Free Afflicted by Sophie Monroe

feel like getting into it.” I said brusquely.
    “Lady trouble? Though looking like you do, I highly doubt that’s a problem.”
    I didn’t feel like getting into it with her, or anyone for that matter, but I figured maybe an outsider could offer some insight. I started all the way at the beginning and by the time I was done I felt emotionally spent.
    “I’m sorry you’re going through something like this dollface, but maybe it’s just not meant to be. Sometimes we want things that we just can’t have. They obviously have history and that’s not something that’s just going to go away, so if I were you I’d focus on getting yourself a single girl with less baggage.”
    As I let what she said sink in I started running different scenarios through my head , all of which involved Piper in one way or another.
    What was it about her that mad e her so fucking special?
    I spent the last three years moving from girl to girl without blinking an eye and never once getting emotionally attached, then Piper comes along, and I’m in fucking knots. I finished my beer and got up to go home. All this thinking about Piper had me needing to go home and take a cold shower.
     
    Piper
     
    “What was he doing here? Did you ask him to come?” Cole yelled, making my already throbbing head worse.
    “No, Aubrey made soup , and he brought it over. He felt sorry that I was here all by myself, so he stayed for a little while.”
    “Did you fuck him again?” He spat angrily.
    Blowing my nose hoping to get some of the congestion out I rolled my eyes. “Have you looked at me?”
    “You look healthy enough to me. Do you need anything?” I shook my head no. “Alright, I’ll be back in a bit then.” 
    I groaned and put my head back on the lumpy pillow. I secretly wished that it were Blake’s legs again before mentally slapping myself since I had a boyfriend, a shitty one, but a boyfriend nonetheless.
    I closed my eyes and started dreaming.
    I stood in fron t of the full-length mirror wearing my pale yellow, prom dress. My chocolate brown hair was curled and in a side ponytail secured at the base of my neck. My eyes were sparkling with the natural eye shadow that had been professionally applied.
    I felt feminine and somewhat grown up. I was anxiously waiting for the doorbell to ring so I could see Cole since I hadn’t talked to him all day. We had huge plans for tonight. It was cliché to do it on prom night, but we were planning on having sex for the first time tonight. We had been friends since we were kids, and dating for two years. With graduation looming around the corner, the time felt right.
    Finally, I heard the chime and walked down the stairs. He was standing at the bottom, looking up at me adoringly in his tuxedo. He looked breathtaking. I loved him more than anything and we already talked about getting married right after graduation. He said that he had something to talk to me about tonight, and I was wondering what it could be. He slid the corsage on my wrist, and I pinned the boutonniere on his lapel before we stood around while our parents repeatedly took photo after photo.
    I knew he was probably feeling sad that his mom wasn’t here since she took off when he was a kid , but his dad tried his best to make it up to him, including loaning him his prized 53’ Chevy. When they were finished, we got in the car and took off toward the school gym.
    After he pulled into the parking lot and turned the car off he looked intently at me clearing his throat. He fidgeted with his hands for several minutes looking nervous.
    “Piper, you know I love you. I want to marry you one day , but in order to give us both a future I made a decision. I signed my enlistment papers for the Marines earlier today. It will give us the opportunity to stock some money away, so we won’t have to worry as much. After I serve my time, I promise I’ll come back for you. Everything’s going to be perfect.”
    I remembered how much I trusted him. If he