Page 2

“I only came because of you,”

I whine. If I were being honest with myself, her ditching me for some dick isn't all that surprising. I just hate being alone, especially in crowds like this.

“Hey.”

She places her hands on my shoulders and mimics taking long, deep breaths until I do it with her. “You’re fine. I’ll be back, and you’re with friends, kind of,”

she laughs. “You’ve got this.”

But I don’t feel like I’ve got this. I slept the last two hours of the drive, and my neck aches from the awkward angle it must have been in the whole time. Walking around Seattle at night, alone, on MLK Jr Way makes me nervous. It’s busier here than last night, and trying to sell these pills alone leaves me paranoid. Plus, being around so many people makes me uncomfortable. Every time the door swings open, a rush of music and people comes spilling out.

“Do your thing, then find someone to dance with. Enjoy the music, okay? Promise me you’ll try to have a little fun.”

She gives me a quick hug before turning toward Keven, who’s waiting for her by the car.

“Here, take these to start.”

Silas walks over and hands me a small bag. “James has the rest, so find him when you need more.”

Then he jogs towards Kay and Keven, leaving me standing there wondering how I ended up alone.

With nothing else to do, I start walking around, hating the way the streetlights flicker. I watch everyone at first, afraid to ask the wrong person if they want to buy drugs. Jesus, this is what my life has come to. The street is packed with people, groups gathered together in the parking lot and the line to get in stretching from the building all the way down around the corner.

I weave through the crowd, trying to blend in, to look like I belong. I just need to find one person, and I know the people around me will know what I have. Like sharks scenting blood in the water, they always know.

“You looking for anything?”

I ask a girl with a bad bleach job as I approach her. Her short hair falls just above her ears, which are weighed down by massive gauges.

“Yeah, I've been standing out here for half an hour with no luck,”

she laughs, and rubs her arms to fight off the chill in the air.

I get it because May in Seattle after the sun goes down isn't exactly warm, and the tight, black sequin dress I’m wearing does jack shit against the cold. The dress is short, hitting just above my thighs, and leaves very fucking little to the imagination, and every step I take causes it to ride up a little more. Within four steps, my ass is hanging out. The fabric clings to every curve, and each sequin catches the light like tiny stars scattered across my body.

It’s not something I'd usually wear, but Kay insisted. Plus, she’s wearing a matching one. I wouldn't stand out so much if I was next to her like we’d planned.

“I got some White Rolex’s and Blue Diamonds. $8 each.”

“Hell yeah, I’ll take 2 of each. I’ve got some buddies inside.”

She shakes a little as she digs some cash out, and I wonder if it's the cold or if this is her first time getting high. Did I look this out of place last night? I laugh to myself a little; her nerves are enough to simmer mine down.

Just like I knew they would, the people around us pick up on what’s happening, and I don't even have to leave my spot while I sell the rest of the bag. The girls compliment my dress while the guys ask what it feels like, deciding to just rub the sequins themselves.

When I find James towards the back of the line, leaning against the wall, he looks up from his phone, surprised. He takes the cash from me and counts it.

“That was fast,”

he says, counting out more pills and handing them to me.

“Must be the dress,”

I shrug, “I didn't do even half this much last night.”

I tuck the pills into my bra and turn to leave before he stops me and tells me that I’ll be going inside with him when he gets to the front of the line. Hopefully, Kay will be back by then so I don't have to go in there alone.

An hour goes by, and I’ve almost sold out again, so I scan the crowd in the line and spot James near the doors. I head over to him and hand him the money I have, but this time, he doesn't count it.

“Here, for you.”

He hands me another bag and 4 single pills that I immediately shove into my bra, with no intention of taking them here.

The line moves quickly, and I haven't even made it through the door before the first girl I sold to walks right up to me and shocks the hell out of me when she grabs my face and starts kissing me.

Stunned, I stand there with my arms hanging loosely at my sides until I feel her tongue on my lips and I reach up to gently push her off me. She smiles when she opens her eyes, her pupils blown, and she laughs.

“These are ah-mazing! Do you have more?”

Yeah, she’s definitely rolling now. She didn't give off I kiss stranger vibes when I met her earlier.

“Yeah,”

I say, recovering from the shock. I start to pull my stash out, but stop when two guys walk up and throw their arms around her shoulders.

“These are the buddies I was telling you about earlier.”

