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I hung up without responding I was the king of stupid

I woke up in the afternoon with the world’s worst hangover

All ofback to me Well, what I actually remembered, anyway The stench of scotch and sweat filledout of bed, I made my way to the bathroom

The spray of the water fro their stingers intoI stayed under the hot water until an to shrivel

After I had dressed, I poured myself a coffee and slu from for the rest of the day I turned on the television, desperate to keep my mind off the last twenty-four hours Mr Jefferies curled up next to me, oblivious toin never even occurred to er had a job

“Jack, it’s Belle”

I ju on the door Eventually, I stood up and walked over to let her in She was the last person I wanted to see because all I felt when I thought about her was guilt She huggedme over to the sofa

“You look like shit How did your work dinner go?” she asked, kissing me I forced myself to smile

“Okay Work is work, you know? I missed you,” I said honestly She smiled and tucked herself under my arm

“I —I want to tell my parents about us” She spoke confidently, as if she’d been thinking about this for a while She had that much faith in us as a couple that she would risk the support of her family for me And I had fucked her over

“Do you think that’s such a good idea?” was all I said

She shrugged “What is the alternative? I’hteen, the worst they can do is cut me out of their life,” she joked The look on her face told me that was a real possibility

“At least wait until your exa you need now is more distractions” I would tell her about Lisbeth, but not until her exaive me, then at least I wouldn’t have ruined her future

She giggled and lifted herself onto h”

I sue circled around mine