Caught Red-Lipped - Jena Yao (best ereader for graphic novels .txt) 📗

Prolouge

 I have one thing to say about love.

It's that, even if you are dying for your crush to kiss you or that new bad boy to look your way and they don't, try harder. If you want that boy, you've got to work to get him. I'm not saying you have to change the way you look, but atleast smile at the boy more often instead of shyly looking away.

Everybody says that you should wait for true love. There is nothing true in this world. If you are the girl who doesn't want to be a-no-boyfriend-gal, you have to make sure you get your “true” love quick. And who cares if he's six inches taller than you or a foot shorter? It doesn't matter. He's cute and you want him.

Mom didn't find Dad quickly. She waited for her true love to whisk by. 'Love doesn't happen in a glance' is what she says. (wtf?) But after Dad left, Mom stopped trying. She didn't have the guts to find a new man. I told her that getting over Andrew – why should I call him Dad when he doesn't even live with us anymore? – is her main priority. Six months ago on a Tuesday, she actually did some work by searching guys on Eharmony.com. Unfortanately, by the end of the day she was bawling in her bedroom.

Oh, well. Atleast it was a good try.

Mom found Dad in the opposite way I found Jason. He gave me one look and we were getting ready for a date the next night.

I know my one thing to say about love is true. Because I'm perfectly right all the time.

And love is perfect too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

I'm drop-dead gorgeous.

It's a plain and sinple fact. It's not my fault I have the perfect body shape, perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect whatever. I don't even like it. I would've handed my face off to Trisha Karwien anyway. She really doesn't like me at all. In fact, she fucking hates me. She loves Jason, though.

Jason and I have been together from 8th grade. And now, our senior year. We used to be inseperable. Now Jason is...distant. He hardly texts or calls me. Most of the time he's babysitting his aunt's child or doing some work, so he's written off all my plans – I really don't think he's babysitting or working. I'm pretty sure he hanging out with Jacie Torran. Jacie & Jason. They belong on the Rolling Stone.

Jacie is Jason's neighbor. She moved here just a year ago. I wonder if she likes Jason.

I get a text. Jason.

Jason: hey baby r u comin 2 chad's party??

Me: yea, r u?

Jason: maybe. Might b busy. make sure no guys hit on u!!!

Me: busy w/ what?

He replies a little later than the other texts.

Jason: babysitting

Me: r u sure? Ur always babysitting. Tell me the real reason

I get a text from my best friend, Whitney.

Whit: went 2 the spa today, sending u pic of facial

A picture of Whitney pops up. She looks different with blue eyeshadow and dark lines of mascara. Her three pimples are gone. I smile, glad that she's happy. Before all she could complain about was her face.

Me: soooooo happy 4 u, whit!!!! can't wait to see u in person :)

Whit: u'll c me at chad's party. I'll pick u up, ok?

I send her a thanks and run upstairs to my closet. Chad Hampon's party is tonight. It's his eighteenth birthday, and his parents are out of town. It's supposed to be the biggest bash of the month – maybe even the year.

After picking out an outfit and sending a picture to Whitney, I slam onto my bed. Picking out an outfit for a party is really more tiring than some people think.

 

Whitney comes and picks me up, staring at me. I guess she likes it when she smiles and yells, “Get in!”

I'm glad that I picked out this new white dress. It's got a black bow on the side and reaches mid-thigh. Mom bought it for me for Homecoming, which is four weeks away, but then decided it wasn't good enough. I told her I would do the shopping this time.

I did my hair into soft waves that go down to my arms. Only a touch of mascara and eyeliner. Whitney looks amazing with blue eyeshadow like in the picture and her hair curled. I hug her and squeal as she drives to Chad's house.

When we get there, the party is in full bust. We walk inside, greeted by Chad, who thankfully is not drunk.

“Hey, ladies,” he says, grinning, “Welcome to my fiesta!” He laughs, walking over to some guy and starts to talk. Whitney and I go deeper inside, to the kitchen, where beer cans are tossed on the floor. I dodge a puddle of alcohol and almost gag at the smell. We pass through the kitchen quickly and walk to the living room where some girls and guys are talking.

“Well, look who made it,” says a deep voice. I turn around and face Daniel, one of my closest friends. He's on the football team. His voice is sexy, too. Mostly American with a hint of British in there. I laugh and hug him.

“Have you guys seen Jason?” I ask, smiling.

“Uh, I think so,” says Daniel. “He came a little earlier. Is he drunk, I don't know.”

