AMNESIA
LAURA
The sun streamed through the car windows as Sam chatted beside me, her voice light and bubbly. I nodded along, offering small smiles where needed, but my mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of last night like a broken record.
Sam glanced at me mid–sentence and frowned. “Okay, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been weird all morning. Is it because – you know…”
I shook my head and plastered on a smile, hoping it looked convincing. “Nothing. Just tired.”
We pulled up to Jess’s house, and I breathed in relief when I saw that neither Josh’s truck nor Luke’s Jeep was in the driveway.
We found Jess in her room, still half asleep.
Sam laughed, holding out a cup. “Ah, she’s alive! And so are her caffeine cravings.”
“You didn’t eat, did you? We had two bottles of champagne!” I scolded her, but she ignored me.
“So, did you do it?” Jess asked Sam who had turned the color of her hair. Biting her lip, she nodded and started giggling.
“I did. I’m done. Box ticked! I am no longer a virgin. Some guy named Kevin now proudly holds my V–card.” Sam said with her
12.24
AMNESIA
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head held high.
I wanted to fade away slowly. I failed. I failed miserably, and the worst part was that I wasn’t drunk enough to at least forget it.
Rejection tasted so much worse the next day.
“What about you?” Sam asked me, so I just shook my head. “He was sweet and all, but we just talked the whole night, and I don’t know…” I chewed on her nails.
“No! Come on! We had a deal!” Sam whined and looked at me. “Tell me you did it?”
I shrugged, sipping my cappuccino. “Sorry, Sam. I tried, but the first guy was too drunk, and the second guy…” I stopped talking immediately.
I stared through her window while Sam filled her in on the evening’s escapades.
“Bummer! What a cockblock,” I joked, and Sam started laughing first.
“Are you seeing the art guy again, at least?” Sam asked, seeming more alive.
Shit. What was I going to say…
Think Laura. Think.
I nodded. “Yeah, we’re going out on Friday. I might need to borrow another one of your niece’s dresses.”
I frowned. “If you like him, he needs to see the real you, Laura.”
AMNESIA
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“I will. Just as soon as he takes my V–card…” I trailed off, staring out the window. “Come on, guys. It’s hot outside. Let’s go be lazy next to the pool.” I left Sam to drag Jess out of bed. I needed to get away before I put my foot in my mouth.
I made my way down the hallway, the hardwood cool beneath. my bare feet. As I adjusted the strap of my baby–blue top, I cursed myself for not wearing a bra. The summer heat made it impossible to layer, and my denim shorts–too short and slightly loose–weren’t helping.
At the top of the stairs, I froze, my stomach plummeting when I heard familiar voices. Josh and Luke.
Shit. Shit.
Pressing my palm to my chest, I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. Josh had been too drunk last night to remember anything, I reassured myself. There was no way he’d bring it up.
I squared my shoulders, chewed my bottom lip, and started down the stairs, keeping my focus ahead. As I reached the bottom, their voices grew clearer
“…man, you were wasted,” Luke said, laughing. “You were practically passed out by the pool.”
“Yeah,” Josh replied, his voice low and even. “Crazy night.”
I stepped into view, and both their heads turned. Luke grinned and waved. “Morning, Laura.”
“Morning,” I said, keeping my voice light.
AMNESIA
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Josh’s gaze lingered a second too long, his expression unreadable. His hair was tousled, and he wore a plain white T- shirt that clung to his chest. My cheeks burned as his eyes dropped briefly to my legs before snapping back up.
I shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of my shorts. “Just grabbing some water,” I mumbled, heading toward the kitchen.
“Laura,” Josh said suddenly, his voice stopping me in my tracks.
I turned halfway, avoiding his eyes. “Yeah?”
“Rough night?” His tone was casual, but something in his smirk made my pulse quicken.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied quickly, hating how shaky my voice sounded. “Too much wine.”
He didn’t respond, just watched me with that same knowing look that made my stomach twist. I hurried into the kitchen, gripping the counter to steady myself.
He doesn’t remember, I told myself firmly. He can’t.
But as I filled a glass with water and glanced toward the living room, Josh’s eyes were still on me, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.
BIT OF BLUR
