Before you go // Jonah Marais

Light shines through the curtains, disturbing my peaceful sleep. My hand stretches out over the bed gripping the soft bedsheets. I sit up abruptly, groaning softly. Pain shoots up into my head. How the hell did I get into bed? Who's bed even is this? I try to recall the memories from last night, but my brain is froggy. I look around for my phone, finding it next to a glass of water and two pills. I know I shouldn't, but I pick up the tablets, placing them on my tongue, washing them down with water.

I look around the big room, finding two doors. One leads to out of the room, the other leads to what I assume is a bathroom. Getting up out of bed, I walk over to the door I assume is a bathroom and open it. A beautiful bright bathroom stands in front of me. Grateful there is a bathroom, I use it to my advantage.

After washing my face, I realise I never left the party last night. I remember coming after an argument with Nathan, I remember drinking with Jack, but the rest is a blur. I manage to navigate my way out of the room and down the hall towards the stairs. I thankfully brought a hair tie to put my hair into a messy bun, making it less like a birds nest.

I slowly walk down the stairs, making sure each step wasn't too loud. The frat house is massive, I wouldn't be surprised if I got lost in here. I hear the sound of people talking as I near the bottom of the stairs. I see two guys sitting on a couch to the left of me.

"Look who it is," one of the guys say.

"Ah, it's the girl who danced drunkenly on a table." The other guy says laughing.

I did what.

"Didn't she do a striptease?" the first guy asks, a smirk on his face.

"She did both, didn't you Peyton?" The second guy responds, looking at me with a smug look.

I stand there frozen, looking at them blankly, trying to remember last night. Bits and pieces come back to me, but nothing that they had mentioned.

"Boys, stop being mean. None of that happened," Jonah speaks up, walking out the kitchen.

A sense of relief washes me. Not just because I know that what they said was not true, but because Jonah is here, standing next to me, coffee in hand. I feel safe. I know he was the one who placed the water and pills next to the bed.

"Peyton, meet Corbyn," he points to the first guy who spoke. His hair is a dark brown, his eyes are a soft, light blue, not your typical blue. "And meet Zach," Jonah points to the second guy. Zach's hair is brown and fluffy. His eyes are a dark brown. They're intriguing.

"Hey," I smile shyly.

"Come, I'll get you some coffee."

Jonah leads the way to the kitchen, which had been cleared of cups and drinks. Jonah grabs a mug from one of the cupboards, making me a coffee. I lean back against the counter, closing my eyes, thinking about last night. What is Nathan going to think when he finds out I didn't get back last night.

"You okay?" Jonah asks, leaning against the other counter.

I sigh, opening my eyes to look at him. "Yeah, I'm okay," I force a smile.

Taking my coffee from his hand, I lean back again, drinking some. Daniel joined Corbyn and Zach downstairs in the living room. They were yelling over something, causing my head to throb slightly. I walk out of the kitchen, over to them.

"Boys, just because you don't have a hangover doesn't mean we all don't have one." I scowl.

"But Zach spammed my phone last night," Daniel whined.

"I don't care, be quiet, you're hurting my head."

Jack walks down the stairs, looking just as much of a mess I am. He had dark sunglasses sitting on his face, and his clothes hung messily over his skin.

"I like her," he mumbles, a small smile on his face.

I smile, shaking my head. Jonah stands at the entrance of the kitchen, watching the scene play out. I walk over to him, my now empty coffee cup in hand, my stomach growls silently. A bang at the door pulls my attention away.

"I'll go get it," He says to all of us, moving past me walking over to the door. " What do you want?" Jonah hissed.

"Where the fuck is my girlfriend?" Nathan's voice rings through the house.

I stiffen, frozen in place. What is he doing here? He's supposed to be giving me the silent treatment. Daniel walks over to me in a protective manner, his muscles flexed. He stands in front of me. One arm behind his back, holding me by the arm keeping me behind him.

"Do you really think you get to see her after last night?" Jonah snarls.

How does Jonah know about last night?

"You don't know shit about what happened."

It goes silent, not a sound being made until Jonah groans. Jack even though hungover, stands with Corbyn and Zach. They watch whatever is happening at the door with glares. I can hear Nathan's boots against the floor as he walks closer and closer.

"Peyton, I need to talk to you," Nathan says, his voice rough.

"You aren't going anywhere near her," Corbyn mutters.

A sense of relief washes over me, knowing they're going to protect me. Even when they know nothing about what's going on. Nathan walks closer to Daniel and I.

"I won't let him hurt you," Daniel whispers to me.

"It's okay, Dani, I'll be okay," I say, stepping out from behind Daniel.

Nathan takes my hand in his, looking at the boys who were taking steps forwards.

"Boys, I need to sort this out. I'll see you around," I assure them.

I can see the hesitancy in their eyes. I wave goodbye walking down the hall to the front door. Jonah's slowly getting up from a crouched position.

"What happened?" I ask worriedly.

"Your boyfriend kicked me right where it hurts."

Let me tell you, Nathan got a mouth full.