Chapter 3 Cold Realization

[MORNING]

The morning symphony of the sun painted the sky in orange hues, casting a warm glow through the open window and landing on Lalissa's face.

Slowly she opened her eyes, yawning softly as the scent of the room caught her nose.

The smell was different—definitely not her room.

She wanted to sit up when her head banged.

Rubbing her temples, her brows furrowed together as she sat up.

Her eyes darted around the room.

Different color. Different sheets. And the clothes scattered around.

"What happened?" she rubbed her temples as memories of last night flashed in her head.

The final-year party. Lance talking her into drinking, which she agreed to willingly. Then getting tipsy, dancing, and—

Her eyes widened when she remembered the kiss.

Then she told Lance she wanted to use the restroom, which she did. She did her business and came out only to follow a man whom she mistook as Lance.

"I didn't..." The rest of the words hung in her throat as she realized what she had done.

"No, no, no," she muttered, flipping the duvet to the side as she rushed to her clothes.

The sound of a shower running in the bathroom caught her attention as she realized someone was in there.

"Lissa, what have you done?" She quickly put on her clothes.

The shower stopped.

Without bothering to dress fully, she rushed out of the room, using her fingers to arrange her hair.

The bathroom door creaked open, and the man stepped out. A towel hung low on his waist as he dried his hair with another towel.

His eyes caught the bed. Empty.

He lowered his hand as something crossed his mind. Something he couldn't name. Something dark.

The corner of his lips twitched. "She ran away."

[MCKENZIE'S HOUSE]

Lalissa closed the door, bolting it as she rested her back on the door, breathing heavily.

"Where're you coming from?"

She jerked, quickly turning to see her mom, Sara, setting up the dining table.

"And why do you look like a ghost chased you home?"

"Mum, I..." Lalissa cleared her throat, bringing her feet together. "I went to our school's final-year party."

"I knew that," Sara said. "You didn't tell me you were staying overnight."

"Uhm, yeah. I didn't plan to, but you knew Sienna. With her around, I couldn't say no."

Sara narrowed her brows, looking at her daughter.

Lalissa gulped, wondering if her mom bought the lie.

She couldn't possibly tell her mom that she kissed her best friend and gave herself to a total stranger—someone she doesn't even know the name of.

Mom would think she's joined the hookup girls.

"You sure? Because Lance dropped by."

"Lance?" she cut in. "Why?"

"He wanted to know if you're back home. He said you suddenly disappeared from the party." She picked the purse on the table. "He also dropped this, saying you didn't go with it."

"Oh, I'll personally thank him for that." She went and collected the purse from Sara. "I'll go and freshen up."

She had barely taken the third step when Sara's voice cut through her mind, which was racing with countless thoughts.

"Why are you walking like that?"

Lalissa froze, her blood running cold.

Sweat appeared on her hairline, and she could swear her heartbeat was racing up to her ears. Like she'd have a cardiac arrest because of her mom.

Rubbing her palms together, she drew in a long breath before answering.

"I fell on my way here. You said it yourself—that I was running as if I saw a ghost earlier. Yeah, I fell while coming here."

She bit her tongue hard, hating herself for lying while also praying silently that her mom would buy the lie.

She's never lied like this before, and she felt bad, but she doesn't have the courage to tell her mom what happened.

She just can't.

Sara cleared her throat.

"Go and freshen up. Come down for breakfast."

Lalissa exhaled softly before rushing up the stairs, the sound of her flip-flops slapping on the tiles.

Getting to her room, she made sure to lock the door before shutting her eyes.

"What have I done?" she mumbled, opening her eyes.

She reached for her purse and took out her phone.

"Sienna," she mumbled, dialing Sienna's number.

The call went through.

"Hello." Lalissa bit her lips, walking to the bed.

She sat on the edge, rubbing her finger against her skirt.

"Sienna, I'm in deep shit."

"What happened, Lissa?" Sienna asked from the background. "Why do you sound so worried? Where were you? Lance said he couldn't find you all night."

Lalissa sighed. "Can I see you? Now."

"What do you mean can you see me? The door to my house is always open. Anytime."

Lalissa nodded. "I'll be there," she murmured, ending the call.

Releasing a soft sigh, she tossed her phone flatly on the bed.

She set her knees forward and rested her elbows on them.

Running her hand through her hair, she raised her face, hating how messed up her life has become.

Everything still feels like a nightmare—one she'd want to wake up from.

How could she kiss her best friend and have a heated moment with a complete stranger?

She stood. "I really need to see Sienna."

She went into the bathroom, and it took her fifteen minutes to get ready. The situation at hand is more important than her spending the whole day in the bathroom.

Picking up her phone, she rushed out of the room.

Sara was already sitting, phone in her hand as she smiled at the screen.

Lalissa walked past her.

"Sweetheart, where're you going?" Sara asked. "You just got back."

Lalissa drew in a long, frustrating breath.

If only her mom could stop asking questions.

"Mom, I'm going to see Sienna," Lalissa faced her. "We have some school stuff to round off."

"But you just got back," Sara said. "Come and have your breakfast."

Lalissa's face fell as she made a pitiful expression. "Please, Mom. It's really important."

Sara hesitated for a while before nodding her head in approval.

"Fine," she said. "I'll soon leave for the company anyway."

"Thanks, you're the best." Lalissa smiled, running to the door.

"That reminds me," Sara's voice brought Lalissa to a halt. "Be back home before seven. We're going to have dinner at your soon-to-be stepfather's house."

"What!"