to punch him, as much as he wanted to punch Koby the day before. He narrowed his eyes.
"What happened anyway?" Andrew asked. Jake bit his bottom lip and shook his head.
"I'm bi," He mumbled, walking away before Andrew had the chance to question him.
Jake ran down the stairs, trying to catch up with Rayna, but she was already out of the door and in the street. Jake pursed his lips and figured he'd drop it for now. They've had too many fights in 24 hours to cause enough trouble. Jake stood in the door way, leaning on the frame. It wasn't his fault he was bi. Hell, it was probably Andrew's fault for all he cared, he just wanted an excuse. After everything, Rayna couldn't have just stayed and tried to understand that it's not something he chose. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hold in the tears that threatened to tear him apart. He couldn't lose her. It was killing him to see her like this, hating him for what he has caused and for what he has become. There have been too many secrets in the relationship; that was the last one that needed to be heard. Guilt overran Jake's thoughts, of how much trust Rayna had put in him about Koby. But he didn't return that trust. He threw it back in her face without telling her about his feelings, about his being bi.
Angrily, Jake slowly slid to the floor, his back on the door frame, looking down his drive way. Slightly, Andrew came up behind him, laying a hand on his head. "You're not going to go backwards, you came to far," He said calmly. Jake resisted the urge to look up at the boy who had seen him as a role model. "You should go after her, see if you can fix it," Andrew said before shrugging and walking off. Was that it? He wasn't going to ask any questions about how, why, who? Jake opened his eyes and rubbed them before slowly standing up. He would go to his room and have a drink or two, play a couple of games and then go to sleep. He wouldn't want to go see Rayna. Everything would just turn to worse and everything would be his fault again. He didn't care if he would go backwards, it would be better than seeing what was ahead of him. He saw himself standing alone - without Rayna.
Stubbornly, after almost half an hour, he brought himself to his feet and sluggishly reached for his car keys. He would see Rayna, and he would try to fix things. Things shouldn't have been left this way, and if it was truly the end, he wouldn't want it to end like that. He didn't bother yelling out to Andrew and telling him where he was heading. Besides, he would probably get a kick out of being right once more. Jake headed towards his car, and drove towards the sorority.
The unlocking of the front door and the rushing words of wisdom of Ms James. was heard. Rose frowned and pulled on a robe around her figure and walked out of room to the railing, where she could look to the bottom near the entrance. There was Rayna, crying into Ms James' arms. Rose smirked and quickly walked down the stairs. Ms James' gave her a warning glance before passing over the sobbing girl who cried harder once in Rose's arms. "Shh, Rayna baby girl, what's wrong?" Rose asked quietly, calmly, guiding the crying girl into the lounge room.
"J-Jake...Bi...oh my gosh..." Rayna said in between sobs, pressing her head into Rose's arms. Rose frowned, but soon became pleased with herself, a small, discreet curve played on her lips. She ran her hands along Rayna's back in comfort and sat them down on the couch, where she held Rayna close.
"Aw, Rayna, darling. I don't want to say it, but I must. I warned you, told you even," Rose said, pursing her lips. She raised her eyebrows, but then hummed to Rayna the flowing words of 'it'll be okay, you'll be fine'.
"I-I know, b-but,-"
"Shh, shh," Rose shushed her. "I can't understand you when you're crying, speak when you're alright," Rose said. She closed her eyes and placed her head on top of Rayna's. Her sobs slowed to little sniffles which stopped completely when she spoke.
"I know, but he loved me. He loved me. And now he's bi! How can someone change like that so quickly!" Rayna's voice was weak and small, but Rose understood to a great length. She nodded.
"I know, but it tends to happen, darling. It'll be okay though," Rose stopped mid sentence when she heard footsteps. She thought it may have been Ms James but for the fact some male voice called out Rayna's name, it seemed to disturb her.
"Leave!" Rose shouted, her voice filled with authority that she imagined no else thought she had. A male quickly made their way into the lounge room where Rose and Rayna were. Rose narrowed her eyes at Jake, a glare easily plastered on her face. "Go away! Can't you see you've done enough damage!?" Rose shouted at her, shielding Rayna with her body.
"Please, let me just speak to her, I know it's bad but-" Jake held his arms out, pleading. Rose was adamant, shaking her head.
"Piss off!" Rose stood up, holding Rayna's hand, placing her body in between them. Rose guided Rayna back out to the entrance where Jake followed them.
"It's none of your fucking goddamn business anyway, you bitch!" Jake shouted back. Rose was surprised. He actually shouted. Turning on her heel, she faced him. Rayna was pressed up against a wall where Rose shoved her. Rose bit her lip, narrowing her eyes.
"You would have the guts to call me names, hey, gay boy," Rose crossed her arms across her chest. Jake's face was red with fury, his hands balled into fits.
"Oh if I could I wou-"
"Enough!!" Rayna shouted, her voice echoing through out the house.
"I know. I'll try to be here for you." He sighed, she could tell they were both on the verge of crying.
"So no more therapy sessions?" Jake averted his eyes. "So you'll be here for me when I'm alseep? Just like usual?" Rayna turned back and started walking away but her arm was grabbed.
"Well I'm not done with therapy. I'm working through this, trying to figure out what this means for me. For us." Rayna was hurt. She knew things wouldn't change.
"Jake. I need someone who is willing to be what I need, Rayna happened to glance out the window and see her favorite cuddle buddy. "like Koby" She mumbled. Bringing wide eyes to Jake.
"Is that who dropped you off this morning? God Rayna! I'm trying to figure myself out and you're with that no good asshole?" His words stung her heart. Koby was a lot more genuine than that.
"Shouldn't I be part of this?! I mean we are supposed to be a couple! Together! But you wouldn't even tell me where you were all the time!" She yelled. They were both raising their voices.
"Don't change the subject! Did you spend the night with Koby?!" Rayna had had enough. She walked away and upstairs to her room. Slamming and locking the door. That relationship was over and she didn't plan on ever going to him again. He always avoided issues and couldn't talk things out. But Koby was different. Ugh! Get out of my head! She began taking some advil. All the screaming had given her a major migraine. She pulled out her phone as Koby skipped through her mind a few more times. Maybe he is the one... I'm such an idiot.
