I awoke long before the alarm went off, I doubted I even slept at all. I had snuck back in from the party at 2:00am then I couldn't keep my mind off the occurrences there until the next morning, not even realizing that I hadn't turned off my alarm yet and my mom was at my door.
'Meghan. Turn the alarm off if you are awake and get dressed already'.
I finally rose from the bed and stared at the horrid dress hanging next to my dressing mirror. I screamed.
'Why do I have to go through this nightmare?'
'Because it's your sister's dream come through or is it true?' My bestfriend said as she walked into my room.
'How can one's nightmare be another's dream? And how are you here already and not hungover?
'That's life babe. It's fifteen minutes to 10:00am fool and your mother is going to bring hell down on you if you are not ready in the next five minutes. I'm not hungover because unlike someone I know, I did not get my ass drunk last night'.
As she said all these, she pulled me out of bed and pushed me into the bathroom.
I showered and as I scrubbed my body, memories of last night flashed in my head causing me to scrub even harder.
'All that scrubbing will only result in you tearing off your skin'. She said from outside the door.
I rinsed myself and got out. Three minutes left before mom began World War III but I had to apply makeup.
If I was going to be dressed in that dress from the 90s my face should at least represent something from the 21st century so that people watching the photos would know the wedding took place after civilization had occurred.
'Remind me why you get to be sexy while I'm stuck looking like a grandma'. I said as I applied mascara while staring at the brownskinned goddess seated on my bed, in a not so provocative red dress.
'Because you, not me, are the bride's sister and have to do everything to please her'.
We wrestled me into the dress that seemed to have three layers. It was going to be a long, hot day. We descended the stairs just as my mom was forming a scream.
'Oh. Good you are down already. How are you Pokello? My mom asked already hurrying out of the front door.
'I'm good madame Sue.' My bestfriend replied.
My mom hated when Pokello addressed her like that, said 'madame' made her feel old but Pokello did it anyway. It wasn't her being mischievous, she was just so traditional and said calling my mom by her name was disrespectful.
This was surprising to me because she was from a family of badasses but of course my mother didn't know about this, not that she didn't care about the sort of friends I kept but because I asked her to back off and let my friends be. She knew she had five brothers but that's all she knew, that was true at least.
We got into the back seat of my uncle, Sam's SUV. I couldn't bear to ride with the rest of the family and endure all the awkwardness, the day was bad enough without it. Once we got in Pokello turned to me.
'So did you really do it?' She asked.
'Do what?' I said boringly, hoping she'd drop the topic even though I knew she wouldn't.
'You know what. Last night? You and Zayn?'
'I told you girls I did it. You guys don't believe me?'
'Oh they totally believe you but I need more details'.
'After the wedding please. Let's take it one nightmare at a time'.
We were silent for the rest of the short ride. Everyone was at the church entrance when we got there and mom was trying her best to coordinate them.
'Welcome to the worse day of my life'. I whispered but obviously Pokello heard it because she chuckled and said she's got me.
We joined the train and proceeded into the church, luckily, we got seats besides each other. The couple sat in front while the pastor preached.
'What exactly is the point of this preaching? I thought they attended marriage classes'. I whispered to Pokello.
'Well it's their graduation day. Consider it the principal's parting speech'. She whispered back.
My mom shushed us but we continued until it seemed like she was going to walk over and hit our heads together so we started texting.
Everything was going pretty well until the pastor said; 'Malik and June, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride'.
I looked away immediately to avoid the gruesome sight but my eyes fell on something even more horrifying and my breath caught in my throat.
'What's wrong?' Pokello asked, noticing my discomfort.
'Zayn. He's here'.
'What?!' She whisper-screamed but everyone was cheering the kissing couple on so they couldn't hear her.
'What's he doing here?' She asked more calmly.
'I don't know, attending my sister's wedding?' I said
sarcastically. She rolled her eyes.'I know but why?' I shrugged.
'I guess we'll find out later.'
I tried to act normal after that and not stare at Zayn since he hadn't noticed me yet, if he could even recognize me. Dude didn't even know my name.
'I can't believe June actually married that weirdo'. I texted Pokello.
The groom was so weird both in appearance and character, he's so short he's just a few inches past my boobs. He looks like a creature from another planet and the first time we met, I half expected him to speak some alien language that only my sister could understand because of their love and shit, not the fluent English he spoke.
