Page 26 of In Between Darkness

“Does Charlie know about this?” I laugh and look over at him. He gives me a look as if to say, ‘don’t listen to her,’ and smiles. Nala is laughing, and her eyes are getting drowsy.

“I’m so happy you’re my roommate, Asha. I really mean it.” Nala is giddy with excitement; she pulls me into a fast embrace.

“Me too.” I smile and squeeze her tightly.

Nala leans her weight into me and yawns loudly, her eyelids getting heavier.

“I think you need your bed,” I remark, tapping her gently on her cheek in an attempt to wake her a little. She lifts her chin and smiles wide at me.

“Come on, Nala, let’s go.” Charlie steps in and pulls her off me, unclasping her fingers from my neck.

“Thanks for inviting me. I hope things go well with River.” He looks at me and smiles.

“Get her back in one piece, please.” I smile back and gesture at Nala, now hanging off his shoulder. He gives me a nod and retreats towards the steep staircase.

I glance at my watch. It’s now twelve thirty. I only have thirty minutes. I feel a flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing Ryder again and fling my head back, leaning into the wall to try to keep a lid on these feelings bubbling up inside me. My body grows hot as I think about his body on mine on the forest floor. His warm breath on my face. It takes all the strength inside of me to keep myself from thinking about him. I shake my head, trying to erase the feeling. I find myself back at the liquor table. My glass is empty, awaiting more of the pink Neon liquid. I reach for the ladle, my hand gripping it tight.

I hear a woman’s voice behind me. “You planning on making a few mistakes tonight then?”

I turn to look at her and she gestures to the pink bowl of liquid.

“What do you mean?” I ask, scooping the bowl’s contents into my cup and taking a large gulp.

“That’s called the melting pot,” she explains, still pointing at the liquid. “The potions students make it for people that want to have agood time,if you know what I mean.” She raises her eyebrows as she says this.

I stare at her blankly, not picking up what she is putting down.

“The first hour it gives you a nice buzz, makes you feel wasted, then all those feelings turn into lust and basically makeyou super horny.” She laughs. “How much of that have you had?”

I think back to the shots in the office. Oh shit! No wonder I’m thinking about Ryder.

“My advice to you would be to lock yourself away in your dorm room before you do something you regret.” She smiles at me genuinely.

I nod, still in shock at this news, trying to extinguish the tingles making their way up my body.

“There you are.” Strong arms envelop my body.

“River, why didn’t you tell me this was a freakin’ love potion?” I gesture to the pink liquid in my cup.

“You gulped it before I could say anything,” he defends. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you tonight.”

I nod my head.

“Where’s Nala?” he asks, looking around.

“Charlie took her back to the room; she was super wasted.” A smile tugs at my lips. “And all over Charlie, but that must’ve been the liquor.”

River laughs at this.

“It’s strong stuff. I’m guessing the urges haven’t hit you yet.”

Suddenly, River looks a whole lot more appealing. My eyes caress his face and fall onto his plump lips. I lick mine thinking about his.

“I’ve been advised to lock myself in my dorm room before I make any mistakes,” I whisper as my eyes focus on his.

“Who says this is a mistake?”

His hand falls below my waist and pulls me closer to him. He rests his hand under my chin and gently raises it to meet his lips and presses me close to him, sucking on my bottom lip. I kiss him back. But I am thinking about Ryder. A smile forms on his lips as he pulls away. “You coming back to the office?”