SLOW BURN

34. get out

NATALIE

It takes me a moment to remember where I am when I open my eyes. I scan the room without moving. It's not familiar. There is sunlight coming in through the windows. And then I remember slowly. Right. Newport. Crystal's party. Rented house.

I'm laying on my stomach so I turn my body and groan. Everything hurts but my head is the worst. How much did I drink? I don't think I've gotten this drunk since college. Why did I think it was a good idea? I turn my head and my heart stops when I realize that I'm not alone.

"Oh my God." I whisper as I look down. Laying next to me is Brad. He's shirtless, only wearing his boxers.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

I jump out of bed in a heartbeat and look down at my body. I'm still wearing my bikini. At least I'm not naked. My mind spins as I try to remember what happened last night. I remember dancing and drinking with Crystal and I remember going into the ocean with her but I can't remember anything past that. I have no idea what I did. I would know if I had sex with someone right? I don't feel like I did but that can be me trying to convince myself that nothing happened.

"Shit." I curse feeling like crying and then I run to the bathroom and reach the toilet just in time to vomit. I feel like shit. I feel sick and dirty and like the worst person in the world. I need to wake Brad up. I need him to tell me that nothing happened. I feel really dirty after I'm done vomiting so I get in the shower. The cold water feels good against my skin but it doesn't make me feel any better when I get out.

I brush my teeth then wrap a towel around my body then walk out of the bathroom. Brad still hasn't moved. I sigh, feeling angry both at him and myself. "Brad!" I say loudly as I cross the room so I can shake him. "Wake up!"

He groans as he opens his eyes partially. "Huh?"

"Wake up!" I repeat.

"What's your problem?" He groans as he begins to

"You are!" I say desperately then look into his eyes.

Before I can ask him what happened last night, there's a knock on the door. I sigh, still holding on to the towel at my side to keep it in place. "Don't go back to sleep." I tell Brad before walking to the door.

I pull it open and my stomach drops when Josh is standing on the other side. Oh no. No. No. I'm frozen and I watch as his eyes meet mine and then they move behind me to the bed where Brad is. I'm naked with a towel wrapped around my body and Brad is in bed practically naked. I know exactly what this looks like. Worst part is that I don't know if this is what it looks like because I can't remember. What the hell did I drink? Why did I drink?

Josh clenches his jaw as his eyes meet mine again. He looks angry but he also looks hurt. I keep hurting him and I hate myself for it. "Josh-it's not-"

"Sorry to interrupt," he says shaking his head. He scoffs then turns around and walks away.

"No, Josh, wait." I call after him but he doesn't stop. He rushes down the stairs and disappears around the corner.

I feel like crying but I know I can't. I go back in the room and glare at Brad. "Why are you here in my room?" I demand angrily.

He sits up and looks at me. "What do you mean? Don't you remember what happened?"

"No." I whisper shaking my head, tears running down my eyes. "Nothing happened."

He frowns as he stands up. "You really don't remember? I'm a little hurt."

"We didn't have sex." I insist. I really don't feel like we did. My body doesn't feel like I had sex with anyone.