Fifteen minutes later, Koby was at the sorority, standing outside on the veranda, looking in through the window, listening to the yelling voices.
"... gay boy!" Rose's high pitched voice traveled outside into Koby's ears. He frowned, walking towards the window. What the... He watched the conversation flow, and soon Rose left the room, leaving Jake and Rayna standing by themselves. At that stage, their speech was too quiet to be heard. He sighed and trudged off back to his car. He turned the radio on, still loud as it was before and drove home.
It wasn't long before he got a hushed, sobbing phone call from Rayna. He couldn't understand most of the words that were falling out of her mouth, but he knew what she was calling about. He frowned and hung up the phone.
Koby decided to make a choice between what was really important and what wasn't, and saw that his future before him wasn't looking to nice at this point. He opened his books that were lying on top of his dresser and opened them. He groaned, looking at the amount of work he hadn't done and got started. If there wasn't anything to do, he was going to actually study his course for University.
She woke up to the sound of people talking downstairs. As she crept closer, she saw Rose trying to get rid of Jake. She knew the way she had handled things was wrong, but she was done with him. Not because of his new found sexuality, but his lies and schedule. She though again about Koby as she walked back to her room. "You know I can be what you want," His words floated through her mind. She wished that she had stayed with him that night. That she had said yes.
The next few days Rayna spent packing and texting Koby, with no replies. She figured he might have just got a new number or blocked her. But she poured her heart out in those texts and was definitely getting frustrated that he never said anything. It was Wednesday when she finally finished packing after school. Now she had that dying question, where am I to go? She clenched her jaw as she texted Koby, this time asking if she could move in. She knew her days were limited to when the landlord would return. Rose had moved out Monday and got her own place. Even though Rayna and Rose were on good terms, Rayna wouldn't be able to handle Rose's party lifestyle which she had gotten back into. After an hour and no reply, Rayna decided she would drive to his house. He was really her only hope.
Koby, you were right. Jake is always hurting me.
Please, talk to me?
I need you Koby. You are the one who is always there for me..
I will never go back to him. We weren't right. But you and I, we are right.
I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out...
I want to be yours :/
Koby...
Please talk to me...
I know I've done so much wrong... But that's what humans do...
I keep making excuses. I keep saying sorry. I feel horrible and know I treated you as a rebound. I feel it might have been because I could never let you go. Like I have always needed you. I've never given up on us. Ever since we met at the sorority, I knew that you were special. My heart has always been so uptight and closed off. You're the only one I've ever opened up to. You got
straight to my heart and I can't just let you out of my life. You're killing me.. Not texting me...
Please Koby, I need you. I want you.
He sighed every time, and would turn off his phone and drink when he received something from her. He resisted the urge to call back, to text in fury about how much betrayal he felt by her. He had given her literally everything he could have, and she just threw it away, took it for granted. He had been there from the start, to the very finish. So, she lost both, Jake and Koby. Who was she going to turn to now? Each night for the past week, he didn't sleep properly, almost having permanent bags under his eyes. He would read pointless novels he found around his house until he was bored enough to sleep. But it still wasn't enough, and when things finally started to turn back around, it all fell apart again when Rayna would text simple words that tore furiously at his open wounds, breaking him down until he couldn't feel anymore, almost as numb as she had been only a week before.
A knock sounded at the door and Koby was sitting in the lounge room. A frown briefly cross his face before he stood up to answer the door. Koby opened the door, revealing the blonde haired girl he, just like Jake had tried, to remove from his life. Koby groaned loudly, glaring at Rayna. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Why... Why are you here?" His voice was quiet, cold and reserved. He was more than done. He just couldn't care less anymore. More or less, he was back to how he use to be before Rayna, minus his major flirting problems. His eyes were rimming slowly. He didn't want to see her, he didn't want to be near her.
"What? You expect me to let you stay here?" He almost laughed with disbelief, throwing his hands in the air. He was being so cold and heartless.
"Yeah.. I have nowhere else to go... I'd be on the streets... Again.." She looked down and tried to control her emotions. She didn't want him to take her in because she cried. She wanted him to help her because they were friends. Because he might still care.
"You hurt me," Koby said, finally looking at her. He leaned in his door frame, not allowing her inside. They needed to have this talk before they went anywhere. "You hurt me and you want to move in?" He almost laughed again, but his eyes were rimming further. "Why do you keep running back to him" Koby spat the last word, not wanting to say the guys name. Rayna was hoping to avoid this. She hoped he would just let her in, like the times before. She really had blown it.
"I guess I..." She didn't know what she thought. She fiddled with her fingers as she tried to focus her thoughts. "I had known Jake before. He wasn't something new. And the way he handled meeting me was so different than when I met you. It was all a big mistake... I guess I was always scared of something, someone new." She looked up at Koby who seemed to have slightly calmed down. She really just wanted to hug him. Or kiss him. But she knew that would ruin everything. He probably didn't want her. Not even as a friend. But she hoped he was open to the idea. Especially if they moved in together.
"I'm sorry," He whispered into her hair,his voice muffled, another tear escaping. "I'm just... Tired," He whispered.
"Want me to come with you?" Koby asked, raising an eyebrow at the squealing girl. She nodded as she tossed him her keys, heading towards her car. She liked her car, but she was glad she wouldn't have to be living in it. "I suppose I'm driving?" Koby asked again, laughing. They drove up to the sorority and just as Rayna was putting the last of her boxes in the car, she saw a man in a suit walking up to the door. The landlord. Thankfully Koby saved her just in time. "Thanks..." She smiled as they began to drive off to their new home.
He pulled up behind his own car and got out, popping the trunk of the car and immediately went to help Rayna unload her stuff. Then, immediately a problem arose. "What?" Rayna asked. Koby put his hands on his hips. "Sleeping arrangements, one bedroom house..." A sneaky smile played on Koby's lips before Rayna rolled her eyes. Koby poked his tongue out at her, "It's alright, I'll sleep on the couch," Koby said, continuing with getting boxes out of the car and placing them inside the house.