She laughs, rolling her eyes and shrugging them off her shoulders.

“Hey, how you doin’?”

The one on the right asks, smiling.

The one on the left just stares at me. He’s cute, with short brown hair, cropped close in a military cut. His blue eyes stand out. Even with his pupils blown as wide as dinner plates, they’re glowing. He’s got a sharp jawline, though his facial hair is scruffy and patchy, like he gave up halfway through growing it out. It doesn’t exactly flatter him.

“Hi.”

I wave awkwardly, but before I can say anything else, I'm yanked around roughly and come face-to-face with my friend Kendra.

“What are you doing here?”

she demands, looking me up and down, her expression shifting into a grin. “I almost didn't recognize you in this dress.”

“Kendra! I’m so fucking happy to see you.”

I laugh shakily, relief rushing through me, “Hold on a second.”

I grab her hand so she doesn't disappear when I turn back to the blonde.

“Sorry,”

I say. “You wanted more?”

“Yeah, four more. My name’s Bianca, by the way. I figured you should know my name after I shoved my tongue down your throat.”

She grins playfully, ignoring the confused looks from her friends.

“I’m Elle,”

I say with a smile and hand her the pills. “Have fun, and make sure you stay hydrated!”

I wave before walking away, pulling Kendra with me past the doors and further into the venue.

“Damn, you got some?”

Kendra asks excitedly as we walk further into the venue, weaving through the crowd of people.

“Yeah, but they're not mine, so you gotta buy ‘em.”

We move deeper into the party, the music blasting around us and the lights flashing to the beat.

“You know, if you push it too hard, someone’s going to notice.”

She warns me after we get stopped another handful of times by people recognizing me from the line outside, wanting more. Four more girls have kissed me, but I’m not complaining.

“I’ve been careful. I promise.”

I nod, aware of the risks.

Kendra leans in a bit, her voice lowered. “They were cute, the ones I first saw you with. Did you know them?”

“No, but that girl, Bianca, was the first one I sold to tonight. She said they're here together.”

Kendra nods. She tries pulling me onto the floor to dance, but I shake my head. I’m too overstimulated by the bodies pressing into me, from the girls kissing me, and the room is packed.

It's too crowded and too hot. I nod my head towards the doors, wanting to step out for a smoke. She flips me off with a smile on her face before turning around and disappearing into the crowd.

As soon as I step outside, the cool air hits my skin, sending shivers down my spine and immediately cooling me. I lean against the wall, pulling out a cigarette. Just as I’m about to light it, I catch sight of the guys who were with Bianca earlier.

They’re standing nearby, and I can feel the cute, quiet one watching me with those bright blue eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. But it's his friend who approaches me first.

“I’m Brandon,”

he says then points to his friend, “That’s Jake. We were with Bianca earlier.”

“Hi, I’m Elle,”

I reply, giving a little nod. “You guys having fun?”

“Yeah. Hey, would you mind taking a picture with me? I want to remember everything about tonight.”

Brandon asks, phone already in hand. He slings his arm over my shoulder and pulls me in before I can respond.

“Say cheese!”

He laughs before smacking a kiss on my cheek and I’m blinded by a quick flash.

I just smile and shake my head before lighting my cigarette.

Jake raises his eyebrows at me.

“I’m usually not the one who gets kissed in photos,”

I explain, answering the question in his eyes. Kay has always been the center of guys’ attention, but for the first time tonight, with him looking at me like that, maybe I'm sort of glad she's not around.

“You should be,”

Brandon says, his tone playful as I tear my eyes away from Jake to look at him again. He puts his hands on my shoulders and takes a small step back to look at me, the intensity of his gaze making me shift a little, uncomfortable. “You’re fucking hot.”

“Thanks,”

I start to say, but as I tuck my lighter back in my bra, I realize I don't feel my pills.

“Fuck!”

I feel around carefully, not wanting to give these guys a free show, but it's no use. They're gone.

“What’s wrong?”

Jake asks, stepping closer to me.

“I think I lost my pills. They were just here,”

I crouch down as best I can without flashing the people behind me, and the guys pull out their phones to light up the sidewalk, but I don't see them.

“That sucks. Can you get any more?”

Brandon asks, putting away his phone.

“No.”

Even though I wasn't going to take them tonight, I hate that I don't have them anymore. I learned a while ago to save what I was given, so I that don’t go through withdrawals after running out of pills or the money for more.

