Chapter Two:: Black Out Barbie

I blacked out again.

I woke up this morning in my own bed, which wasn't bad considering all the other places I've woken up after a black out. However, I wasn't alone.

Reid Garwin was sprawled out underneath the covers…..shirtless.

These black outs have been getting more and more frequent. I'd blame the alcohol except that they happen regardless of whether I've been drinking or not. It seemed like the drinking escalated it but they happen anyway.

The first time it happened I had been driving. I was on my way to Jaelyn's college to talk to her about the phone call. One second I was driving and the next I was in her room, looking down at her body.

I got off the bed quietly and went over to the closet to get a hoodie. I pulled it on and gathered my hair up into a ponytail. I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth. When I came back in Reid was waking up.

"Good morning."

"Reid,' I said in acknowledgement.

He grinned, "Oh c'mon Kinnamon Buns. We spend an amazing night together and all I get is a 'Reid'."

I bit my lip wondering what I had done.

"Don't look so worried. Your oven wasn't in business last night." He smirked and stretched his arms behind his head. I couldn't help but watch.

"You're all about those bakery jokes aren't you?" He smiled and leaned down to grab his shirt up off the floor.

"So Jenna, what's the itinerary for the day? More traffic violations?"

I couldn't help but laugh. He was charming. What a surprise. "Homework actually. But if I get the time, yeah, I may disobey a few signs."

Reid got out of the bed and took hold of my chin looking at my face. "Get some water in you Kinnamon," and with that he walked out the door.

I sighed and pulled out my homework. I managed to do about half the work before I shoved it aside. I couldn't focus anymore. Stretched out on the bed my sweatshirt had rised up and I begain tracing the lettering on my side absentmidedly. It was while I was doing this that Mallory walked into the room.

"Thank God you're finally up. I seriously thought you and Reid were comatose," she frowned before continuing, "I think we need to talk."

I raised my eyebrows at my friend. She'd been my roommate since I'd started going to Spencer. We were both avid readers and movie watchers. Dorks in our own way. We had the same silly sense of humor and positive outlook on life. At least we did have that in common, once upon a time. Mallory was a romantic. She believed in love and fairy tales and forgiveness. Those were the things I loved about her the most. She's the most forgiving creature I have ever met. She wasn't my sister but I thought of her as a cousin.

"Shoot."

"Well I'm worried about you. You're drinking is out of control. You're driving has reached a whole other level. Now you're cavorting with Reid Garwin? I'm terrified of losing you. Sometimes I'm talking to you and I swear to God you're not there. It's like your empty and then later you act like you have no idea we ever even talked. I don't even recognize you anymore." Mallory stopped abruptly and turned to sit on her bed.

And I blacked out.

I came to a couple hours later. I was standing in one of the hallways upstairs. I looked around confused, this was a boys floor. I wasn't in front of a room I recognized so I shrugged my shoulders and walked back down to my own room. I was starting down the stairs when I heard a door close.

"Jenna hold on, I said I'd only be a minute."

I stopped and turned around. Tyler Simms was running after me

"Sorry Tyler, I got distracted by the Winter Wonderland," I said, covering for myself quickly, pointing out the window at the swirling snowflakes.

Tyler looked out wistfully, "It is beautiful out."

I felt the devious smile come onto my face, "I have a great idea."

We returned to his room a half hour later. We'd donned our jackets and gloves and braved the storm. Our pockets were bulging with our weapons. Tyler swung open his door and we began pelting snowball after snowball at Reid, who was lounging on his bed with his shirt off.

"What the hell," he screamed before holding up a pillow as a shield. A malicious gleam came into his eyes as he stared the two of us down, "Oh, you're going to regret that baby boy…cinnamon buns."

We ran from the room laughing and holding our hands to our aching sides. We were still laughing when Reid came barreling out in hastily thrown on clothes.

I had just ran out onto the sidewalk when Reid tackled me into the snow. Tyler came up behind him and tossed the head of a snowman onto his back. I squealed as the snow went up my nose. Reid gave chase and I was free to roam campus. Running into the cafeteria I came out with a couple trays and a few traffic cones I'd stolen from a particularly wet spot in the caf.

"Anyone up for extreme sledding? Gladiator style."

When I returned to my room later that day I was abound with bruises and my hair was a ratted mess. I took a shower, carefully detangling my knots, and let the hot water warm me back up. I poked at a particularly painful bruise on my stomach and grimaced. The idea had been sort of reckless. Standing on trays as they go down a hill is bad enough. Throw in the fact that you're racing your opponent while you both swat at each other with traffic cones and it's downright suicidal.

I dried my hair and put on my robe. I stood in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection. . "I don't even recognize you anymore," Mal had said to me. I stared harder thinking that if I willed it the old me would resurface. I'd come back.