"Okay, let's get one thing straight first, this is my house, and uh, you'll get... Two draws for your stuff, as for the 'pig sty', leave it as it is! If I can find my stuff and you can find yours, we'll have no problems," He smiled sweetly, his tone innocent before peeping into his bath room, checking it out for himself. "It's not that bad!" He called out to her before reappearing in the lounge room.
Rayna crossed her arms and followed him. "I know it's your house. But shouldn't you keep your house in order?" Koby's facial expressions turned sour.
"It is in order," He complained. "It'll be fine," He sighed. Rayna would have none of his nonesense. They were already beginning to feel like an old married couple. "How do you think I manage!" He moaned.
"Horribly." She said snarkily. Rayna walked closer to him, letting her perfume linger by his nose. "Please, I'll organize it myself.." Immediately, Koby shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips.
"It's fine... I'll do it," He mumbled, glancing at the 'pig sty'. He glared at her once he moved his gaze. "I live just fine..." He said, brushing past her to grab the one last box. "Ugh, all your stuff.." He realised she might not have enough room for all her things.
"You didn't have to say it like that..." Rayna called back out. Koby stopped moving and turned a circle, raising an eyebrow. One last glance at his house before it turned into their house.
"You're paying half the rent," Koby yelled out as she walked out into the lounge room, dumping his clothes. She nodded.
"I know that, Koby" She almost rolled her eyes, but turned away to go back to his... her room. Koby watched her as she walked, wondering how he would manage to get use to her living here. Literally a doorway was between them now, and if they fought, it could possibly turn into World War III. There was no escape anymore. "I'm cooking tonight," Rayna said as she walked back into the lounge room - that would soon turn into Koby's room - dumping the last of his clothes. He shrugged.
"Sure," He mused. He sat on the edge of the couch arm, watching Rayna through the door way of her room. She was opening and closing boxes, things that probably meant something and some that didn't.
"It's not that... I've just always imagine a woman cooking for me with nothing but an apron." He said playfully. Rayna was annoyed, of course he'd say that. She was chopping then chicken and adding it to the meal when he came closer.
"That's right. You cook that food" He chuckled. Rayna turned to look at him as she tried to ignore him. His antics were working, all the little comments. With the constant biting of her lip, she kept cooking and looked for the dishes.
Koby opened the fridge, grabbing two cans of beer, cracking each open and placing one beside Rayna. He sat up on the counter and watched her silently. She sighed, "Take a picture, it'll last longer," She rolled her eyes playfully.
"Why when you're living here now?" Koby poked his tongue out at her again. Soon enough, dinner was prepared and set on the table where they began to eat in silence.
She woke up to the smell of eggs and bacon. As she walked in the kitchen in her barely there shorts and pajamas Rayna grabbed herself a plate. "Is this what it'll be like every morning? I think I'd prefer the breakfast in bed." She giggled. That day they ended up just playing video games and unpacking some more. Rayna liked seeing him 24/7, and spending so much time with him. It was really nice.
"C'mon, nothing will hang out," He said cheekily, smirking at her. Her face had turned a nice shade of red which Koby secretly admired seeing maybe a little too much.
"Ugh! Koby! I don't care! Deal with it!" She repeated, her face remaining red. He gave into her and accepted the harsh truth of never just wearing underwear anymore. He pouted at her, but she ignored him.
"You can just wear your underwear too if you want," He said quietly, sarcastically.
"Koby!! Shut up!" She laughed at him, slapping him playfully. He rolled his eyes.
Eventually, the couch was becoming uncomfortable. Even though it came out into a bed, it wasn't the best thing to sleep on. He soon decided he'd go out and buy his own single bed, but couldn't find a free space in his house. Get rid of the couch? He thought. He thought better of it and left it.
Soon, school came back and Koby drove Rayna to her shoots, walked her to her classes and drove them home. At first it felt weird, different because usually he'd head in the direction of the sorority to drop her off at home, but instead, he wouldn't get a break from her. She was to come straight home with him. In the afternoons after school, they became moody, niggling. They were both tired from the day. Breakfast dwindled the later they woke up, the later they went to sleep talking about pointless things. Rayna had almost a list of things that needed fixing in the house that Koby had never noticed.
"Gees, where would you be without me!" She sighed.
"In my own bed..." Koby glared at her, but she laughed. I don't want to know where, he thought. He wasn't new to these feelings, if anything they were the same. He expected them to be different now that Rayna was living with him, but everything was still the same. In a way, it kind of disappointed him. But waking up every morning to see Rayna in her cute pj's brought a smile upon his face. Every now and then he got a hug, and probably held on a little too long than what he suppose to, but she didn't seem to mind.
"Movie night?" He asked. It was Friday afternoon and they were both sitting at the dining table after getting home from their day.
"Movie night?" He asked. Rayna had been wanting to see the new spider man. So she agreed, she spent twenty minutes freshening up her make up, then they headed to the movie. "I swear we're not going to get good seats.." Koby moaned. But Rayna smiled at him, "Don't I look good? Stop complaining." She smiled as she accidentally put her hand on his thigh. Pulling her hand back faster than a hamster on his wheel. "Sorry.. Ugh.." She said awkwardly as she began to look out the window.
Once they got inside the cinema, it was already pitch black, the commercials playing on the screen gave the only a small light that allowed some vision. Koby grabbed Rayna's wrist, guiding her down the aisle to their seats. They were seated near the middle, right next to the wall. Koby allowed Rayna to walk through first and sit down, and he quickly followed suit. He smiled at her as he sat down, and without hesitation, placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him. Rayna frowned at him, almost pulling away when he spoke up.
"Aw, c'mon Rayna, I'm not going to make a move, it's just a thing of comfort," He mumbled to her. She seemed to hesitate as she settled in her seat, letting the words process.
It was seeming harder and harder to not just love him, in the next few days. During all her free time, she was with Koby. He was in the lounge, getting things from his room, cooking her dinner. She to be a bit more flirty with her wardrobe when they hung out. Having shorter shorts and lower tops, it was nice in the warmer weather. She wasn't freaking out about school, she was doing alright and had been learning a lot for her sketching. Rayna had hardly sketched recently. If she had it be her and Koby sitting together, or eating together, or playing video games together, because that was always the only thing on her mind.
