Crushed (Torn #7)(13)

“Trust me, if there will be a guilt trip involved, you won’t be the person I’d run to. So you’re pretty much safe with me.”

He shrugged, grinning. “Just sayin’. You look like a nice chick; just don’t get hooked on things like these, okay? Partying and having fun with it is always cool and chill, but don’t seek it out because you’re bored and shit. I’m not down for that.”

He was such a worrywart. Who would have thought?

“Thanks for the advice, but none needed,” I assured him confidently. Let’s face it; the only way of getting over an addiction was with another addiction as a distraction, so I wasn’t going to pass this opportunity up. Besides, I was only going to be young once. Best I lived it to the fullest.

“You here to score some, babe?” The man who had hollered at Rob earlier gave me an inquisitive look.

When Rob answered for me, I gave him a smile just to indicate that I came in peace and had all the intentions of being a bad girl tonight. He basically liked me enough that he magically produced a paper plate with some scattered powder all over it.

Situating the thin plate on the trunk’s platform, he then made two small lines that reminded me of powdery looking airstrips. Producing a white straw that was cut short, an inch and a half long, his willing friend then gave me the green light in a form of a curt nod, signaling I was good to take off.

Perhaps the alcohol in my system made me find amusement in these things, but hell, life was already serious enough. If I had to take it any more seriously, I would end up crazy, so it was good to find some fun here and there, and right that instant, that was the best I could do. Maybe it would loosen me up and have me not caring so much about my parents.

Rob was rather enthusiastic about trying to show me how to do it like a champ. I basically shoved him to the side so I could do it my way. I had seen films and had an idea on how it was done. How hard could snorting this sugar be?

My thoughts momentarily seized as I slouched over and situated the plastic straw in my right nostril before lining up to the right snowy lane. Not giving my mind a chance to think, I sniffed as hard as I could, running the straw down the straight line, engulfing all of its powdery goodness.

Taking a moment as I took out the straw, I instantly felt the fiery burn that ran from my nose all the way to my brain then to my body. It was something I had never felt in my life, and I was electrified, petrified even. However, nothing prepared me for the immediate shift of my emotional state. I could barely feel it, though.

Damn.

Just as Rob had said, I could seriously dig this.

“One more,” I enthusiastically declared as I placed the straw to the other unused passage and took the remaining line like a pro.

Again, everything intensified. The feel-good sensation was overwhelming, and I was ensnared. Big. f*uking time.

“Can I have some more?”

Rob chuckled then patted my shoulder. “I think you’re good for the night, donut princess. But, while you’re letting it all cook in your system, let me have some of my own.”

Watching him take four airstrips, I felt a tiny stab of jealousy, but it instantly passed because, hey, I was riding on a wave full of energy and a whole package full of fireworks.

“Hey. Hey, you all right there?” Rob’s hand strongly gripped my arm before checking my face, probably looking for signs that would be alarming for a first-timer.

Nothing too alarming on this front.

“Yep, just peachy,” I murmured reassuringly.

His friends, who had already had their turns before we got here, finished up their weed then asked us if we were ready to go back inside to party. The throng of people arriving was nonstop, and they apparently wanted to score some “hot chicks” tonight.

“Ready to go back in?” Rob asked just as his friends started to walk away.

“Umm…” Not just yet. “Could I have one more please?” I begged in a cute, Betty Boop way, hoping he would give in to my last request.

He rolled his eyes at me. “You may not be able to handle it. This is your first time; don’t you think you should slow down a little?”

Party pooper.

“Jesus, Rob. It’s only one more; it surely won’t hurt.”

He clearly contemplated it, and then I heard him groan in surrender. Before I knew it, he opened a small compartment in the truck bed’s raised platform, producing a small Ziploc bag with the goodies in it. “One more. That’s it. I don’t care if you beg me again. This. Is. It.”

I lightly clapped my hands in approval. “Thank you. Thank you.” Being this obsessive in such an early stage wasn’t a good sign, but I didn’t want to dwell on that tonight.

I was grateful that Rob was careful with me, though, because if he was a pushover, I would ask for more. I knew he meant it when he said this was the last one.

Hastily, I noted with eager eyes as he prepared me the last treat for tonight. Once he handed me the same straw from earlier, I went on about my business, truly enthralled by the powerful beauty of the monster I was beginning to like.

After the fine ordeal, he then set it aside, placing it back where it belonged in its little, secret stash before deciding to sit on the platform, and I took the spot next to him.

For some time, we sat side by side, speaking nothing and thinking of everything.

“Are we going to exchange numbers or what? I can take you around, maybe even take you out on a date if you behave tonight.”