^Cold- Post Malone
Fall

"Don't let one mistake ruin something beautiful." ~Unknown

I looked up at the sound of the door opening, hurriedly wiping away my tears. Bethany was pale, clearly afraid for me.

Heck, I was terrified.

After all that woman had done to me, I still ended up making her mistakes and following her footsteps. After years of wishing it had been different, I only did the same.

I was stupid, he and I both were. But there was no changing that now.

"What does it say?" Bethany asked gently, however it was clear in her voice that she already knew.

I couldn't help but touch my stomach as I whispered, "Positive."
___________________________
Previously|Summer Week 3

"The tans will fade but the memories will last forever." ~Unknown

Sometimes in life, you just have to say yes. So, when Maddy and Bethany showed up with Candice driving one Friday night- a night in which my parents were away for the weekend to be exact -telling me to hop in and lock up the house, I decided what the hell.

Turns out, Candice was surprised by her fiancé with Glastonbury Festival tickets (he's rich). When I discovered this, I squealed in excitement. I'd always wanted to go, who in the UK hadn't?

As it was so late, we ended up staying in a Premier Inn for the night. I, of course, lied to my parents over the phone with little shame, assured with the fact that they'd be in London until Monday morning.

Why I lied?

Firstly, they would want to be at a quick driving distance to ensure my safety. Secondly, Bethany's older sister had a record of being reckless, despite nearing twenty-five. And lastly, no matter how old I am, they still see me as a child.

The next morning, we were up early. Maddy, the night before, had told me to bring money and nothing else. I hadn't understood this until we made a detour to an on route mall on the Saturday. In that moment, I was thankful for David and his damned shop for paying me upfront.

Honestly, you would have thought we were going to Bloody Coachella. The weather, thankfully, was in our favour and promised good weather. For this reason, we practically bought the mall out of cute clothes with frills, patterns and and all the things that made a festival.

You'd think we were staying a whole month, not two days.

So we arrived, each carrying at least four shopping bags, practically shaking from excitement as we were showed to our own privately bought Tipi.

"This is so cute!" Maddy gushed as we walked through. "I wish Tilly could have come."

My thoughts exactly.

So we dressed into our new outfits and the night began.

Catherine.

Maddy.

Bethany.

Candice.

                                   ••
Alcohol tasted pretty damn good at a festival. Fully aware of how disappointed my parents would be if they found out, I took the beverage without a second thought.

Maddy, on the other hand, had drank before. As well as Candice, of course, who had convinced Bethany to join in. If I hadn't done at least one thing this summer I'd later regret, was it a summer worth remembering?

With that thought on my mind, I let the alcohol animate my body and danced through the haze.

                                  ••

I dreamt of music so loud I couldn't think. I dreamt of figures with blurred faces, their laughter and joy filling the air. I dreamt of my friends, each in the same state as me, dancing and singing until they dropped from exhaustion. I dreamt of fingers finding mine through the haze, of a warmth that enveloped me, that loved me- then nothing.
___________________________
The Next Day

"A million feelings. A thousand thoughts. A hundred memories. One person." ~Unknown.

My head hurt.

My whole body hurt.

I rubbed my temples-

I was becoming dizzy. I went to go sit down.

I squeezed my eyes against the hazy memory.

Bethany was on the phone. I don't know who she is talking to.

I couldn't open my eyes. I felt as though my skull would split if I did.

Maddy and Candice are screaming to the music.

I want to sit up, however my limbs feel numb so I don't.

I sit with my head in my hands, willing myself not to throw up. Out of nowhere, a bottle of water is handed to me.

My heart begins to race, although I cannot place why.

I take the water bottle without seeing who gave it to me. My focus is on Bethany. Is she talking to-?

I sudden feeling of anticipation washes over me as the memories meld into one.

Mitch takes Bethany's hand. Why is he here? Bethany, surprisingly, looks happy to see him and pulls him in for a tight hug. I can tell by the beer in Mitch's free hand that he's also intoxicated.
Meanwhile, I take large mouthfuls of the water, delighting in its coolness.

"Keep drinking, Kate. It will help."

I do as Romain says. In that moment, I couldn't remember why I was mad at him.

"We kissed." I managed to say. It had been over an hour now since I last drank, therefore my speech was improved. My sense on the other hand-

Romain said nothing. I looked up at him. "Why do you look sad?"

He did look sad. Very much so. I could see it in his blue eyes, beautiful as always.

"Because I'm a tool." He said, taking the now empty water bottle and replacing it with another. "Because I treated you like shit. Because I'm drunk and all I want to do is kiss you again."

I found myself shrugging. "Then why don't you?"

Romain smiled sadly. "You're not the girl."

I frowned.

"You're not the girl one kisses when drunk then forgets. You're much more than that." He said. "Keep sipping."

I took more sips and yawned, "I'm tired."

"I'm not surprised." Romain said, taking my hand and pulling me up. "When Bethany called she sounded drunker than you. I can't imagine she's ever had more than what the church provides."

"Neither have I." I found myself admitting. We began to walk, hand in hand until we reached a self brought tent.

"I've got my own." Romain told me. "I can't stand Mitch's snoring and can't afford a Tipi."