They ended up spending a lot of time together doing even the most simplest things like mowing the backyard and cleaning the dishes. More often than not Koby would make a small pass at her, holding her hand then dropping it, then they would both move on as if nothing even happened. Some nights after they went to bed, he would stay up late, thinking about how there was just a door between them and how he could sneak into her room and hold her again, and kiss those lips. But he knew the consequences would be too great - he wasn't going to lose her again. He began thinking of Jake again, and wondered how it ended between Rayna and Jake, but he wasn't game enough to ask. It felt like a loose end and figured it would be spoken about when she was ready. That was probably the most hardest thing for Koby to control - how many questions he had, the instinctive flirting behavior, how close he would be to her and ignore the urge to hold her or kiss her. Everything was difficult, being around her. He had to watch the way he would look at her, and watch the way he spoke.
Koby swore that when Rayna looked at him sometimes, there was something there that he couldn't understand, but it was close to how it use to be. It would be late at night when she gave him those looks, just before they were to go to sleep. It was as if her eyes were begging for him to kiss her, but he ignored the strange sensation, and palmed it off as if it was his imagination. But he knew damn well the way he looked at her. The way he gawked at her body in the way she moved or in the clothes she wore. She never ceased to amaze him.
A week or more later, it was a Wednesday night, roughly heading on almost eleven. Rayna was getting ready for bed as she had a photo shoot in the afternoon and Koby had supposed classes. Rayna was standing in her bedroom doorway and Koby was sitting on the couch armchair, wearing nothing but sweats, looking at her. She was saying something about her classes, shoot and life going so well and how happy she was. Koby couldn't stop looking at her messy hair, the natural non-caked up face, her short pj's... He just couldn't stop admiring her. A frown crossed Rayna's face, and she mumbled something about Koby looking at her funny. In a split second, a million thoughts flew through Koby's mind.
It was just them, living in his house. It was just them without Rose or Jake anymore. It was just them, looking after one another. Neither of them went out, neither of them brought anyone over - it was just them. Why did it take me so long to realise?, Koby thought. Koby remembered the first time he held Rayna when she crumpled to the ground in the sorority during the storm when he yelled at her. She was crying and screaming, scratching his chest. He remembered so clearly how he was there for her until she was able to function again. He remembered Jake's party and how harsh they had been to each other and they both ended up crying on the bath room floor, drunk. He remembered the first time Rayna stayed at his house, clutching to him for dear life after her first fight with Jake... He remembered everything. He couldn't stop himself remembering how much he was there for her, and in turn, making him feel as if she had been there for him too. A frown crossed Koby's face before quickly disappearing. The kisses they had shared, even if majority of them were from pure hatred and for own personal use, a handful were actually something meaningful. The one day where he kissed her and told her that should have been there first... He tried to think if that was the last time they really enjoyed themselves, in each others arms. But she was still dating Jake at that time, and she was a different Rayna too.
All those thoughts blurred through Koby's mind in a split second before he realised that she needed him as much as he needed her. But not only did he need her, but he wanted her. He wanted her back. Koby began to remember when she said that she was never his, but he knew he would have been a lie. She was always his, and he knew it. He wanted her back, and she was living in his... their house. She wanted him too, and he could tell.
Slowly, Koby stood from the arm of the chair and walked towards Rayna. She stood still, puzzled by the sudden silence and hesitation from Koby. His eyes looked at the ground, and for once in his life, he didn't feel confident, he didn't feel in control or dominant. He felt... vulnerable. He felt tiny in Rayna's presence where she would have the complete control of the outcome of his actions. Koby was soon standing right in front of her, his eyes still looking at the ground. Hesitation filled his movements, his face looking like a little boy, shying from a girl he liked in a school yard. He lifted his face to look at Rayna. Her eyes were filled with what he thought would have been nervousness. Koby felt nervous just looking into her eyes. How much control they had over him was unbelievable. Koby leaned forward a little bit until he closed the gap between them, their bodies touching. He raised a hand to her face, cupping her cheek. His other hand wrapped around her waist firmly. He still looked into her eyes, and every movement where their skin connected, the warmth of her skin brought a new sensation over him every time. Her eyes bore into his own, almost as if it were begging him to kiss her. He let out a slow breath, feeling Rayna's breath on his bare chest.
"Rayna," He whispered. Nothing more was said as she nodded, her hands crawling their way up his back and into his hair. His lips crashed down on hers, her warmth for-filling everything he wished could have happened sooner. All the memories and experiences, everything that made him like her, love her came through in one kiss. All his promises of protecting her from harm, his lips pronounced. He softened his kiss, deepening it. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and without hesitation she joined him.
"Koby," He heard her whisper against his lips. He lightly shook his head, shushing her.
"Koby," He heard again. A frown crossed his face.
Then, he woke up.
Sitting up in a rush, Rayna was standing at the foot of the couch, almost shouting at him to wake up. "I have to get to my shoot in fifteen minutes and it's almost a half hour drive! We slept in!" She shouted. Was it all a dream? He thought. If it wasn't, then this wasn't a good morning... If it was, then thank god. Koby mumbled something about a headache before going through his piled clothes on the ground and changing right there in the lounge room. Rayna didn't seem to make a big deal, in a big enough rush as it was. Koby didn't bother with anything else and put on shoes before rushing himself and Rayna into the car. He started the car and reversed out of the drive way. Immediately he turned on the radio and tried to sort his thoughts out. Maybe I should hold her hand, maybe that'll prove if last night was a dream, he thought. He looked at her, but she was already stressing about her lateness. Maybe I can ask her later...
During the drive, Koby concluded that he did care, he did love her. He wouldn't care anymore about his decisions. She had come into his life, into his home. He loved her, and he wanted her back.
