Morning After

Lucas slowly opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings. He was in a bedroom he didn't recognize, with a pounding headache and a dry mouth. As he tried to sit up, a wave of nausea washed over him, and he fell back onto the pillow. What had happened the night before? He tried to remember, but his memories were hazy. Panic started to set in as he scrambled to recall the events of the previous night. He had gone to the party at Alex's mansion, had drunk a few too many beers, and...and... He couldn't remember anything else. A sense of unease crept over him as he realized he was alone in the room. Lucas threw off the covers and got out of bed, stumbling towards the bathroom. As he looked in the mirror, he was met with a shocking sight. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was disheveled, and there were bruises on his neck and shoulders. What had happened to him? He stumbled back into the bedroom, his mind racing with questions. That's when he saw him - Rio, sitting on the couch, staring at him with a mixture of guilt and regret. "Lucas," Rio said softly, his eyes avoiding Lucas's face. Lucas's instincts kicked in, and he took a step back, his eyes narrowing. "What happened last night?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady. Rio sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We...we need to talk," he said, his voice laced with guilt. Lucas's heart was racing as he approached Rio. "Tell me what happened," he said, his voice firm. Rio looked up at him, his eyes filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Lucas. I was out of line. I took advantage of you, and I...I hurt you." The words hit Lucas like a ton of bricks. He felt a wave of anger and shame wash over him, and he took a step back, his eyes welling up with tears. Rio got up from the couch, his eyes pleading with Lucas. "I know I can never undo what happened, but I want to make it right. I want to help you, Lucas." Lucas shook his head, trying to process everything. He didn't know what to say or do. All he knew was that he felt violated, hurt, and angry. As he looked at Rio, he saw a different person staring back at him. The popular jock he had known for years was gone, replaced by someone who looked genuinely sorry. But it was too late. The damage was done. Lucas's trust was broken, and he didn't know if he could ever forgive Rio. The room fell silent, with only the sound of Lucas's ragged breathing breaking the silence. Rio took a step forward, his eyes locked on Lucas's face. "I'm sorry, Lucas," he said again, his voice barely above a whisper. Lucas just shook his head, unsure of what to say or do next. The morning after had brought him a new reality, one that he was still trying to understand.