Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

WHIPLASH

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WHIPLASH

LAURA

The door had barely clicked shut behind Josh when my mother turned to me, her eyes glassy and unfocused. The smell of vodka clung to her like a second skin. I stood frozen, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions that had followed Josh's visit. My cheek throbbed where the ice pack had once rested, and the dull ache in my nose pulsed in time with my heartbeat.

"You didn't have to embarrass me like that," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. But I wasn't quiet enough.

My mother let out a sharp laugh, the kind that always set my nerves on edge. "Oh, please, Laura. Don't be so dramatic. I was just having a little fun."

"Fun?" I repeated, incredulous. "You were hitting on Josh! A boy from my school. He's my age, Mom!"

She shrugged, pouring herself a glass of something amber from the cabinet, her movements too careless to be sober. "So what? He's cute. And he seemed interested."

I stared at her, my mouth opening and closing as I tried to find the right words. "You're unbelievable," I finally managed. "Do you even hear yourself? He was uncomfortable! He didn't know how to handle you because you're-you're an adult! You're supposed to be the one setting an example!"

She took a sip of her drink, her expression indifferent. "Don't

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WHIPLASH

I've had a long day. You

11 288 Vouchers

drunk in restaurants and bringing home men who-" I cut myself off, shaking my head. "You're a mess, Mom. And you don't even

hardened, and she slammed the glass down on the counter. "Watch your tone, young lady. You think you're so much better than me? Sitting

let them fall. "This house is the only thing keeping you here. If Dad hadn't put it in

and I stumbled back, the pain radiating from my already sore nose down to my jaw. The world seemed to stop for a moment, and all I

cheek, my fingers trembling as I touched the tender skin. Tears blurred my vision, but I

not my mother," I whispered, my voice shaking with the effort it took to keep

in her already miserable day. Without a

WHIPLASH

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herself another drink as if nothing had

hand, my chest heaving with the weight of everything I wanted to say but couldn't. Finally, I turned and

locked it behind me. I leaned against it, my hand still pressed to my throbbing cheek, and let out a shaky breath. This was

to the floor, I pressed the ice pack against my cheek, the cold a welcome distraction from the pain and humiliation swirling inside me. My thoughts drifted to Josh, his piercing blue eyes and how he'd looked at me earlier like he wanted to