'I, however can. The guy is loaded. Now no matter how reserved and cultured you sister acts, some of us can still see the devious bitch in her'. Pokello texted back and I nodded in agreement.
The church service finished and we piled outside to take pictures. I almost injured myself with all those forced smiles. I went to stand next to Pokello as the couple took shots with the groom's family. My phone beeped.
Best bitch: He's part of the groom's family.
I raised my head to see Zayn posing with the rest of Malik's family and smiling at an old lady beside him. He's smile was nice and for once looked genuine. They took the pictures and started to disperse. I averted my eyes so he wouldn't catch me staring. Another beep.
Best bitch : He's coming!!!
'Bitch you don't have to text me, I'm right beside you. We are no longer in church'.
'Oh right'.
'Excuse me'. A voice I knew too well said behind me. I turned slowly to see him smirking.
'Yes, Zayn?' I said a little maliciously, making his smirk grow wider.
'Of course you know my name'. He said.
'Every high schooler in town does'. Pokello says and I shoot her a look. 'Sorry'. She whispers.
'So is there something you want?'
'Oh I'm sure I got everything last night'. He said and winked. Okay, he obviously remembered me.
'Why are you here then?' I said trying so hard not to be affected by him.
'Well I was told you are my date for the afternoon. You know, youngest sister of the bride and youngest brother of the groom. So if you'd just come with me Mon Cheri, our chariot awaits'. He said bowing slightly towards some black Range Rover.
'What about me?' Pokello whined.
'Sue had you fixed up with one of her family members'. Just then my cousin Newt showed up.
'Great. I get stuck with the chatterbox, kill me now'. She said as they walked away.
'Guess I was right for calling it my worse day'. I whispered or so I thought until I heard Zayn chuckle. I really needed to master the act of whispering.
'Come on Meghan'. Of course he knew the name.
*
LAST NIGHT
Pokello and I had just stepped into the house of one of the jerks, sorry jocks on the football team but I already felt sick to my soles. It was a few minutes past 10:00pm.
'Remind me why I agreed to come to this slum with you. This place smells like June's fiance'. Pokello laughed.
'First, because you love me and second, because we both know how much you love beer burns'.
Okay she got me there. I'm an alcoholic, don't tell my mom I said that. Thirty minutes later, I'd had so many shots, enough to have me passed out on the floor but I'm a champion.
'Okay chugging has gotten boringgg. Let's do something else'. Katie a friend of mine said.
'Truth or dare!' Queenie, my other friend said.
'Just what I want to hear'. So the game began and I was actually enjoying it until;
'Meg, I dare you to ride Zayn Rodriguez tonight'. Katie said'Ohhh!' the other girls booed.
'I can't possibly do that'.'Do it or hand your Lamborghini over for two weeks'. She said with victory in her eyes.
There was no way I was going to hand over my car, my baby, it was dad's last gift to me but still I couldn't sleep with Zayn, the Zayn. God knows how many holes he had entered.
'Hand over the keys, Meg'. Katie said smirking.
'This is just evil Katie'. Pokello said.
'It's part of....'
'I'll do it'. I said
'What?' They said in unison. What? They really thought I was going to hand over my lambo? Sorry hoes.
'I will bed Zayn'.
'Girl he won't even look at you'. Queenie said but I ignored her and started scanning the room for him.
He was seated on a plush cushion, smoking pot with a redhead perched on his laps. I breathed in and walked up to them, I hadn't even noticed his friends and right now I didn't care.
'Hi'. I tried, he looked up at me and went back to smoking like I was some fly not worth attention. The redhead laughed, I turned to her.
'Move'. I said and she laughed even harder but I was in no mood for jokes, my lambo was at stake here so I grabbed her by the hair (I just had something against her hair) and tossed her to the floor. This caught the attention of his friends as they stared in awe.
I placed myself on his lap, turned to see my friends with shocked looks on their faces before I turned back and locked lips with him.
No, don't go there, it was nothing sensual. It was the sort of kiss that said; you know what I want so don't make this a big deal. I broke up the kiss, grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to an empty room, I didn't really have to drag seeing as he didn't even protest or ask any questions.
