Chapter 15

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"So have you had sex?"

I choked on the Manchurian I was eating and Josh spat out the apple juice he was causally sipping. "What the eff mom?" he hissed, wiping his chin.

Mom shrugged, looking at us with amusement. "Just a curious question."

I was still struggling to swallow the Manchurian ball as Josh offered me a glass of water, his eyes narrowed at mom.

"Don't ask her such questions when I am there." My brother ordered, scowling at her.

Mom grinned mischievously, pointing her fork at Josh. "So have you had sex?"

I mildly refrained from choking again. "Mom!" I hissed, a few tears leaving my eyes due to my food's miscarriage.

Josh banged his head on the table and I desperately wanted to copy his actions. "Can you not mom?"

"Can I what not Josh?" Mom sassed.

"Mom seriously?" I gave her a flat look.

Mom laughed, her shoulders shaking. "It was a genuine question though. With Kevin, I knew you wouldn't go that far but Colton I think you might."

"And why is that?" I inquired curiously. It should be the opposite, at least with Kevin it wasn't fake, I can't say the same with Colton. It's just a deal.

Mom shrugged. "I see the way you look at Colton."

My eyebrows furrowed with extreme confusion. "What way?"

"The 'I-am-so-in-love-with-you-that-I-put-Disney-romance-to-shame.' Josh muttered, wrinkling his nose. "It's nauseating."

My jaw dropped in horror. "I do not!"

"You do!" he insisted.

I dropped my fork on my plate. "I do not."

He copied my actions. "You do."

"I do not. That's just plain stupid okay. I am not in love with him."

"Liar liar pants of fire." Josh sang, bobbing his head.

I gritted my teeth. "Clearly my pants aren't on fire."

"Okay enough eat the noodles." Mom snapped, giving us a disapproving look. She hated fighting on the dining table.

I scowled at her, angry as she was the one who started this topic in the first place. "Really? I was going to drink the noodles."

Mom smiled sweetly, not appreciative of my sarcastic tone. "Would like some juice to mix them in then?"

"No thanks, soda will do."

"Eat."

After ten minutes of me scrapping my plate with the fork angrily, Josh subtly singing 'Liar liar pants on fire' every ten seconds and mom letting out frustrated sighs every now and then, I swallowed the last Manchurian ball and got up to dunk my plate in the sink. It was Josh's turn to wash, there was no way I was helping him after what just happened.

Just as I turned to go to the bed, mom's amused voice stopped me. "You never answered that question."

I groaned in aggravation. "Yes mom I did, with handcuffs and all that, complete 50 shades style. Now goodnight."

I sank into my bed, throwing the pillow Josh had gifted me on the floor. That idiot, I didn't even like Colton, love was too farfetched. And my dear mother, asking such rubbish questions.

Sighing I leaned on the headrest, going through all my social networking sites and feeling worse as I saw ridiculously romantic couples proclaiming their love to the world. Wait till you guys break up, I thought sourly, see how difficult it would be to move on with so many pics of you two playing tongue tango.

I almost had a heart attack when my cell suddenly vibrated and I read the text.

Blackmailer- 'We had 50 shades style sex? When? I think I would have remembered such a pleasant memory.'

I stared at the text in shock. I ran and opened the door, "Joseph you are such an asshole. Wait till I get back at you for this!" I screamed and banged the door shut when I heard his cackling laughter.

Pressing my fingers to my forehead, I wondered what to reply. 'I didn't mean that, mom kept asking me and I said that in frustration.'

Blackmailer- 'Babe if you wanted me, you just had to say that. I don't mind your idea of us having sex at all. ;);) Plus 50 shades style... Ah, so much fun! xx'

I blushed 50 shades of red. How can he be so casual about it? Oh yeah probably because he's done all that. I scowled at the thought.

Me- 'I'd rather have sex with a rabid dog than you.'

Blackmailer- 'I can arrange that. Would you like the handcuffs too?'

