Paper Doll

Chapter Sixteen | Leigh

2 MONTHS AGO

As the morning sun rose up in the sky, I couldn't help but think on how I would face Percy. Today was his birthday. He texted me at around six am to tell me that he'd drop by to see me. That we didn't really have to go out to celebrate. That we could stay here in the house and celebrate it together with Grace. Tsk. Like that would happen. I couldn't even imagine being in the same room as them. How could they act like nothing was going on between them? And with Grace... how could she?

          "Leigh? Are you awake? Percy's downstairs." Speaking of my sister...

          I didn't answer. I just lay there on my bed, staring at the ceiling, hearing my sister knock on my door.

          "Leigh?" She opened the door and peered in. I closed my eyes and feigned asleep. I still needed more time to process everything I'd seen earlier. Grace had to leave me alone. Or better yet, while I was still in my room, contemplating to see them, they should start making out again.

          My phone rang. I wanted to reach for it but with Grace in the room, I didn't bother. She answered it anyway.

          "Hey. You want to go up here? Leigh's still asleep. Maybe if you wake her up, she'll have the energy to do so." She laughed. Now I hated her laughter. It's not one of my comforts anymore. "Just go up here. Her door's open."

         "Did I hear you right? The door's open?" Percy's voice boomed in.

         I felt my right side sank a little. It's either Grace or Percy sitting beside me.

         "About earlier..." Percy said.

          Why in the world should they talk about that in my room? Couldn't they have the decency to save me from any more pain?

          Grace's hand was on my cheeks now, stroking it. "Let's not talk about that here." Then my bedside returned to its form. So it's Grace sitting beside me. "I don't want her to hear anything. What I did... What we did... it's not something we'd do again."

          "I agree."

         "So," Grace clapped once. "Happy birthday, Percy."

          When I heard the clicked of my door, I turned my back on Percy, still faking sleep. I heard him chuckle. God, I hated his chuckle. It's not comfort anymore. Actually, everything about him was hard to believe now.

           "Leigh?" I felt his touch and it sent shivers down my spine. I was cringing in pain. I felt the hatred in my heart. I could feel the betrayal running to his fingers. "Leigh..."

           I groaned, turning to face him slightly with narrowed eyes. "Percy? What are you—" Then the other words were muffled by his mouth. He was kissing me the same day he made out with Grace. I felt disgusted.