When Rayna woke, she looked at the nice sun shining in her face. As she rolled over she looked at the time. 9:24am She looked back at the sun and then it hit her. "OH MY GOD!" She got up and began to pack her purse full of what she needed. She must have forgotten to set her alarm last night. She walked into the living room and began to shake Koby urgently. "Koby! Koby!" He woke up in a haze, "I have to get to my shoot in fifteen minutes and it's almost a half hour drive! We slept in!" She shouted. She was freaking out. Rayna knew she'd be late and that she'd get in shit. Sighing she got in his car, thanks to her crap car breaking down all the time, and Koby began driving her.
Rayna totally forgot about what happened last night as she rushed on set. She had a horrible shoot, especially when she had a flash of what happened the night before. What did it mean? With everything going on in her head, she was distracted and not able to focus. Maybe he was thinking about her... Maybe he liked her... Maybe he was thinking about Rose... Maybe he liked Rose... She felt like crap. She just wanted to cuddle up with Koby and talk about her feelings. Ugh.. I'm such a woman...
Rayna was standing out front, holding her bulging purse with a smile smeared across her face. Koby pulled up beside her and reached over the seat to open the door. "Good shoot?" He asked, admiring her smile. She shook her head furiously, but a smile remained on her face. "Then... Why are you smiling all crazy like?" He laughed, pulling away from the curve and driving back home.
"Just happy, I guess," Rayna replied, looking over Koby curiously. Her eyes immediately returned back to the road when Koby took a chance to glance at her. He slightly frowned with a smile on his face.
"I see," He said, pursing his lips. Eventually they arrived at home with little talk, and hungry bellies. Koby insisted on making something, before realising there was no food left in the house. He laughed nervously while Rayna rolled her eyes, muttering something along the lines of 'told you so'. It was weird for Koby. In a position like that, he would normally scoop the girl in question into his arms and shower her with merciless kisses until she stopped her 'told you so' act. But he looked awkward, standing in the kitchen looking at Rayna.
"What?" Rayna almost blushed, walking out of the kitchen into her room to dump her stuff before walking back into the lounge. "Video games?" She called out, sitting in the lounge. Koby was already behind her, scaring her. He ran his hands down her waist from behind before almost running into her.
"Oops," He muttered before sitting down beside her. He turned on the console and they began playing call of duty, but Koby's attention span was short and impatient. He looked at her, mouth agape as if he were to say something, but stopped himself. Rayna frowned at him, looking at him as if he were crazy.
"Yes?" She slurred out the word. Koby shrugged and looked back at the screen. Their arms were gently brushing each other, sending warm feelings over Koby's body. He just wanted her arms up and around his neck, those lips on his. He stopped once he got killed again and peeked another look at her. Her hair was still fairly done up by the shoot and she looked gorgeous. Rayna looked at him again, almost in annoyance.
"What!" She asked in disbelief, a nervous laugh tagging on the end.
"You just look really... Nice," Koby said, then turned back to the screen.
"Nice?" Rayna scoffed. "Really? Nice?" She shook her head. Koby turned back to her and glared at her.
"Beautiful, sexy, unbelievably hot," Koby could go on, but he stopped himself as Rayna's face turned red. He smirked at her and turned back to the game. "That's what you wanted to hear, wasn't it?" He asked cheekily. I bet there was a lot of things you wanted to hear, Koby added sarcastically in his head.
When dinner time rolled around, Rayna walked out of her room from sketching and saw Koby making spaghetti. The aroma of marina made her think of when they first made spaghetti together, and how she collapsed on the floor like an idiot. I'm sure that was one great first impression.. She sighed as she began to set the table, "accidentally" bumping into him when she walked by. He would chuckle and hip check her back. It was a war, and who would break first and give in to the flirtatiousness was at stake. Rayna was a winner, so she quietly sat down and pretended what was pulling at her heart strings wasn't there. "Spaghetti, huh?" She said as he began to put some on her plate.
"Spaghetti, huh?" She stated, looking up at him as if she was trying to figure something out. Koby looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, my favorite meal," He shrugged. An evil grinned appeared as he was finishing putting Rayna's meal on her plate before he "accidently" split sauce onto her neat white singlet she was wearing. Instantly a hand flew up to Koby's mouth that formed a small 'o' shape as he pretended to be shocked and sorry. He winked at Rayna as she bit her tongue. Koby couldn't tell if she was angry or not, but the adorable faces she was doing which involved biting her lip and squeezing her eyes shut from the burning heat, was just too irresistible.
Rayna immediately stood up, sending sprays of food onto the floor. Her mouth too, formed an 'o' shape and followed by "oh my god". She looked as if she was ready to kill him. Her face turned into a scowl as she wiped her shirt, sending more sauce onto the floor before she stuck her hand into her food and threw it at Koby's bare chest. A heap of spaghetti landed squarely in the middle of Koby's chest, a trail of red following the hot pasta, stinging his cool skin. Koby looked up from his chest and glared at Rayna who sarcastically whispered, "Oops." Koby shook his head, sticking his tongue into his cheek before grabbing a handful of spaghetti from the bowl and followed Rayna as she ran around to the opposite side of the house (the other side of the kitchen).
Koby stalked her, a constant glare on his face. Rayna giggled, possibly for-filled on getting him back. Koby only shook his head at her and ran at her, quickly gaining on her, but dropped some spaghetti and slipped, causing Rayna to be sent into hysterics. Koby practically growled, but couldn't control his own laughter when Rayna snorted. While she was on her knees, wiping her eyes from laughing, Koby quickly stood up and smeared spaghetti through her neat and pretty hair, earning a scream from Rayna and a square hit in the balls. Koby howled, but remained standing tall as she snatched more spaghetti from his bowl and rubbed his across his chest. He stood still, surrendering as she walked around to his back, rubbing more sauce. Koby laughed, shaking his head.