I don't recall much that happened next because I was drunk as hell but I know one thing for sure; I bedded the bad boy.
We had just settled into the Range Rover and I had never felt more awkward in my life. Here I was, sitting next to a one night stand whose brother wedded my sister a few minutes ago. I always knew something was wrong with that Malik guy. 'Pardon me I totally lost my manners. You look terrific Meghan'. He said with that stupid smirk of his, he was totally mocking me. 'For a bad boy I thought you'd do better with the lines or is this how you behave after you get the cookie?' 'And here I was thinking you wouldn't want to talk about last night'. 'And for once you thought right but only partly because I don't want to talk to you at all'. He was silent for a while. 'For the records, I meant the good part of terrific'. He said calmly but I didn't say anything until we got to the reception venue. As expected, the concept was weird like the couple, I did
'I don't think she was harsh, let's not forget it's the school's baddest boy we are talking about.' Katie was saying. 'The badder the better.' Queenie said, throwing her hands around in exasperation. 'I believe they are MFEO.' 'Phew. Will you guys stop already? I'm just glad the wedding is over and we don't have to deal with each other anymore'. I said 'The wedding is over but the marriage isn't. You guys are family now'. Pokello said and I rolled my eyes. We were seated at the front of Inkwell high school, prison to more than half the teenagers in town. I heard them before I saw them, the bad guy and his goons. What really was bad about him? The dressing? The smokes? The arrogance? Or was it the way he changed girls probably more than he changed his boxers? Or the gang he was rumored to be a part of? Okay maybe now I did see it. 'He's here!' Queenie squealed. He wal
She didn't reply my text, which was expected. Why was I still standing outside her window? Why was I even in this neighborhood?Oh right, some twerp asked me to meet him around here else he'd ruin my life or something along that line. So here I am, not because I'm scared of someone ruining my life, that happened a couple years ago. I just want to know what is making him so confident.I step out from underneath the tree I hid in when Meghan ran up to her window. I look up but her lights are turned off, she must be tired. Why wouldn't she be? How can someone with such a petite body play so much basketball? She's even captain and according to my buddy Jake, freakishly strong.He'd know, she shoved him into the lockers a good number of times after he dumped one of her friends. She's such a mother hen.Okay enough of the sister in-law Zayn, we have more pressing issues.I walked to the end of t
'Mascara anddd... Done!' I said staring at my reflection in the mirror. My door opened to reveal my sister, Gracie.'You look great sis. Black has always been your thing'. She said 'You don't think it's too short to meet June's in-laws?' I asked, dragging the dress which was just above my knees.It's a very simple dress that I love, I don't know why I'm feeling nervous all of a sudden. 'It's fine, it's just dinner. Let's go down, our guests are here already'.I took a deep breath and walked out of my room and down the stairs with her.I see Mr Rodriguez and Stuart, Gracie's boyfriend standing by the bar, of course he'd be here, he's family.From the noise coming from the kitchen, it's obvious the mothers are there. I look to the living room and see Zayn sitting there with his signature smirk on, holding a glass of orange juice? So he did softs.'No way! He didn
My headphone is very rudely pulled out of my ears and I can think of only one person who would do that.I stretch my right hand and grab a pillow snuggling into it to get him pissed off.A bag of cement is thrown on my body and my eyes immediately fly open. Okay, it's just my idiot friend but...'Get your foolish self off me'. I said pushing me. He rolls and lie beside me.'Say sorry'. He demanded 'For what exactly?''I could think of a few reasons. For killing my cat?''That bitch was damn rude'. 'For burning my journal?''It was very depressing, not to mention childish'. 'For cutting my cousin's hair in her sleep?''You know she deserved it'.'For stealing my first girlfriend?''You could do better'.'Okay let's settle for this one; for not calling me for the past twelve hours. I thought does scorpion
I can hear my alarm blaring but I'm too lazy to get up and turn it off. My phone beeps and luckily it's just beside me so I stretch and pick it up.Best bitch: Get your lazy ass out of bed, Meg.I place the phone down and continue staring at the ceiling. Another beep.Best bitch: I mean it Meg, you are my ride to school.Me: You have five brothers who all have sick cars and driving license, use them.Best bitch: The twins are not home, Tyler doesn't get out of bed until 9:00am, I can't ride with Trevor because I'm allergic to silence and Travis is sick.Me: My baby is sick? Okay I'll be there. Be patient and do not blow up my phone. I got into the kitchen after getting ready. Mom had left for the stor
