“Get me some water,” I shouted at the barman.
“That’s seven dollars.”
“What? Seven dollars for water?!”
He stared at me askance. “The tap water’s free.”
“But I’m dying of thirst!” I complained.
“It’s still seven dollars.”
“It’s a matter of principle. I mean—”
And that was when I realized I couldn’t form a complete thought, not even the simplest one, that I understood that I wasn’t feeling like myself. How could I be so gone? I was sure I hadn’t had more than a few sips.
Some girls stepped on my Converse and threw themselves on the counter, forcing me to move back.
“You’re taking too long. It’s our turn,” one of them said, turning their back to me.
I decided not to pay a dime, keep my throat dry, and go home ASAP.
The search for the exit was very turbulent, but between the confusing silhouettes and disconnected sounds, I managed to find it in the end.
The fresh air froze my arms, and I let out sigh of relief.
“Are you okay?”
Jackson’s voice took me by surprise. He was with a group of cackling guys, who he left to come up to me.
“Yeah, I don’t know,” I said spontaneously.
“You don’t know?” he asked, examining me from head to toe. “You know what it is? I do. You’re totally wasted.”
“No.” I rubbed my forehead, confused.
“It’s just two weeks, Jax.”
And when I heard James’s gruff voice get closer, my heart started pounding like a herd of elephants.
I had to get out of here.
“Listen, I don’t mind being sober,” Jackson answered his friend. What were they talking about?
“I know, but—”
It was pretty dark outside. It took James a bit to realize that I was there, but when Jackson’s tall figure went past me, he stopped.
My eyes first fell on his lips, then on his chest, wrapped in his studded leather jacket. Were we really this close before? He furrowed his brow, while I was breathless.
“Are you okay?” he whispered. Or maybe he was saying it out loud? I probably took too long to answer because James and Jackson were looking at me worried, while I was having trouble understanding what was going on all around me.
“Who’s this? Your sister?” asked a girl, who I swear came out of nowhere.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” shot back James, before putting his phone flashlight in my face.
“Are you an idiot?!” I jumped, shooing his hand away and feeling the light burn my pupils.
“Look, either you come back inside with me or I’m leaving,” the unknown girl yelled at James.
