Again (Brandy Jeffus)

deal. I'm glad you called me, Bonnie. Do you want me to bring the dryer in here and dry your hair? I know you hate to sleep with wet hair.” He pauses letting that nugget of information stay in the air.
    “Um, yes if you don't mind,” I answer.
    He gets the dryer and sits down behind me. The feel of his fingers running through my hair sends tiny shivers coursing through my body. When we were together, my hair was longer and he always loved to brush it. When he switches the dryer off, I sigh sadly.
    “There we go,” he says softly. He brushes my hair one more time and my eyes grow heavy.
    I lay down and he pulls the covers up to my chin, “Good night hon. Get some rest baby doll.” His thumb strokes my cheek and I feel his warm lips on my forehead.
    ***
    Eli woke up to complete darkness. Wherever he was, it was pitch black. He realized he was lying on a lumpy mattress.
    He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. It lit up showing it was around 3 am. There was a dull pounding on the left side of his head and his mouth was completely dry, almost as if he had cotton balls stuffed in there.
    All of a sudden, he heard a soft moan and felt someone shift. For a minute his heart stopped. Memories from a few hours before flood in. He remembers where he’s at, Eddie's friend's graduation party.
    What he did at the party hours before came back as well. And a stream of bile rose up in his mouth. He hadn’t gone to the party with ill intentions.
    "You sure are sexy as hell," Jacie, or (was it Joni?) whispered in his ear. Her hand was by his crotch, making teasing grazes across his lap.
    "Mmm, hmmm. They all say that," he whispered, his heart in his throat. Her perfume enveloped him smelling like vanilla. His hand idled on the small of her back.
He was so drunk.
    She was prettier now, than she had been hours before when he saw her in the doorway.
    "So, Eddie told me that you've only been with one girl. Don't you believe in variety?" her lips were on his neck, close by his Adam's apple. She wanted him, he knew that. She was practically straddling him as it was and he felt his face flush. His breathing was ragged and his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest at any moment.
    “She's my girl. She's the only one I've ever wanted to be with," he said weakly. Bonnie's face came to mind and made him smile and feel sad all at the same time. She was probably asleep now. She never stayed up late most weekends.
    "Awe, well isn't that cute? She sure is a lucky girl," Jacie/Joni sarcastically said, her voice low and scratchy. Her face was in front of his now. He smelled the vodka on her breath. She bit his lip hard and he instantly pulled back, which made it hurt worse. Blood filled his mouth and he became hard even though he wasn't trying. They kissed then, aggressive and rough, not like how he was used to. He tasted blood, salt and beer. This is the second girl I’ve ever kissed, he thought. Bonnie’s face came to the forefront of his mind and he pulled away.
    "No, I can't. I love her. I can't do this. I don't even know you," Eli said. He pulled away as far as he could. His hands were on her shoulders gently pushing her away. She pushed against him, hurriedly kissed him again. She smelled like sweat and booze. It was disgusting.
    "I don't like the word no. I don't want you as a boyfriend. I just want to show you how another girl can feel," she growled and pressed herself against him.
    She walked him to a dark room, opened the door and pushed him inside. The last thing Eli saw was Bonnie's face as he was pushed onto the mattress. Then the world turned black.
    Eli looked over to the source of the sound and saw the girl on her stomach, her fire red hair splayed out around her. She lifted her head and smiled. His phone’s light lit her face. She wasn't that pretty, nowhere close to how beautiful Bonnie was. Eli's heart slammed against his chest. He felt tears threatening to spill. His throat was on fire.
    "What’s wrong sweetie pie?” Jacie/Joni laughed and faced away.
    Chapter Five
    "Mama, I'm so sorry. I have no clue how they figured out where we lived," I apologize, peeking through the blinds. At least 50 paparazzi are hanging outside on the sidewalk and in part of our yard. Like vultures waiting to strike. Their cars line the street up and down, blocking multiple driveways.
    "Honey, it's not your fault. Anybody can find out anything about anyone nowadays," Mama replies. I groan and turn around. Mama