'Maya Moore is better'.'No. Elena Donne is better'. Pokello countered.'What big award has she gotten?''WNBA rookie of the year?''Maya was 3_time Georgia 5A player of the year'.'Elena has been CAA scholar-athlete of the year and she's 6ft5!' 'You are taller than me but I play better'.'No you don't'.'She's captain, Pokello'. Katie butted in.'Ladies! This is a sleepover, we should be talking makeovers, mani/pedis, outfits and boys'. Queenie said'Talking about outfits, Kello, coach wants us to use the blue vests for our opening game next season'. 'Not that sort of outfit!' Queenie screamed and we all paused.My phone rang.'Hey babe'. I said 'Hey tigress'. Travis said from the other end. 'How's the sleepover going?' 'Not fast enough'.'You want me to come kidnap you?''As good as that sounds, I'll rather be here. I can't leave
6:45pm and the house is already crowded with guests and I'm stuck at the door welcoming more of them with June.Usually at gatherings like this mom would carry me around introducing me to all her friends and flaunting me before their eligible daughters but tonight she seems to be herding them away.The Summers arrive and June runs to hug her mom and Gracie while Meg settles for a fist bump, typical Meghan.She looks gorgeous tonight in a skintight black dress that flows to the ground. Black does love her. Her funky hair looks like she had tried to comb it back but gave up, making it disheveled and roughly cute.My mom burst out of the house and gives Sue a hug before doing same to Gracie and Meghan.'Come on Zayn, say hi to our inlaws'. My mom practically screamed for the entire house to hear.I moved from my position at the door and gave Sue a hug accompanied by a ligh
Final chapter 😢I owed June an apology. Maybe she forced me to wear granny’s dress for her wedding but it was better than having to look like an over blossomed sunflower. We even had knee-highs on with some silly looking magicians’ hat. I seemed to be the only one who missed her bubbly pills coz my friends were rocking it with smiling faces.Personally, I think my sisters used their weddings as excuses to embarrass me. Maybe on my day I will make it up to myself by appearing in ripped jeans and Jordans.‘Will you stop frowning? You are making my booze lose its buzz’. Pokello said from beside me, downing her fourth or fifth glass of whatever it is Stuart’s mom had served. She had insisted on having the wedding reception at her house and Sue was more than happy to let her do all the screaming and organizing. She was currently destroying Ma
She still managed to look wild even when beaten down, shot and broken, the girl I love still didn’t back down, she fought to live and conquer and I couldn’t be more smitten.She stirred in her sleep and frowned deeply, she must have been having a bad dream, I knew I would have a ton of them if I had gone through what she had, not that I didn’t have my fair share of nightmares. I guess it’s something we will both have to live with. Things will get better, for her sake, I had to believe they would.Sue placed a hand on my shoulder, she had returned to the room with the doctor shortly after Meghan fell asleep. They said she was okay and that was all I needed to hear.‘Go home Zayn. You’ve been here for over 24hours, you need rest and you stink. It wouldn’t hurt to shave too’. She pulled on a serious tone that just made me laugh.‘What if she
I didn't know what was happening, I'm not sure anything was but I felt light and my head felt like a ball of candy floss. I felt calm, maybe I was going to heaven, it wasn't so bad but my eyes faltered open and when I saw those green orbs blocking my view of everything else I knew there could be heaven on earth and I smiled. He pushed the hair away from my forehead.'Go back to sleep captain, let the morphine work'. Then it was dark again, maybe I was dreaming.I woke up to the annoying sound of things being placed on metal. As my ears adjusted to the harsh light, I scanned the room. White walls, cheap TV, IV fluid, no undies; hospital.My mom stood to my left creating more of that annoying sound by placing more stuff on the small table there.'Mom'. She was a little startled as she turned to caste sunken eyes on me.'Baby. Are you okay?' she sat on the bed an