I rolled my eyes. 'I don't need your help.'

It took two long impatient minutes for his text to come and in that time I realized I had checked my phone five times. Talk about being clingy.

Blackmailer- 'If you had sex with Kevin then it wouldn't be much different with a rabid dog.'

I groaned at the text. 'Is it necessary for Kevin to come in every conversation we have?'

Blackmailer- 'Nope. I was just stating the fact.'

Me- 'It would be different, I know.'

Blackmailer- 'So you have had sex with him? Cool.'

I chuckled at the jealous dripping from his text. 'No, I haven't. Did you have sex with Monica?'

It took two long minutes for his reply and I grew antsy with every passing second.

Blackmailer- 'Do I have to answer that?'

I twisted my lips, that question gave me all the answers I needed. I shrugged off the pang in my chest as the effects of eating too much junk. 'No, I got the answer.'

Blackmailer- 'It didn't mean anything.'

I could feel my eyes touching my brains. 'Yeah sure.'

Blackmailer- 'She was good and all but the feeling wasn't there, you know love types.'

Me- 'I get it, maybe I should have had sex with Kevin, at least we loved each other.' I frowned as I tapped on send, maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Blackmailer- 'K.'

I bit my lip, staring at the letter. He was angry that was clear but I thought only girls replied with K. maybe I should have said K when he admitted doing it with that Queen Bitch. Never had just a single letter affected me so much. It took me two minutes and 38 seconds to finally reply to him.

Me- 'L.'

Blackmailer- 'Funny.'

Me- 'I thought so too.'

Blackmailer- 'Maybe you can fulfill your wish after two months.'

I gulped reading his text, that's right, our deal was just for three months and one month had already passed by. I wondered if we would even remain friends after the next two months, probably not. He must be regretting even making the deal with me. But I, in a weird twisted sense of the way, liked his company.

The way he made me laugh and smile, his cheesy pick-up lines, his raised eyebrow when he found something amusing, his indiscreet winks that made me blush, his jealousy and hard glares whenever a guy stared at me, his loyalty to his friends, just him in general.

I blinked, did I like Colton Hastings? I pondered over the thought for seven seconds before bursting into a full-blown laughing fit. Yeah like that would ever happen!

Rolling my eyes and still chuckling at the thought I just had, I typed a reply. 'Maybe I will, goodnight.'

Blackmailer- 'Gn.'

Great, stay pissed. Like I care. I snorted mentally.

At 1 am I was still awake surfing through Instagram and stalking and drooling over all anonymous hot guys who will never know I exist. Yeah, my life is awesome!

After another 15 minutes of wishing Nick Bateman was my boyfriend, I switched over to stalking a friend on Facebook. I screamed in delight when my phone vibrated and Nathan texted on Whatsapp. 'Hey, awake?'

'Yep.' I instantly replied.

After two minutes I was added into a group by Nathan. 'Rodrigo case'.

Blackmailer- 'You had to make the group at 1.20, seriously?'

I frowned at Colton's message in the group. So he was awake but couldn't text me, fine suit yourself.

Blackmailer- 'And Drew is added, why?'

Drew- 'Nathan told me, don't leave me out of the loop you pink Ursula.'

Me- 'I am going to tell Simone too.' I sent, feeling guilty to leave her out.

Drew- 'And Ira.'

I rolled my eyes.

Nathan- 'And Eva.'

Me- 'Tell them yourselves.'

Blackmailer- 'Don't tell your Kevin.'

The urge to jump through my phone into his room and smack him with a huge encyclopedia was patent. 'I won't and he's not mine and doesn't tell me what not to do.'

Drew- 'Did you two fight? Again? *unamused face*'

Me- 'Why don't you ask your best friend?'

Blackmailer- 'She said she wanted to have sex with Kevin.'

I was just typing a retort when my brother replied.

Unfortunate blood- 'What the hell dude! I am here too.'

Me- 'Go to sleep Josh!'