"Had enough yet?" His tone was playful and flirtaious, almost having a hidden meaning behind the question. Rayna giggled and shook her head. Koby rolled his eyes and grabbed the bowl with both hands and held it above Rayna's head, where all the spaghetti landed. Rayna scoffed, paralyzed in the spot. Koby chuckled, and rubbed the falling spaghetti around her was and instinctively pulling her close. His hands were firmly on her waist, rubbing in the spaghetti, turning her white singlet a gross orange. "So much for dinner," He muttered, a bright smile on his face. He was looking down at her shirt as he spoke before realising how close he had pulled her to him. He almost froze in his spot, focusing on his hands on her body. He slowly looked up at Rayna who seemed to be studying him. He looked at her collar bones, and how badly he wanted to dip into her and kiss her. He looked at her jaw, and how he wanted to trail his fingers underneath it to send her goosebumps. He looked at her lips and how plump and kissable they looked, and imagined how they would feel against his own. He looked at her cute nose, her high cheek bones, then her eyes. Her eyes captured him, put him in a trance where he just couldn't look away. Slowly he felt his hands form a mind of their own as they moved up her back, and he felt himself move in.
Then he cleared his throat and stood back, laughing as if nothing happened. "Go for a shower, you're gross," He joked, pushing her away from him. She shook her head almost dazed, and he could feel it. The longing she had for him that he had for her. She smiled shyly at him before wondering off to her room, into the shower. Koby fell to the ground, picking up the grotty spaghetti.
What am I doing?
Once Rayna finished in her shower, she got changed into her pajama's and brushed her teeth, no longer concerned with having dinner. It seemed her hunger had been... Satisfied. She peeped through the door into her bedroom, checking that Koby was still in the kitchen. Since the bathroom with the shower was attached to her bedroom, she got a lot more mirror time than he did. She wrapped the towel around her body, covering herself as much as she could with the itty bitty towel and quickly rushed to the other side of the room to close the door. Suddenly Koby appeared out of no where in the door way, a look of embarrassment covering both of their faces.
"I heard that!" Koby shouted back, a laugh hinting in his tone. Koby sat on the end of the couch arm chair, much like he had in his dream. Soon enough, Rayna opened the door just enough so her head poked out. Her eyes were narrowed into slits, her lips pursed. She was pretending to eye Koby off as if he were a predator. Koby laughed again, shaking his head. Slowly she stepped out of the room, leaving the door wide open. She crossed her arms over her chest, "Go for a shower, you're gross," She mimicked him, pinching her nose. Koby rolled her eyes.
He got up quickly and stretched his arms out, "Want a hug!" He walked towards her, his spaghetti covered chest threatening to embrace her clean frame. Rayna furiously shook her head, "Get away from me!" She giggled. Koby shook his head, smiling and walked into her room, grabbing his tooth brush and heading into the shower.
Koby quickly washed his hair, and his body with his Lynx body wash, beginning to smell absolutely amazing again. He brushed his teeth and stood in the shower enjoying the warmth before he got out. He didn't think about much, because there was only one thing he knew he was going to do tonight. He was determined on getting Rayna back. He got out of the shower and realised he didn't have a towel. He groaned loud enough Rayna knocked on the door asking what was wrong.
"I have no towel, can you get one from the laundry?" Koby groaned. He heard some shuffling, then a laugh.
"No. Drip dry," Came the reply.
"What! Get me a towel!" Koby yelled at her in disbelief. He heard some more laughing. "Seriously, Rayna, don't make me come out there naked," He said, almost angry, but her laughing was making it difficult.
"No," She squealed. He could heard her giggling again, jumping up and down at the door. Koby groaned again, standing awkwardly in the small bathroom, looking around for something to dry himself. All he had was his clean clothes. He frowned and looked at himself in the foggy mirror. His hair looked black when it was wet, complementing his already dark green eyes.
"Damn I look good, Rayna, you do want to see me naked," He said sarcastically. The laughing stopped on the other side of the door. "Towel... Please?" He started to beg. He could imagine Rayna wishing to see him beg naked on the floor. "Rayna Grey!!" Koby yelled when he got no response. "You've got a fully grown, naked man in your bathroom begging for a towel! That's saying something!" The laughing started again but it faded away. Then out of no where, a hand holding a small, small towel appeared from behind the door.
"Thank you," Koby said as he went to grab it, but it disappeared from behind the door again. "RAYNA!" Koby complained. The door was still open the tiniest bit. He covered himself up just in case. "GIVE ME THAT DAMN TOWEL!"
"You need grown up sized towels," She said quietly, laughing. Koby groaned as the towel appeared again, but the door was knocked and opened slightly, revealing a very naked Koby. Rayna's eyes immediately fell to the floor, her face turning as red as it had ever been and she threw the towel at him, turning into a fit of hysterics. She ran from the room laughing. Koby couldn't tell if it was actually funny, or from embarrassment, and settled on both.
Eventually, he dried himself off and clothed himself, sulking as he walked out of the bathroom in search for Rayna. "When I find you, Rayna..." He said loudly into the house. He heard giggling in the lounge room. He shrugged and closed the bedroom door and began looking through the piles of stuff scattered around what used to be his room. Rayna mustn't have noticed the closed the door. So, he took the chance to look at her sketch book. The inside of the cover was like an introduction, something beautiful that said a lot about Rayna's person. It was on the inside of the cover, and he soon realised it was a description of some sort, and at the bottom, it said 'Mum. Koby's eyes widen. He realised he hadn't heard much about her mum and questions flew into his mind. But he began turning pages, with one that fell to the floor. He ignored it and kept flipping until came across something that almost looked exactly like him, but he couldn't decide whether or not it was.
The door opened and Koby's eyes flew up to the intruder, and he looked like he was caught red-handed.
"What are you doing!" Rayna yelled at him. Koby began to say something but she continued. "That is personal! Why would you go through my stuff, Koby? Oh my gosh, what did you see! Ugh," She became flustered, taking the book from Koby's hands. He bit his lower lip from the question that began to bug him, Where's your Mum? He concentrated instead on how flustered she became and listened to her stress out but stopped her by grabbing her pacing body by the waist. She glared at him. "You can't do that," She said obviously angry that he snooped through her stuff.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't of have-"
"Damn straight!"
"But you're always so involved with this book that it got me intrigued," Koby's hands were still around her waist, but neither of them seemed to mind. He missed it, therefore cherishing it every time he got to hold her. She looked up at him in annoyance by his snooping. He whispered sorry again to her, and her eyes softened.