I didn't know what was happening, I'm not sure anything was but I felt light and my head felt like a ball of candy floss. I felt calm, maybe I was going to heaven, it wasn't so bad but my eyes faltered open and when I saw those green orbs blocking my view of everything else I knew there could be heaven on earth and I smiled. He pushed the hair away from my forehead.'Go back to sleep captain, let the morphine work'. Then it was dark again, maybe I was dreaming.I woke up to the annoying sound of things being placed on metal. As my ears adjusted to the harsh light, I scanned the room. White walls, cheap TV, IV fluid, no undies; hospital.My mom stood to my left creating more of that annoying sound by placing more stuff on the small table there.'Mom'. She was a little startled as she turned to caste sunken eyes on me.'Baby. Are you okay?' she sat on the bed an
'Zayn, I did it. I killed Tyler Harden'. That was all it took to dampen my good mood. I had been avoiding it but I didn't expect Seth to give the job to someone else. I thought I could sort things out without anyone having to die but now I wasn't sure this death was going to be the last.One look at Meghan's face and I hated myself. I knew the connection she shared with the Hardens, she wouldn't take the news well.'Zayn? What's going on?' This was bad I took her hands in mine. 'Meghan...' I wanted to tell her I will fix things. I wanted her to know that I will protect her with everything I have, I wanted to tell her she'd consumed every part of me and I'd do right by her but I settled for an apology for screwing things up.'I'm so sorry'.I dashed off and placed a call to the first number on my call log. He picked on the first ring.'Steve'. I said as I
Pokello was out of the car with lightning speed as soon as we got to her house. I locked the door and rushed in after her into the living room.The sight that greeted me was unusual; all the Harden brothers were gathered in the living room, including Trevor who was smoking joint. Travis sat on the sofa arm with a bottle of whiskey staring off. For the first time, the twins sat rubbing shoulders by the stairs, avoiding eye contact with everyone.It wasn’t until Pokello fell to her knees by the sofa where Tyler was laid that I looked at him. He was still, unnaturally so, like he was holding his breath. His black t-shirt was damp by the chest region and his eyes looked like they had been forced closed. Travis took a swig from the bottle and I followed the movement to his mouth, noticing the red stain on his palm.Pokello began sobbing or maybe she already had and they just got louder, I wasn’t sure. She gripped his torso and moaned i
Comfort. That is what I felt as I walked down the stairs from my room. Gracie and Stuart’s engagement was in full swing and even as she didn’t let me wear jeans and polo, I was grateful to not be stuck in a ball gown.The guests were too many which was typical of Gracie plus Stuart’s family was pretty well known. Mom had been busy planning the whole thing and sieving through caterers, she was so stressed I thought she wouldn’t make it to the actual wedding. Even now she was busy, moving from guest to guest, ensuring they were satisfied.As I got to the foot of the stairs I caught sight of Uncle Sam, a stature like his was impossible to ignore but what piqued my interest was the woman perched on his arm. I don’t know why they think they can go around being all lovey dovey and expect queenie to remain in the dark about it.I looked up the stairs to ensure the girls weren&rsqu
I am crazy. What I was about to do felt right but the timing was off but there is never a perfect time for anything so I tried not to grip the wheel too hard. Travis had said he was home and his car in the garage confirmed it. Inside, Tyler was by the stairs stoning. He smiled at me with an ease that only those plants could provide.‘Hey bro’. He grinned‘You finally lost that last bit of shame you had left? Can’t even take your business to your room’.‘It’s a free world, besides, who would watch the door?’I shook my head and decided to hurry things up so he could concentrate on his highness.‘Where is Travis?’‘The little cub is behind at the court’.I chuckled‘You are lucky I can’t tell him you called him that’.‘Why not?’ He wiggled his brows and I waved him off before walking to the back of the house.Tr
I moved to the left and his fisted hand missed my face once again. For yet another reason, I was thankful for my sleek and graceful nature that allowed me do crazy things like agreeing to be Jake’s sparring partner. He sent another blow towards my nose and I ducked using my leg to swipe him off his feet. He landed on the floor with a thud and just remained there, expressionless.‘This is fun and all but dude you’ve got to find another means of outlet since talking to me is a taboo’. I tried for the zillionth time to get him to open up. He shut his eyes and pulled himself up. ‘Let’s keep going’. He said and got into position. ‘Ehm, no? You might be enjoying this but my nose can only get saved so many times.‘Are you being a pussy right now, Rodriguez?’ He razzed. ‘I’m the pussy? You are the one who runs to the gym