Forceful Tangle

From Summer to Spring,

ot after Noah. But here I was, kissing someone who wo

ed, pulling away t

My lips pressed harder against his, giving

pushing me off, h

t's wr

my gaze. "It's just... it's odd for a virgin to k

n disbelief, his words slic

wait for an apology. I opened the car door, slammed it s

still sitting in the car,

e call my number again!" I shouted,

ed under my breath as I walked in,

eftover spices. My parents were cleaning up, the

young lady!" my mother yelled from across

she rushed at me, hitting my shoulder w

issy! Don't you dare pre

oud enough to m

in a bad mood? Why is ever

the table he was wiping and rushed over. He placed a h

honey," my f

puttered, pointing at me like I'd committed a crime.

slamming my door shut. From behind it, I

ng onto my bed. It was ironic-my tem

er. Men often flirted with her at the restaurant, captivate

difference was my ginger hair, courtesy of my father, which seemed to dr

ht. And it end

a message from Laila:

ations. I wasn't in the mood for her curiosity or

room. The house fell silent. I crept out of my room,

w of the restaurant's sign-Laura's Kitchen, it read, in peeling gold letters. My parent

mood further as I walked to

rookedly on the door, bu

familiar voice called out. Laila, wiping

ant me to come in?" I asked

melted into a grin. "Laura! I've be

to the counter and

was the b

aking my head. "I'm r

ng a drink wouldn't do t

get us a drink. "Don't forge

acke

Sur

ts into two small cups as she slid one to me and took hers,

ates." She said wi

owning the shot in one go. The burn w

ded, pouring another. "Did he sta

tion at a t

t started well

sed, pouring more into my glass. Good thi

my hand. "He kissed me, then he... assumed I w

nearly knocking over her

y drink in one gulp,

rong,

ou get this," never

s and poured another round.

is name wiped the

l. I wasn't entirely the person I am today back then. I was the least likel

ne day, he called to tell me not to contact him anymore. Eventually, I learne

him?" I aske

you hear?

e like a punch to

's moved ba

and pouring a generous amount into my gl

maybe yo

him," I snapped, grabbing the

.. Drop t

r, finishing h

give m

bewilderment, as I stood up and alm

ase let me ta

off as I stumbled out and I hailed

, but something felt

ou?" Laila's v

going home,

home here with

rt sank.

leaned toward the driver.

ver said, glancing at me t

I stared out the window, watchi

und myself in front of a dem

into this place-his laugh, his arguments with his parents, the times I

o come back?" I whisp

Lau

reath hitching. That

wly, and there

unreadable, until he closed the distan

his voice tinged with s

as I clung to him. At that mom