Mia
The next morning I wake up early for absolutely no reason. I sigh, looking at the clock on my phone, 6:49 am. The one day I can sleep in and my body doesn't cooperate.
I scroll through social media, pulling up and "liking" the photos friends have posted from last nights party. I chuckle at one of Liam on the floor making a snow angel out of bubbles. I wonder what sort of mess he must have over there this morning and I debate calling Marley to ask if they need help cleaning up.
I'm about to log out when I come across a photo that makes me freeze.
It's a selfie of Kimmy. She's holding the phone out in front of her, smirking flirtatiously. But she's not alone. A boy is laying across her, passed out, and his face is resting, apparently quite comfortably, right on her boobs.
That boy is Cole.
I take a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat. I screen shot the picture and text it to Cole without adding a message. I lay back onto the bed and squeeze my eyes shut. I allow myself to wallow for a few minutes before deciding that laying in bed being miserable isn't going to help anyone. I drag myself out of bed and call Marley to offer to come help clean up.
..
Marley and Liam are also up early cleaning the remaining disaster before his parents come home. When I walk in the door Liam is crawling across the floor with several towels. He looks up at me and dramatically whines "Why do I do this to myself!" He plops down and rolls over onto his back and sighs, soaking his shirt in soap residue. I laugh and grab a towel, calling out to Marley, "Mars! Man down in the kitchen!"
Marley comes in holding a mop. Her hair is in a messy bun on her head and she's wearing Liams shirt over her swimsuit. The sleeves are rolled up and she's cinched it in at the waist using a tie to make it more fitted. If anyone can make hangover look chic, it's Marley.
"Mia! thank god you're here. This is a disaster!" I smirk and nod my head towards Liam whose still lying on the floor. Marley looks over, sighs, and says "Maybe I should join him."
"No!" I laugh, slapping her with my towel. "Liam get up!" We've got work to do.
After the floor is mopped and dried we pass around garbage bags to begin cleaning up the trash. Liam looks over at me and says "Where's Cole, Mia? I figured he would still be with you."
"Yeah" says Marley. "I saw you guys dancing last night, things were getting hot" she fans herself.
I roll my eyes and pull my phone out of my pocket. Still no response from Cole. I open up my photo album to the screen shot I took this morning and hand it to Marley.
"WHAT THE FU—" Marley shouts, interrupted by Liam, who, looking over her shoulder says "oh shit."
"I'm going to kill him!" Marley fumes. She starts pacing across the floor and rants. "That snake! Who does he think he is? Big bad baseball star thinks he can get away with this?! I DON'T THINK SO!" She takes a deep breath in and very seriously says, "Like the Dixie Chicks said, Cole has to die."
"I think it was Earl, actually" I repute.
"Well it should be Cole!"
"Wow, your scary when your mad, babe" Liam pipes in. "It's hot."
Marley stops pacing and turns toward us. "Be serious Liam! This is so so wrong. Mia I am so sorry." Marley leans in and hugs me.
"I'm sure there's a good explanation" Liam adds.
Marley elbows him.
—
After we finish cleaning I head back home to shower. Marley offers to come with and provide moral support but I tell her I'm fine. And I am fine. I haven't cried, but I have this perpetual lump in my stomach that hasn't gone away. In the back of mind I know it's not normal to feel this numb but I brush it off. As I'm leaving I receive a text from Cole: it's not what it looks like.
I don't text back.
He calls me twice while I'm driving but I don't pick up. When I arrive at home I go straight to the shower. I stay under the hot water for a long time, thinking about Cole and Kimmy. Could it actually not be what it looks like? He was obviously passed out drunk, and it is like Kimmy to take advantage of something like that.. My thoughts wander to Nick and the way he looked at me last night when he dropped me off. I should be more concerned about my boyfriend possibly cheating on me but all I can picture are those depthless blue eyes and the secrets they hold. I shake my head. One problem at a time, Mia.
The water runs cold and I turn it off, wrapping myself in a towel before stepping out. I walk into the hall towards my room when the doorbell rings. I turn my head towards the front door and creep over to the side window. I see Cole outside and I quickly back away towards my room. The bell rings again and I hear his voice through the door, "Mia I know you're in there! Let me in. Please!"
Marilee walks out of her room, "Mia! Let that poor boy in!" She walks to the door and unlocks it.
"I'm in a towel!" I whisper shout.
"Oh please honey. I'm sure it's nothing he hasn't seen before. I wasn't born yesterday you know." She opens the door and I stand there frozen. Really?!
Cole rushes through the door and comes towards me, enveloping me in a hug. "Mia. Please. I'm so sorry."
I look over his shoulder at Marilee who is staring at us, wide eyed.
I sigh, "Come talk in my room."
Cole follows me into my room and shuts the door behind him. Before I have a chance to turn around he's picked me up bridal style, setting me on top of his lap on the bed. I squeal and pull my towel tighter. I am naked here!
Cole buries his head in my hair, his arms tight around my waist. His shoulder shake. Is he crying?
"Mia, I can explain" his muffled voice says from my hair. "It's not what it seems." I sigh and climb off his lap. "Can I put some clothes on first?" I grab a tank top and shorts and step into my closet to change without waiting for a response.
When I come out Cole is still sitting on my bed, his head in his hands. He looks up when he hears me, his eyes rimmed red, he says "I was drunk."
"I noticed."
"Shit. Of course you did." He shakes his head, "I have that big game this week and there's so much pressure. I just wanted to forget for one night."
"I understand wanting to forget, I really do. But you left me Cole! And then I see that picture. I mean what am I suppose to think?!"
"I'm sorry Mia! The picture doesn't mean anything. We got tacos and Kimmy was taking me home. I must of fallen asleep leaning on her. I didn't mean for my face to end up..." he glances away and gestures widely, "well you know."
I roll my eyes. Yes I certainly do know.
Cole stands up and walks towards me hesitantly, hands out. "I swear Mia. You're the only one for me. You know that right? I tell you I love you all the time. Most of the time you don't even respond. Do you know how that feels?"
I look down and his hands. My anger is dissolving. Can I really stand here and be angry while I've spent the past week thinking of someone else? I'm not even sure if when I think of Nick that I'm thinking of him romantically. I'm just thinking of him as my past best friend. Like family. Right? I sigh and take Coles hands in mine. He's right, I don't respond when he tells me he loves me. I don't know how.
"I believe you. But I hate that you left me. And I hate that you even put yourself in a situation where that picture could be taken. Kimmy obviously wants you." He opens his mouth to respond but I keep going. "I've been distant from you too, I admit. I've had a lot on my mind and maybe I've been neglecting this relationship."
Cole nods his head slowly. "One more chance Mia? It won't happen again. I'll do better. I swear."
I nod, "We both will."