Unfortunate blood- 'Look who's talking. *smirking face*'

Me- '*unamused face* I am working on a project.'

Drew- 'Hey we have a project???? Which??? Why don't I know anything about it???? I hate you guys!!!!'

I slapped my forehead.

Nathan- '*5 Teary laughs* you are so dumb Drew drops'

Drew- 'Oh! Now I get it. *weary face*. Yes Josh we have a project, go to sleep.'

Me- 'You are such an idiot!'

Unfortunate blood- 'Even I have a project.'

I snorted. 'And since when do you do it? You always get it completed from someone else. *unamused face*' That was one of my favorite emoji's, probably because it irritated everyone.

Blackmailer- 'Same here. *hi-fi*'

I scowled at his reply. 'Don't encourage him, Hastings.'

Unfortunate blood- '*Hi-fi*'

Blackmailer- 'Whatever Smith.'

Nathan- 'Anyways I found out the name of the woman living in Raul's house, want to know?'

Me-'No, tell us when the case is over.'

Blackmailer- 'Duh!'

Drew- 'He'll yeah dude!'

Drew- 'Oops! Autocorrect, he'll.'

Drew- 'Ugh! HELL.'

I rolled my eyes. 'We get it genius.'

Nathan- 'Natalie Acker, Nick's ex's best friend. She had told me she'd take revenge for breaking up or something. Interesting huh?'

Me-'How do you even find out such stuff?'

Nathan- 'My dad, people speak a lot while getting their face plastered. And mom loves to gossip, she has that aura where people come and automatically confide in her.'

I blew a soft whistle. 'I wish I had that aura.'

Blackmailer- 'Yeah right, your aura makes people want to cringe and run away to the Himalayas.'

I gritted my teeth. 'Your aura makes people want to kill themselves for even meeting a person like you.'

Blackmailer- 'Yeah meeting me must lower their self-esteem.'

Me- 'I doubt you will be able to enter the school gate tomorrow with an ego as big as that.'

Blackmailer- 'If you can then I definitely can.'

Nathan- 'Guys seriously? I wouldn't be surprised if you two are already married.'

I snorted just at the thought. I would be surprised if we even started dating for real.

Drew- 'I would be.'

Blackmailer- 'She isn't my type.'

Scowling at his declaration, I replied. 'Of course not, I am not a blonde bimbo with fake boobs and minus ten IQ.'

Blackmailer- 'Yeah you are a brunette bimbo with small boobs and zero IQ.'

I bit my lip from wailing in desperation. It's another thing being called dumb and stupid, it's completely different being taunted on physical appearance and I definitely didn't appreciate it from my boyfriend, fake wasn't a good enough excuse. 'I bet they are bigger than your d!ck.'

Drew- 'Shit just got serious! Brb getting some popcorn!'

I rolled my eyes and exited WhatsApp. I didn't need to see his next retort which would probably be something along the lines of 'Want to see it?' or 'Why don't you ask Monica?' I ignored the vibrating of incoming replies and exited my room. I really needed some Nutella and ice cream right now.

Just as I was pouring a spoonful of Nutella over caramel ice cream, I heard my brother enter the kitchen. I groaned mentally, wondering how I could forget he was in the group too and must have read the whole dispute.

"Hey, sis." He greeted, sitting on the chair.

I exhaled, turning to face him. Just as I turned I saw the flash directed on my face. I squinted my eyes, turning away. "What the hell Josh?"

"They wanted to know what you were doing." He shrugged casually.

"Great." I hissed, fuming as I went upstairs.

"I called and shouted at him." Josh spoke and closed his door.

I grinned despite everything. As much as I hated the idiot of a brother I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. I took a bite of the delicious ice cream, well maybe I would trade him for an unlimited supply of ice cream and Nutella.

I stared at my notifications that came during the 5 minutes I had gone downstairs. 13 group messages, 3 messages from Blackmailer, 2 messages from Nathan, 11 messages from Drew.

