Chapter 6 DEBBY
Debby stirred, feeling the warmth of another body beside her. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains.
Kyle’s arm was draped lazily over her waist, his chest rising and falling in deep, even breaths. For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, reality slowly sinking in.
I really did that.
She bit her lip, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. There was no regret—none at all. But the weight of what had happened, the fact that she had given herself to Kyle last night, felt surreal.
Slowly, she moved his arm off her and slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. Her clothes were scattered across the floor, and she hastily picked them up, slipping them on as quietly as possible.
When she turned to look at Kyle one last time, she saw the way his face was relaxed in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his dark lashes casting shadows on his cheekbones.
Her chest tightened.
She couldn’t stay.
Taking a deep breath, she tiptoed to the door and slipped out of his apartment.
The morning air was crisp as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She was lucky to find a taxi right away.
Sliding into the backseat, she exhaled deeply, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress.
“Where to?” the driver asked.
“Stanford Avenue,” she murmured, giving him the address.
The drive felt longer than usual, her mind running a marathon of thoughts.
Would Kyle think she was weak for sneaking out? Would he even care that she left?
She shook her head. It doesn’t matter. It was a one-time thing.
When the taxi pulled up to her house, she paid the fare and stepped out. The moment she unlocked the door and entered, she was met with her parents’ worried faces.
“Debby!” Mrs. Carter, her mom, gasped, rushing toward her. “Where have you been? We arrived home and you’re not home. You’re not answering your phone. We were worried sick!”
Her dad crossed his arms, his face hard. “You didn’t come home last night. Do you have any idea how irresponsible that was?”
Debby sighed, rubbing her forehead. “I’m sorry. I just… needed to clear my head.”
Her mother frowned. “Clear your head? What the hell happened last night? Debby, we were terrified! Anything could have happened to you!”
Her father, Mr. Carter’s expression softened just slightly. “Where did you stay?”
Debby hesitated. ‘There’s no way I’m telling them I spent the night with Kyle.’
“I slept at a friend’s house. I… I don’t want to talk about it,” she muttered. “I have to get ready for school.”
Her mother wasn’t letting her off that easily. She followed her up the stairs, her concerned eyes boring into Debby’s back.
“Sweetheart,” she said gently, “I know you’re hurting. But if you’re hurt, you need to talk to someone.”
Debby sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. She ran a hand through her hair before finally looking at her mom. “I caught Dave having sex with the school cheerleader.”
Her mother’s eyes was quickly filled with sympathy. “Oh, honey…” She sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I thought he was the one, Mom,” Debby whispered. “I really did. But he wasn’t. And now, he’s trying to act like he’s sorry.”
Her mother rubbed her arm soothingly. “I know it hurts. But you’re young, Debby. You’ll find someone who will love and cherish you—the way your father used to cherish me.”
Debby smiled weakly, but the words rang hollow. That was a lie. A nice story her mother liked to tell, as if saying it out loud would make it real.
She thought Debby couldn’t hear the fights, but she did. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, and their walls weren’t thick enough to hide the late-night arguments, the sharp accusations, the cold silence that stretched between them in the morning.
Her parents weren’t exactly the perfect example of a happy-ever-after. And if love was supposed to look like them—full of resentment, disappointment, and things left unsaid—then Debby wasn’t sure she wanted it at all.
Debby sighed. “You really believe that?”
Her mother nodded. “Of course. I met your dad when I was eighteen. I know what young love feels like. It’s exciting, intense… but it can also be painful. The right person won’t make you feel like you’re not enough.”
Debby swallowed hard as she recalled the intense night she had with Kyle.
“H-how was your vacation with Dad by the way?” she asked.
But her mothered refused to answer and stood up instead, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Take a shower and clear your mind. You’ll feel better.”
Debby nodded as her mom left the room.
As she stepped into the bathroom, the warm water cascaded over her skin, washing away the remnants of last night. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kyle.
His hands on her skin.
The way he whispered against her ear.
The way he made her feel like she was the only girl in the world.
A shiver ran down her spine, and an unconscious smile curled at her lips. She had heard other girls talk about their first time—how painful and awkward it was. But Kyle had made sure she felt nothing but pleasure.
She closed her eyes, exhaling softly.
She didn’t regret it. Not one bit.
When she stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself, she heard a knock at her door.
“Debby?” her mother’s voice called. “There’s someone waiting for you downstairs.”
Debby frowned, tightening her grip on her towel. “Who is it?”
Her mother’s voice was teasing. “A goddaman handsome boy. Says he wants to drive you to school.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
No. It couldn’t be.
Rushing to her window, she yanked it open and gasped.
Kyle.
He stood beside his sleek sports car, sunglasses perched on his nose, looking like he had just stepped out of a movie.
What was he doing here?
