The Checklist (Explicit Version)

Chapter 8

"Maybe you didn't mean to, but you did." Twisting my body so I was facing her, I rested my hip to the counter. "There's no way this can be fixed, Valerie."

I sounded so resigned. I'm not sure when, but I think I abandoned my anger about the situation. There wasn't anything I could do, so why would I dwell over it? Even though there was a sting of betrayal every time I recalled seeing them together on the couch, I've started to let it go. But at the same time, things wouldn't be as it used to. I'm still surprised Valerie and Remi thought they could worm themselves out from the situation they made. Was I really that big of a pushover that they thought I'd welcome them back with open arms?

She huffed, her expression twisting in irritation. "It's been over a month. We live together, you can't honestly keep this up."

"You chose to stay, Val."

Hearing my calm tone, she glared. "So, that's it? This is done?"

"I don't know what you want me to say. You slept with my boyfriend." When she opened her mouth, I raised my hand to stop her. "Yeah, I know you guys were drunk. I get it. But... you can't do things and expect there to be no consequence."

"What, so I'm being punished?" Her eyes flared. "Maybe he took advantage of me!"

I gave her a bored look. "Valerie. I saw you guys. You were literally on top of him." She cringed at the memory. "And you said it yourself; you were both drunk. You guys took advantage of each other."

"If you want to be civil, I can be civil." To try to prove my point, I smiled, albeit, tensely. "But we're not friends. After school finishes, we'll probably never see each other again."

For a split second, I saw her eyes shining with unshed tears before she swiftly lowered her gaze to the floor. I hated how much it affected me, despite all that she's done. I hated that I felt bad for hurting her feelings.

There was a short pause before she met my eyes again. But this time, any sadness was gone and replaced with resentment.

"You don't want to be friends? Fine. We won't be friends," she spat before stomping out of the kitchen. I watched in disbelief as she strode to her bedroom before slamming the door behind her.

Slowly, I glanced at the bowl of mac and cheese in my hands. I regretted being in the kitchen now.

───⋅☾ ☽⋅───

Meet me at the bar.

Was I at the right bar? I mean, there were six bars on this street alone. But at the same time, where else would he expect us to meet? This was the bar. Where we met. So he'd show up. Right?

Overthinking was my friend at the moment, so I decided to raise my hand and get the bartenders attention. He was making a drink in front of me, so I quickly asked, "Can I have a double shot of vodka? Your cheapest." I'm used to drinking cheap alcohol. Living near campus forced you to have low standards if you wanted to remain... well, not poor.

He tightly smiled in acknowledgement, and after a few seconds, he handed me a shot. When I told him to open a tab for me, I took the shot with a slight grimace.

I wasn't sure what I expected when I got Myles' text over an hour ago. I haven't heard from him in the last few days, and because I'd been busy with school and the newsletter, I hadn't reached out. So, I was thoroughly surprised when he texted me right after I finished class at six.

Granted, I could have totally come to the bar right after class—it was on my way home, anyways. But in the end, I found myself rushing home and slipping into a short black dress before fixing my wavy hair into a sleek back ponytail.