I exhaled and opened Nathan's texts first. 'Hey, he didn't mean it.' , 'You there? You know how much of a jerk he can be, don't sweat it. Reply asap. *Flying kiss.*'

I hastily typed a reply. 'I know, chuck it. Thanks *Flying kiss.*'

Next, I opened Drew's texts and couldn't help but laugh.

Drew- 'Hey Rachhhh?? My best friend's an asshole, dump him.'

'BTW!! I think you might be right about him having a small D!'

'R'

'A'

'H'

'*C'

'H'

'E'

'A'

'L'

Drew- 'Wtf! I want that ice cream! Don't you dare eat it alone!'

Still chuckling I quickly replied. 'I am going to eat it alone. Yum yum *Heart eyes* and don't get my name wrong the next time.'

I debated on opening Colton's texts first but then changed my mind. I opened the group messages. They were all asking where I was and then a pic of me in my 'Mornings aren't my cup of coffee' t-shirt and half a face with the ice cream plate in hand, thanks to Josh.

Nathan seemed the only sensible and sweet person in their group. Adrian was silent, always in his own world. Drew was always mocking and joking around. And Colton was well- Colton, a complete asshole with the highest score.

Finally, I opened Colton's messages. 'Hey? I didn't mean it.'

Blackmailer- 'Smith? Racheal? Sorry.'

Blackmailer- 'Are you going to ignore me?'

I stared at his last text. The idea sounded extremely appealing. 'Yes.'

It took barely three seconds for his reply as he was already online. I vaguely wondered with whom he was chatting at 2 am.

Blackmailer- 'Seriously? I said I am sorry.'

Me - 'And what do I do of it? Make milkshake?'

Blackmailer- 'Ugh! Not this again.'

Me- 'What not again?'

I opened Drew's reply. 'I hate you! Anyways I am talking to Ira. *one-eyed ghost* so buh-bye.'

Raising a surprised eyebrow, I opened Ira's contact who was indeed online. She hated being online after 1 am, she said it messed up her sleeping schedule and here she was chatting with Drew. Maybe Simone was right about Ira actually liking Drew. I wondered what they were chatting about, maybe I should sneak and check her phone because I am sure she won't tell anything herself.

Blackmailer- 'Sorry - feeling regret or penitence. This is the definition, now go make pickle or milkshake.'

Me- 'I changed my mind. I'll just pour it over my ice cream and eat it.'

Blackmailer- 'So I am forgiven?'

I snorted at that. 'Heck no, not by a long shot.'

Just then another group was made by Drew where all 8 of us were added. 'Beach plan.' I frowned at the group name, what plan?

Drew- 'This Saturday, beach trip for one night at my farmhouse. Just the eight of us and Adrian's girlfriend, because she is possessive and won't let him go anywhere without her being there. Who's in?'

I frowned. I didn't even know Adrian had a girlfriend.

Adrian – 'Shut up dude. She's nice.'

Drew- 'Yeah just in bed *Teary laugh*'

Adrian- 'Don't make me change my mind about coming.'

Nathan- 'I am in.'

Ira- 'I and Eva are in too.'

I raised my eyebrows looks like everyone is awake tonight on a Thursday night. I am so glad I was stalking strangers for more than an hour.

Me-'I'll have to ask mom.'

Blackmailer- 'Am in.'

Drew- 'It's an hour drive from here, we leave on Saturday morning and be back by Sunday night. There will be a campfire and we can crash a nearby party if all are in it. Bring your swimming clothes, duh! And that's it, oh and your chargers. I AM NOT SHARING MINE! DO NOT FORGET CHARGERS!'

Blackmailer- 'Nor am I. Last time Nathan broke mine.'

Nathan- 'It was a mistake dude. And I got you a new one.'

Blackmailer- 'Doesn't matter, get your own this time.'

The rest of the twenty minutes we all spent arguing over stupid things on the group – such as which ice cream to order, whose car to take, which blankets to share, and more. Finally feeling a bit sleepy, I replied.