“That's alright,” I say. “Jason never gets totally wasted.”

I pass by Whiney, who is flirting with Noah, a senior at our school. I walk around the house, looking for Jason, when I see him walk down the stairs. I gasp.

His clothes are rumpled, the zipper on his jeans is unzipped. His hair is wild and he's grinning. After he comes down the stairs, a girl follows him. Frizzy red hair, cropped tank top, Jacie. Jacie.

By the looks of it, they were doing it.

Tears blur my vision and I look at Jason. His eyes catch mine and he starts coming over, but I back away and whisper-scream, “Get away from me.”

Jacie comes up behind him and looks confused for a few seconds before she sees me. A smirk spreads on her face and she laughs, her eyes glinting. They really did do it.

Jason says, “Carson, please -”

“Oh, please what? Please forgive me, Carson?” I yell at him. “Forgive you. Ha. Forgive you for lying all those times you lied about babysitting your brother. You were really...just with her.” I point a shaky finger at Jacie, who is leaning her head on Jason's shoulder. “Guess what, Jason? We're done. Over. And I'm pretty sure on Monday you were going to break up with me. Oh, that's too bad...I did it first.” A tear rolls down my cheek. “Jacie and Jason. You guys belong on Rolling Stone.”

I walk away and bump into Whitney. She's staring at me. Oh God, my makeup.

“You. Are. Going. Home.” Whitney snaps. She looks at Jason, narrowing her eyes. “Oh, you little ass-”

“Whit, please, let's just go.” Everyone in the living room is looking at us. Jason's sister, Ali, comes over and pushes Jason to the floor. “Wow, little bro.”

Whitney pulls on my arm and drags me away. I would've liked to see Jason get beat up by his sister.

I sit down on a chair in the backyard and sigh. “You don't have to leave.”

She mumbles something under her breath about dirty liars, then looks up at me and says, “I'll drop you off and come back. Or do you want a girls' night? My parents are working and yours are on that zoo trip, right?”

I nod. Tears roll down my cheeks.

“That dick doesn't deserve you. And that Jacie girl, she's probably the ugliest person I have ever seen. Her outfit deserves to be on My Little Pony: Ugliest Ponies and Phonies in Town.”

I laugh, but my heart deflates right after. Jason has come outside and is looking for someone. Me.

Whitney shakes her head. “You're over him. He just needs to get that.”

I stand up and tell her to stay put. I walk over to Jason, my legs shaking. I cross my arms and stand in front of him.

“Carson, please just let me explain...” Jason's face is red. I laugh, but it comes out more like a choke.

“Look, Jason, you've done enough explaining. I know you were waiting for sex, but I didn't think you would have it with another girl. And...what about the 'Jason and Jacie are friends thing'? That's a lie, right? Yeah. So now it would just be best if you walked away and get together with Jacie. She gave you her virginity.” I start walking away. “Have a nice life, Jason.” I slap him across the face, leaving him in shock.

“Wait!” He calls frantically. “You're still my girl, right?”

“I think I'm gonna pass. But thanks for the offer.” I say snarkily, sitting back down beside Whitney. She nods at me, as if to say, You did the right thing.

I'm sure I did, Whitney. I'm sure I did.

Chapter 2

I open Eharmony.com on the computer and swivel it towards Whitney. She raises an eyebrow.

I sigh. “We have to find someone for Mom. She doesn't even have a dude as a friend right now.”

“But...” Whitney grabs the computer mouse and puts her head in her hands. “But don't you think that you should let your Mom wait for actual love?”

“Ugh. You sound exactly like her.” I groan, slamming the computer shut. “Actual love? I hate the words true, wait, and all that crap.”

Whitney stands up, putting her hands on her hips. “That shit doesn't happen quickly. You and Jason...well, yes, but me and Noah, we went a whole 'nother route. We actually talked first.”

“Whatever.”

Whitney goes to my closet and her cell phone rings. She answers it, smiling.

“Mmm hmm...” Mumbling on the other end.

“Sure!” Whitney beams. “I'll be there in ten, okay?”

She looks at me. “Noah asked me to meet him at Turners'. Can I...”

I throw a pillow at her. “You better go, girl, or I kill you.”

She smiles gratefully and runs out the door. As soon as I see her car leave the driveway, I call Daniel.

“Wazzup...” He slurs when I answer.

“Dan, are you drunk?”

“What? No!” He laughs. “Mustang, I was just sleeping.” Mustang is what he calls me, because my name has Car in it.

“Sleeping?” I check my clock. “Dan,