The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

A rose tattoo...
One identical to this...
Jennifer.
Immediately, I pull down the covers and see the short brown pixie haircut... the one I hate so much... Not missing a beat, I spring from the bed to see myself naked and covered in marks. My head was becoming dizzy. The room I was standing in was different... a hotel. Not in control of my body, I quickly grab my things and get out. The desire to puke became undeniably strong. I felt myself heave. I found my car in the hotel parking lot and quickly drove away.
My phone was on ten percent. I had four miss calls from Cassie and six text messages. Not paying attention to the road and terrified of dying, I pull over to the side and check them.
Antonia, are you going to be late tonight? - 8:46 pm yesterday
Hey, is everything okay? Text me if you are going to be late. - 9:04 pm yesterday
Antonia? Did I do something? Jaelynn needs your help with a college assignment. Please reply. - 9:48 pm yesterday
This isn't like you... you always answer me. Make sure to text me when you can. I'm worried. - 10:25 pm yesterday
I'm sorry if I did anything... the kids miss you and want to know when you are coming home. Please text me. - 11: 02 pm yesterday
Come home please. - 1:00 am This Morning
My heart sank into my chest. Again I wasn't thinking when I called her. It was 7:47 am and it only took three rings before she answers, "Antonia? Where are you? Are you okay? Why didn't you answer me? Did I do something? Where are you? Why didn't you come home?" She went on and on with questions, the anxiety in her voice was deafeningly clear. My mind was drawling up blanks.
I can't remember.
Where was I?
Why was I in a hotel with Jennifer?
Why was she naked?
Why was I naked?
Why do I have marks?
And like a coward, I blurted out, "Sorry Cassie, I was working late and went to get a drink with Jeremiah and some other coworkers... I was so tired and just stayed at a hotel last night... I passed out before I could reply." Silence. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. My throat was tightening up every second and sweat poured down my face. Soon I heard a couple of sniffs and whimpers, "Cassie?"
"I thought something happened!" She said, her voice breaking, "I was so worried! I didn't know if you got into trouble or if I did something again and couldn't remember! Don't ever do that again! Call me if you are going out drinking and text me to get you! Don't scare me like this!" Her whimpers hurt my soul, made me want to cry with her.
But the issue was...
I lied to the love of my life right now...
And I could have possibly done the biggest mistake of my life last night.
~
When I got home, Cassie immediately engulfed me in a hug. Her eyes were still puffy from crying. I held onto her as tightly as I could, but the guilt that was growing in my stomach... it was poisoning me. Jaelynn came out, wearing her usual college outfits. A big hoodie, sweats, and whatever shoes she found that morning. "Hey, off to your first class?" I said.
"Yea," she tossed her stuff into her car, "oh, can you please help me with some calculus tonight? I can't understand a damn thing."
I chuckled, "Yeah, just come home before seven."
"I think you should be telling yourself that mom!" She teased, but my heart banged at the comment.
Jakob and Jessika came rushing out the door. Both in their soccer uniforms, "Mommy, we need to go to school!" Cassie was still hugging me as the two impatiently yanked on the door handles.
I rubbed her lower back and muttered into her ear, "Cassie, you need to drive the kids."
I know how much she wanted to say no but she sucked it up, giving me a big kiss before getting into the car and driving off. Once I couldn't see their cars anymore, I ran inside and slammed the front door.
As fast as I could, I stripped down and examined my body. What appeared to be hickeys were all over my body. It felt as if I had a layer of dirt on me, so I got into the shower to wash. I scrubbed as hard as I could on the spots of my body... hoping to god they would come off like marker. When they didn't, I fell to the floor sobbing.
What the hell happen?
~
I couldn't pay attention at work. Every minute I was going back to this morning. Opening my eyes to see the tattoo, realizing it was Jennifer, getting out of the bed, seeing myself naked and covered with hickeys, getting into the car, seeing those messages, seeing Cassie and the kids... my body was beginning to burn.
"Good morning my genius friend," Jeremiah plopped beside me, pushing a file onto my desk, "I need some assistance with this case... I think the man is perfectly fine.... BUT some old twit says he's insane. Mind helping?" He placed a coffee for me on my desk, but I didn't have the energy nor will to drink it. After a couple of seconds, he said, "You good?"
"Jeremiah."
"Yes?"
"What happened last night?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" He spun around like an idiot, "Our team went out for some drinks, you got hella hammered and told us some funny ass shit. Then we all split up. Why? Can't remember? I told you not to drink that much!"
"Jeremiah."
"Yes ma'am," he laughed.
"I woke up in a hotel bed with Jennifer," he stopped spinning and stared at me. I lifted my face to him, "I woke up naked... and she was naked too."