Me-'Ciao tomorrow guys, goodnight.'

Blackmailer- 'Going to sleep?'

I rolled my eyes. Despite chatting in the same group we hadn't talked to each other directly. I was going to make him pay for what he had said, unfortunately, I had no idea on how to do that. 'Nope, going hunting for elephants, wanna join?'

Drew- 'Heck yeah! Meet me in 10.'

Blackmailer- 'Shut up and sleep.'

And then a private text came from Colton, 'Sleeping?'

I rolled my eyes again, barely refraining from using my sarcastic charms. 'Maybe'

Blackmailer- 'Don't.'

And just that one word made my heart stop and stomach churn as caterpillars became butterflies. 'Why?'

Blackmailer- 'Just because.'

Just then Nathan texted in the Rodrigo case group. 'Tomorrow Rach and Colton meet up Natalie and for god's sake don't get into another fight. Find out as much as you can, I'll text the address soon.'

Drew- 'What do I do?'

Nathan- 'Sleep.'

Drew- 'Fantastic!'

I shook my head at Drew's antics. 'Okay, we'll go, provided Colton doesn't act like a douchebag.'

Blackmailer- 'Yeah fine.'

And then he texted on private.

Blackmailer- 'So um sup?'

I pressed my lips together. 'Breathing.'

Blackmailer- 'Great, me too.'

Me- 'Damn I thought you weren't.'

Blackmailer- 'What makes you think I am leaving you so soon?'

I bit my lip, the fact that this is all fake and you barely like me. 'Just thought so.'

Blackmailer- 'Don't strain you pea brains.'

Me- 'Don't start a fight, Hastings, you'll end up saying sorry and I don't want your sorry's.'

It took him a few seconds to reply. 'Fine. You like sleeping?'

Me- 'Who doesn't?'

Blackmailer- 'Yeah, I like it too, we should do it together. *wink*'

I let out a low laugh, 'And he's back!'

Blackmailer- '*wink* did you fall from heaven?'

I rolled my eyes. 'That's an old one.'

Blackmailer- 'Because your face is all messed up. *teary laughs*

Me-'*unamused faces* actually it is messed up because I crawled back from hell.'

Blackmailer- 'I don't ever doubt that. *wink*'

Me- 'I was actually sent here to pick up their leader, you.'

Blackmailer- 'Am I forgiven yet?'

Me- 'NO.'

Blackmailer- 'Let me make it up to you.'

I furrowed my eyebrows. 'How?'

Blackmailer- 'Date? After going to Natalie's place?'

I couldn't move, I couldn't blink, I couldn't breathe. The words floated in front of my eyes. Date! Date! Date! Date! Date! Did Colton Hastings just ask me out on a DATE?

I slowly took a deep breath. 'Are you drunk?'

Blackmailer- 'Well not the kind of answer I was expecting. No, I am not drunk. Seriously, we are dating so, of course, we need to go on a date.'

I weighed my options. Not that I had many. It was a yes or a no. I wanted to go on a date with him, I was curious to know how he would be on a date, where he would take me if he would be a gentleman if he would insist on paying, would he do something special, and most importantly if he would kiss me at the end of the date. But I knew this one date would change everything.

I was afraid I might catch feelings for him once I saw the real him, the one he didn't let anyone see.

Unfortunately, it was late night and brains don't work properly at that time, so against my rational thoughts I ended up replying, 'Okay.'

Blackmailer- 'Okay.'

There was a giddy smile on my face and my heart was beating fast. I was petrified of what might happen on the date, anxious about how this would change the equation between us, happy that he was the one who asked me out, and yet sad that this didn't change the fact that we wouldn't be a couple and maybe even friends after two months.

After a few more minutes I found myself drifting off into a deep slumber where there were roses, candles, pizza, and Netflix. And then entered Colton with a big tub of ice-cream and Nutella. Oh yeah, the date sounded great!

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