I laughed, walking in before him to find a double blow up mattress, blanket and rucksack. I turned and asked teasingly, "Expecting company?"

Romain shook his head. "Only blow up mattress I had."

I yawned again as I took a seat on the mattress. "It's freezing in here."

Romain opened the rucksack and produced another water bottle which he handed to me. "Here." He then proceeded to pull the blanket over my shoulders.

"You're kind." I whispered.

Romain chuckled without humour. "Am I? Because I didn't act like it at prom."

I didn't want to think about prom. I didn't want to let myself remember. I was too focused on now.

"Why me?" I'd asked the question before, however felt I had to again. Although it had only been two weeks, I felt as though we were starting all over again.

Romain looked beautiful in the dim torch light. "You scare me."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I'd never thought to notice you before, but when I did, it was like looking straight into the sun. We are polar opposites, yet you befriended me, even if it was against your will. You wanted to help me, even if I didn't deserve it. Then at prom, after how I treated you, you never once yelled. Any other girl would lose her damned mind, but you kept quiet. In all the ways that counted, it made me feel so much worse about the situation. When I saw how much I'd hurt you, I thought it best to shut myself out of your life. Then, when I saw you alone tonight clearly vulnerable, I couldn't help myself."

I was at a lost for words. Feeling ridiculous just sipping from the water bottle, I put it down.

"You're different." He said quietly, what sounded like pain in his words. "I can't just walk away."

"Then don't." I found myself saying.

Something lethal sparked in his blue eyes. Romain bent to his knees and placed a hand on the back of my neck. I felt my heart thumping wildly as his lips grazed mine, just a small taste. It was killing me.

Persuaded by the alcohol, I made the first move and kissed him. It was fiery and passionate, nothing sloppy about it. Romain's hands travelled down to my hips as he pushed me down onto the mattress. I found myself wrapping my legs around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer.

Kissing him was driving my body wild. I wanted more of him.

I gasped when Romain lifted his shirt off, revealing a very generous body. I blushed as he looked down at me, legs still wrapped around his waist, gasping for air. It was then that we both remembered I was wearing a dress, one that had now fallen to my stomach.

Seeing the question in his face I whispered, "I want to." as I traced my fingers over his face.

Before I knew it, clothes were off and there was nothing more to separate Romain and I.

••

I sat up so fast I felt the sudden urge to vomit. At this point, my heart was thumping so hard I was struggling to breathe.

No way did that happen-

I bite back a scream when I feel something touch my leg. I look down to see a passed out Romain laying on his stomach, black curls covering his sleeping eyes as he snores softly.

A naked Romain, I will not forget to mention.

"Christ!" I cursed, tugging at my roots. I was most definitely hung over.

I hadn't realised I'd yelled until Romain began to stir. "Enculer." He murmured.

"Wake up." I hissed, hitting his back. I was horrified to see red scratches.

Jesus bloody Christ-

"Catherine?" Romain mumbled as he lifted his head, his voice heavy from sleep. "Did you sneak into my house?"

"No, you idiot." I said, standing. "We're at the festival. We- We had sex!"

Romain sat up then. To my horror, his eyes widened to see my naked state.

I blushed so brightly my face felt as though it was on fire. On first instinct, I pulled up the blanket to cover myself, only to end up exposing Romain.

I looked away quickly.

Romain, annoyingly, chuckled. "Don't act as though you haven't seen it all."

I rolled my eyes, fiercely trying to ignore how sexy his accent sounded in the morning.

"I don't remember." I lied.

I could hear shuffling. Romain was most likely changing as he said, "I certainly do. You know, I've never seen a birthmark on a-"

"Shut up." I hissed. "Are you decent?"

"As decent as I can be after last night." Was his obnoxious comment.

"Then turn around whilst I change." I snapped. To my surprise, he did as I asked. Giving me time to gather all of my clothes and quickly throw them on.

I had just pulled on my dress when I felt hands on my waist and lips on my neck. "Come on Kate..."

His hands were on my body. I felt amazing. I couldn't get enough.

I squeezed my eyes against the sudden memory. I turned around and looked up into Romain's eyes, darker than I remembered.

"This wasn't meant to happen." I said quietly, our eyes locked.

Romain shook his head slowly. "I don't believe that."

I took his hands and he squeezed mine. "This is not how I pictured my first time."

Perhaps that was a strange thing to say to the beautiful boy who took your virginity. But Romain and I were friends before we were anything else.

Romain wet his bottom lip. They were a brighter pink than usual, most likely my fault. After a moment of silence, he bent those flushed lips to my ear and whispered, "The alcohol may have swayed this night, but trust me when I tell you no matter what, I would have had you eventually."

I shivered. I couldn't help it. "I should go."

Romain's dark curls hung over his face beautifully. I found myself pushing them back as an excuse to feel the softness of them.

"Yes." Was all he said. But not forever, his eyes read.

Against my better judgement, I kissed Romain Porte and he kissed me back. Flashes of that night came back to me in an overwhelming world-wind and at the end of those memories and the kiss, I found I did not regret my decision.

••

When I found our Tipi, I had already realised that it was still early in the morning. Creeping inside, I found all three girls passed out on their cots, most likely none of them had even noticed my absence.

Crawling into my own cot, I closed my eyes and dreamt of France.