The Haunted s Kiss of Regret and Repentance

"One more drink. Come on, you can't be that weak." I said to my friend as I downed another shot of alcohol from my own glass. "I'll drink that if you say pass, but I'd call you weak for the rest of the year." I watched my friend sway out of drunkenness.

"You know your father would shoot you dead on the spot if he sees you drunk, Shyne. He'll never forgive his perfect daughter if he finds her messing around with us." My classmate said as he slyly tried to grope one of my best friends, who was a little too drunk for my liking.

"Keep your hands to yourself, KP. I'll break that faster than you can drink that shot." I said in a playful yet warning tone. He reluctantly removed his hand from my friend's thigh and fixed his own school uniform.

We finished drinking just enough to make us tipsy but not yet drunk enough to pass out. We still had exams in an hour, and we had to make sure we were presentable enough to not get caught. Going to school and taking exams drunk for me was easy. The problem was making sure my stupid friends didn't make it obvious. They had peas for brains whenever they were intoxicated.

I finished the test as fast as I could to go straight to my boyfriend's house. I didn't love the guy, but he was a good trial run to try all the firsts I wanted. I didn't want to show him to anyone because he was definitely NOT my type.

Being with Rian was stupid, but I'd rather be foolish and free than be stuck at home with people who don't understand me. All the money and awards will never be enough for me. I was looking for love, a home, and a place where I could be myself.

I knew wild activities were not what I would consider as my authentic self either. However, I dug my own grave in this pretend life I'm living, and I have no way out.

"What are you thinking?" Rian says as he covers me with the blanket. "You're looking into space again. Don't tell me you're too drunk to even feel anything." He said playfully while hugging me.

"You look like a psychopath with that mustache, so I guess that's distracting me," I said as I playfully hugged him back. "But no worries, hon, I won't call the cops on you for looking like a psychopath. I'd be in trouble too 'cause they'll see me with you." We just laughed and enjoyed ourselves for a few hours until I was decent enough to go home.