Gen 4.5 Throbbing and Aching

Brodie’s P.O.V.

My eyes cracked open at the bright stream of light coming in through the window. There was a heaviness in my head that I couldn’t clear. I shook my head but immediately regretted it when an intense, throbbing headache began to form. I winced as the shrill ringing of my phone pierced the quiet, but I felt as if I were moving in slow motion. I gave up on trying to reach the phone in time. I lay back against the pillow, trying to remember what had caused me to feel like this.

~12 hours earlier~

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stick around?” Bethany beckoned in my ear. I shook my head, “That’s sweet, but it’s really going to be me holed up in my room all night, trying to catch some semblance of sleep.” A mischievous grin grew on her face, “You could always spend the night at my place…” I ducked and gave her a soft kiss, “Hon, that’s really tempting, but I have to stay here and make sure this house remains in one piece. I’m sorry. I promise, we’ll have a ‘sleepover’ soon.” She grinned and flung her arms around me once more before disappearing down the driveway. I put my hand on the back of my neck and groaned out loud. I was not looking forward to monitoring the kegger that Ethan was throwing.

I reluctantly walked inside and grabbed some snacks to stash in my room, as well as a few books and my noise cancelling headphones. I lay against the bed, and tried to relax. I only had one more week of school and then I could go home for the holidays. I was really looking forward to introducing Bethany to my parents. Unfortunately, it also meant I had to meet her parents, something I was not looking forward to. A loud thump caused me to remove my headphones and poke my head out of the door. It turned out to be Ethan and another of his ‘jock’ buddies moving the furniture around to make a dance floor. I shuffled past them and ducked into the bathroom, only to stumble into a completely awkward makeout session. I mumbled my apologies before heading back into my room. Ethan burst into the room, “Hey dude, Frank and I are starting a beer pong game. You want in?” I shook my head adamantly, all the while feeling like a petulant four year-old. Ethan came closer, “|what’s your problem, dude? Why are you being so mopey? Ohhhh did your girl break up with you? I’m sorry, man. That’s rough-” I cut him off, “If I play one game of beer pong will you and your buddies leave me alone?” A stupid grin split his face, “Let’s make it interesting, bro. If you beat me at beer pong, you can go back to your room and be a lonely loser, but if I beat you, you have to join us out here for the rest of the party.” Against my better judgment, I heard my self agree.

~3rd person P.O.V.~

A half hour later, Brodie was definitely not in good shape to win. He had only made one shot, compared to Ethan’s four perfect shots. Just as Brodie was about to give up, Ethan declared the last round, “All or nothing!” he yelled over the sound of the music thumping. Brodie gave a determined nod, before steadying his hand. Brodie squinted darkly before slurring, “You’re goin’ downnn, Ethan.” He stumbled a little, before tossing the ball. To everyone’s surprise, it found its way into one of Ethan’s cups. Ethan chugged the beer, before steadying his aim. His ping-pong ball bounced off the rim of one of Brodie’s cups, before landing on the floor. Brodie did a drunken victory dance before walking over to the couch. Unbeknownst to him, Ethan had arranged a surprise for him. Lila Jacobs, made her way through the crowd before comfortably settling on Brodie’s lap. She hooked her arms around his neck, before whispering in his ear, “I’m all yours tonight, baby.” Brodie laughed uncomfortably, his head feeling fuzzier around the edges suddenly, “Ss’okay, darlin. I have a girlfriennnd. Shhhhhe’s amazing.” Lila chuckled softly, “How about we go dance then, sweetheart?” The darkness crept around the edge of his vision as Brodie was led to the makeshift dance floor.

Ethan looked on from the corner of the party, snapping pictures of the two of them, all the while grinning darkly. Soon enough, the drugs would kick in fully, and Bethany would be his.

Lila effortlessly danced with Brodie, while the bass thumped through the house. Lila inwardly wondered how long she would have to be a working girl, while she made her way through college. She was tired of dancing up on rich, white boys who thought they could buy her with a swipe of daddy’s credit card. She grew more angry as the music grew into a furious crescendo. Soon she was angrily grinding in front of Brodie, not even paying him any mind. He was clearly drunk off his ass. Suddenly, the windows reflected the flashing of red and blue lights. Lila cursed under her breath as she snuck off to the bedroom, leaving Brodie and Ethan to deal with the police. Brodie shook his head, and tried to make sense of the fog in his brain. 

He answered the door brightly, “Iss there a problem here, offissser?” The policeman took one look at Brodie and grinned, “Hey, you’re the kid who gave the speech to the captain, aren’t you?” Brodie gave a mock salute, “Yeshhhh.” The officer laughed, “Kid, I really enjoyed hearing your speech, so I’m gonna let you off with a warning, but you better turn down the volume of your party. We’re getting complaints from your neighbors. Brodie stumbled as he shook the officer’s hand. The officer walked down the drive, turning back once before he left, “Hey kid, go easy on the drinking.  You’ve got a promising future ahead of you.” Just like that, the officer drove off as Ethan clapped Brodie on the back, “Way to go, bro. You saved us from the cops. Here, have another shot, it’s on me.” Brodie shook his head, “I think I’m gonna turn in guys, I’m not feeling so good.” Ethan gave him one last pat on the back, “Alright, bro, but let me know if you need anything.”

Once Brodie was out of sight, Ethan turned to find Lila standing next to him, “You still want me to go through with this?” Ethan gave one distinct nod, “I don’t care if you have to tie him down, just do it, and stay in there with him all night.” Lila began to tremble but she would never let Ethan notice, “Isn’t this illegal?” Ethan nodded, “Don’t worry doll, he’s not going to remember a thing in the morning.”

~Ethan’s P.O.V~

I must’ve fallen back asleep, because a sharp knock on the door, brought my eyes open again. I groggily rubbed them, before a movement to my left had me fumbling to get out of bed despite the achiness of my head. I stood up and felt the world swirl around my feet. I held onto the dresser to get a steady balance before assessing the situation. There was a girl in my bed. A naked girl. I chanced a glance down and noticed for the first time that I too was naked. I groaned before laying my head against the dresser, Why can’t I remember anything about last night?I debated over whether to wake her but I instead opted to get dressed. I slipped on a pair of shorts, trying not to hyperventilate. The room eventually stopped swaying and I felt steady enough to walk freely. Another knock on the door startled me out of my musings. I yelled over my shoulder, “Go away, Ethan, I don’t want to see the damage yet.” I heard the door creak open, but a startled gasp made me turn around. I caught Bethany’s horrified stare as she noticed the naked woman on the bed, and the half-naked me standing in front of her. My eyes quickly filled with tears, What have I gotten myself into? I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out, because there was nothing I could say that would fix this situation. She turned and began to walk out of the door, but I gently grasped her arm, “Beth, wait. Please don’t go. I need you right now. I don’t know what happened. It’s not some lame excuse. I really can’t remember anything. Please, you have to believe me. I would never cheat on you.” She avoided my eyes before moving towards the door. I kept a firm but gentle grip on her arm, “Please, Bethany, talk to me. Don’t leave me like this. I need you. Say something please.”

Her voice caught in her throat as she held back tears, “Is th-this why you wouldn’t have sex with me, Brodie? Because you were already ‘getting some’ on the side?” Tears poured down her face as she yanked her arm from my grip and left. I fell to my knees as gut-wrenching sobs poured forth from my soul. Right then and there, I vowed to get to the bottom of last night, if it was the last thing I would do.