"You could have just asked.." She said softly, but still irritated.
"But you would have said no.." He said, coming back at her. "You just can't stay angry at me, can you?" Koby said cheekily, poking his tongue out at her. She gasped and shoved him, making him lose his footing and almost falling onto the bed. He laid down, moaning. "I haven't been on this thing since you turned up," He said cheekily. Rayna shook her head.
"What is with you tonight! You're mean," She said just as cheekily back. She joined him on the bed, sitting cross legged beside him. He turned his head to look at her, a sheepish grin on his face.
"It's not being mean, honey, it's flirting," He winked at her, but she slapped him playfully, gobsmacked by his sudden confident behavior again - almost the old Koby, but improved. Her eyes caught him again. His smile faded, but he continued looking at her as she looked at him.
"Where's your Mum, Rayna?" He whispered. Rayna's face went into shock. She wasn't sure if she was more angry than surprised he would say such a thing. But he didn't know. Koby leaned forward a little to catch one of her hands, but she moved it away.
"Sorry," He looked down at his empty hands, feeling the rejection. "Touchy subject," He stated. He wanted to look up at her, but he couldn't find the nerve. She took a deep breath, trying to breath in all the memories she could still remember.
"Look... I'm really mad at you... But I guess you should know... My mom is.." She clenched her hands into fists, holding her emotions in. "My mom is dead.. She died in a car accident when I was seven. She... She was coming to pick me up after school..." Rayna turned her head so Koby couldn't see that she was having a hard time talking. But she knew he'd be able to hear it in her voice. His hands instinctively flew to hers when he spotted the odd tone. He held them tight in fear of her pulling away again, and cupped them. He kept his head down though, not wanting to meet the sadness in her eyes.
"Wow, I... I don't know what to say, Rayna," His voice was quiet, low. Now he was shocked.
"Well it sucks. It really does. The only few things I can remember is when we'd go to the park... I'd pick flowers and she'd tell me what type they were and all about them. My mom was a florist.. We both really loved flowers.. Now I can hardly stand them. It reminds me of her, and that... It was sort of my fault.." She choked on the words her father used to yell at her in the dark. That she was the reason her mom wasn't around. All the hits and punches were because he blamed her. Everyday she would wear the bruises for her mom, almost in a way of saying sorry. She felt Koby place one of his hands on her arm now.
"It was not your fault. Everyone dies, there are accidents, sometimes people just get unlucky and die earlier than expected." He said sincerely. She could feel the water building up in her eyes, thinking about the day she ran away. "How did it end..?" Koby asked, almost whispering.
"Well when I was 15, I had finally had enough. I ran away to my best friends house, Kaleigh. I was fed up of being hit and finally realized he was out of line to hurt me. He didn't know anything about my friends so I figured he'd never find me. Kaleigh tried to convince me to tell the cops, but... He was still my dad. So I lived there for almost 3 years, but one day after school, I saw him. He was watching me from across the street. As I walked back to Kaleighs, he was following me. So I started booking it. I ran all the way across town, it was scary. Running around somewhere I didn't know. I went down streets and alleys I had never been down." The first tear fell from her eye. She hated her past. She just wanted to live now. In her present.
"Once I realized he wasn't following me anymore, I didn't trust living there anymore. So I started hitch hiking. I only had a few things in my backpack and thats when I got to San Fran. I loved the city, but it was hard at first. I... I had to stay in a homeless shelter for a few months, until I had money for a car. The car I have now is quite a beauty compared to my first one.. But life was definitely tough. I had a lot of trouble getting my first few shoots. But once I got them, I guess I was on a roll. The money came in and it got me going. It was really just a coincidence that I met you.. My friend Kaleigh had called me and told me about Pepperdine Uni, she was the one who forced me to apply. Getting in, I will say, has been the best thing ever to happen to me.. I got a free house, and started living a normal life, the funny thing was how the university didn't care that I never finished high school..." She kind of laughed. Trying to lighten her sad life story. "I know I could eventually if I needed, but it's a good thing I'm skinny and pretty... I get it from my mom. She was so beautiful..."
Koby finally looked up at Rayna, seeing the water in her eyes, threatening to escape like a river down her cheeks. He bit his tongue, wondering how she would react in a way when she's fragile, but risked it. He sighed, pulling her arms so she would fall forward into him so he could hold her. He should have done that from the start, but the images of her father ran through his head. "I bet she was beautiful," Koby agreed with her. They sat in silence for a little while. Koby allowed Rayna to have some silence, probably remembering her past, her mum. He kind of felt ashamed for bringing it up, but soon Rayna turned around in his arms, wiping her face, and asked him, "What about your family?" It was sudden and unexpected, but he should have known that was to come.
"When I was born, my father was already dramatically ill. Only days after, he had a heart attack and died," He shrugged as Rayna almost gasped. "I guess I'm not sad about it, I never knew him, wasn't close to him. Mom never remarried either, so I figured he must have been a good guy, and she always told me how much I'm like him," Koby stopped to look at his hands that had found their way into entwining his fingers with Rayna's. He looked up at her and slightly grinned.
"Mom is back at home, healthy. She's like a beautiful goddess to me," He stopped to chuckle. "She taught me a lot, and because she was the only parent I know, I grew to respect women. If I ever lost her," Koby shook his head. He didn't want to finish the sentence, especially after hearing about how Rayna lost her mom. "But Mom's mom, my grandmother, Mammy, she forced a lot of manners down my throat," Koby beamed. "She, too, is happily alive... Well last time I saw her anyway," He shrugged and looked at Rayna. "Raised by women and still an arrogant jerk," Koby shook his head at himself. "But that's my story," He sighed.
"So you never think about your Dad?" Rayna asked, slightly confused. Koby shook his head, questioning her tone.
"No. I use to though, but now, I just don't see a point. I never met the man, and I'm sure he was one hell of a guy, but I never had a connection. So I never felt the need to be sad, but be happy as his son," Koby sighed again. "We should go to bed," He pulled Rayna in for a tight embrace, and he didn't want to let go. His right hand was on the back of her head as his head rested on her shoulder. His other hand was wrapped around her waist. He pulled back and smiled, and she forced one out in return. "Good night," He whispered.
"Night," She whispered back. Koby started to stand, and felt like he was almost obligated to kiss her, but resisted it, and instead, walked out awkwardly. It had gotten late, really fast. He didn't realise how much they must have spoken, and the shower incident on top of that. He laughed silently at the thought. Rayna closed her bed room door, waving smally at him as he laid on the couch with his arms behind his head.
Koby found difficultly in shushing the thoughts in his mind that screamed "do it." There was nothing he could lose and the worse that could happen is awkwardness in the house hold for a week or two. It's not like she could get up and leave - she had no where else to go. Besides, she flirted back with him just as much as he flirted with her; which is a lot. Koby groaned inaudibly. He wanted to just find the guts to kiss her. He had never felt nervous to do this before, out of every girl he had been with, this had been the most nerve-wracking kiss he's thought about. He felt like he was already being judged, or hated that he would make such a move on her. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought of the guys at Uni who made a comment about Rayna being his girlfriend, and he snapped at them, saying she wasn't.
Koby pursed his lips, sitting up in the couch. He looked over at the kitchen, seeing just under the cupboards about the stove, that stove time blinked two in the morning. Koby sighed and climbed out of bed. He instantly felt colder, bare-chested and only wearing shorts. He started creeping silently around the couch and to Rayna's room when he bumped into a body.
"Rayna?" Koby gasped loudly.
"Koby," Rayna scoffed, almost as surprised as him. "What are you doing up?" Her voice was quiet, maybe nervous, he couldn't tell.
"Bathroom," He instantly replied. They stood awkwardly close, Koby's arms on her forearms, their heads closer together than they thought. Koby frowned for a moment, then cleared his throat. They stood their awkwardly for a long moment, perhaps a few minutes.
"Did you really get up to go to the bathroom?" She whispered. Now or never, his conscious screamed. He felt Rayna slowly brush his hands off her forearms, and he grabbed her hands, playing with her fingers in the dark. He could imagine the small grin on her face from his actions.
"Yes, I did," He ignored his conscience again. Koby grinned in the dark, and could almost feel her breath on him. It felt all too much like the dream he had, and for a moment, he was scared he wasn't in reality. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again to more darkness.
Koby thought he must be dreaming again. It was surreal, for Rayna, the girl he so desperately tried for for months had suddenly come to him asking him for another chance. He was shocked, frozen to the spot beneath his feet. His fingers stopping massaging hers, and he let her hands drop. This is what you wanted, why aren't you doing anything! His conscious was not happy.
"Rayna," His voice was uneven, choked. "Rayna, I don't know what to say..." He lied. He knew exactly what to say. His hands picked up her fingers again, and he played with them nervously as she now stood paralyzed, probably feeling as if she was about to face rejection. "Rayna, we've gone through everything together. When I met you at the sorority at the party, and I told you how goregous you looked, you didn't believe me. But it was true. Then, I came back over and I played you, and you broke down about your dad..." Koby began to run his mouth, babbling. Rayna was patiently waiting. "Then Jake happened. I waited for so long, for almost eight months for you two to call it quits, because I knew you two weren't right together. I waited for you, and every moment I knew you were with him, I hated myself more and more for screwing you over. But then you screwed me over," His voice dropped low. He then entwined their hands and stepped a little closer to her. Rayna could feel the tension rising, not sure whether she had made a mistake by openning up. "Then, you and Jake had a fight, and you told me after everything, you two weren't together, you lied," Koby didn't know where he was going with this, but he soon realised everything, "But you came back, you lost Jake, but you came back not because I was your second option, but..." Koby didn't know what to say.
"Because I knew it was right," Rayna finished his sentence. Koby nodded his head in the darkness. Everything was so much more easier to say into the darkness.
"Because you knew it was right. Rayna, I love holding you in my arms. The way your body fits into mine, the way your lips feel again my own, the way our hands fit perfectly, Koby squeezed her hand, making a point. He suddenly felt light headed, his eyes filling with moisture. "You're perfect, Rayna, and I've never felt like this before... I'm scared, and, I don't want to lose you again, " He whispered. "I should be the one asking you for another chance," He said, sighing. "I haven't stopped thinking about you, about us, about what we could have been like," His voice was turning into water, flowing rapidly, trying to get to the point. He was just speaking his thoughts now. He could feel her eyes on him, trying to study him through the dark. Her hands gripped tighter onto his own.
Koby stepped forward closer again, until their lips were almost touching. "I can be what you want me to be, I can protect you, look after you... I want to be your everything, as you are mine," Koby whispered against her lips."Rayna, I love you," He whispered confidently. The one thing he felt ever so confident about, and it was about this girl.
"You can kiss me now." She said as she almost began to cry tears of joy. Everything she wanted, was now in her hands.
For once, Koby fell asleep happy and sure of himself and what he wanted. And what he wanted, he got in his arms. It felt perfect, right. Everything he wanted was right there, and he wasn't ever going to let it go. Nothing had ever been so sure in his life before, until that moment. He knew it would be one hell of a story to tell, and he was hoping for his dear life that it wasn't some silly dream he'd wake up and realize later. He thought he might tell Rayna about it sometime, but he wished that he could spend the rest of his life with her. It made him think about his future, and his age and how ready he would soon be for the next step. But he knew it all depended on Rayna, and for her, he was ready to wait. He was prepared to give up his life to prove to this girl how much she truly meant to him, to prove to her how much he loves her.
Rayna was now vulnerable, half naked in bed. But she enjoyed it, because she felt safe. His arms were strong, as usual, and he was so warm. She knew Koby was the one for her, he always felt right. She had imagined that night, before going to see him, her life without him. If he suddenly vanished and never returned. She would have died. Crying all day and returning to Jake, who would treat her wrong in so many ways. With Koby little rubbing her arms with his thumb, she could feel how much he loved her. In every little thing he did, she knew he loved her. And she had begun to realize, she loved him too. With him spooning her, so close, she felt his every breath. Rayna was beginning to fall into a deep slumber, "Koby," She said soft and out of breath. "I love you too."