“Let’s go back inside. I’ve had enough fresh air for now,”

Jake finally suggests, already pushing himself off the wall, grabbing my hand, and pulling me with him.

“Yeah, okay,”

I say, taking one more drag and tossing my cigarette.

We get inside and make our way toward the room I was in with Kendra earlier. I spot her across the room and wave. She flashes me a wink and waves us over. We weave through the crowd, bodies bumping into us as we move.

The DJ is perched on a makeshift stage at the back, the pulsing beat vibrating through the air. The room is buzzing now, a sea of bodies moving in every direction. People are dancing and jumping, caught up in the energy, while others lounge in the corners, their hands lighting up the darkness with neon trails as they watch the light shows.

"I love the way your dress feels,”

he says, his voice loud but barely enough to hear over the music. His eyes roam over my face as his hands play with the fabric, exploring my body. He pulls me closer while walking me back towards the wall.

“That’s your friend, right?”

He asks and nods over my shoulder. I turn and nod back at him when I see Kendra has moved and is now leaning against the wall, her hips swaying with the beat.

“Dance with us?”

He asks her before settling me between them.

Kendra’s hands grab me from behind, pulling me back until I'm pressed against her, my head falling against her shoulder as Jake’s hands land on my hips. His eyes leave mine before nodding at Kendra. She slowly drags her hands up my torso, and Jake moves a knee between my legs.

I can't hear their breathing over the music, but I can see the rapid rise and fall of Jake's chest with each breath, and I can feel Kendra moving against my back. My heart pounds louder than the bass, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

My eyes flutter shut, letting me focus on the sensations as I feel Jake pull back, and his hand trails its way from my hip to the space between my thighs. My eyes snap open, locking on his and the question in his heated gaze.

“Just relax,”

Kendra whispers, her lips brushing my neck before she pulls my ear between her teeth.

I tell myself to just go with it, that if nothing less, I deserve this, so I nod my head, giving him permission before closing my eyes again and willing my body to relax. There’s really no difference between this and what I thought I would be using Silas for tonight.

He squeezes my thigh firmly before letting go and rubbing soft, feather-like circles over the fabric of my underwear with just enough pressure to send shivers racing down my spine. Kendra slowly moves, one hand sliding up to cup my breast before slipping it under my dress, pinching my nipple, and smiling against my neck.

I moan and my hips jerk as Jake pushes my panties to the side, swiping his finger through the wetness gathering there and rubbing my clit. He moves a hand to my throat and squeezes it lightly at the same time as a finger slips inside me, and I bite my lip to stop from crying out, even though no one would hear me over the music.

The song changes, and it’s quiet for a moment as the beat builds up again, so I slam a hand over my mouth, quieting my moans as Jake’s finger pumps into me with the beat.

I open my eyes as Jake leans in and says something that has Kendra lifting her head and my pussy clenches. He presses in a second finger, stretching me as his hand flexes around my throat, and I stare, transfixed, as he starts kissing her.

The music, the crowd around us that could spot us at any moment, her pinching my nipple, and his hand around my throat, have me trembling. Holding my breath and desperate for my climax, I spread my legs a little wider. Reaching down to pull my dress up higher, I start rubbing my clit, rocking myself against Jake’s hand.

Jake rips his mouth from Kendra and brings it to my ear before shouting over the music, “Fuck I wish it was my dick that was buried in your tight pussy. Look at how sexy you are riding my hand like a dirty slut.”

My pussy clenches, my walls spasming around his fingers as my orgasm builds faster with his words, “Yeah, that's it baby, cum on my fucking hand.”

I close my eyes, squeezing so hard that tiny stars dance across the darkness. My eyes roll to the back of my head, and my muscles are so tight that my body twitches involuntarily. He curls his fingers again, and I cum.

He doesn't let up as he fingers me through my orgasm, not slowing down until I feel a gush, and look down, surprised to see a large wet spot on Jake’s pants.

“That’s fucking hot.”

He yells, his voice thick and filled with pride. I can see the bulge in his jeans, the shape of his big dick clear through the tight fabric and I panic. The last ten minutes crash into me like a tidal wave. I’ve never done anything like this before. The most action I’ve gotten in public was all those girls kissing me earlier tonight.

“Holy shit, did you just squirt?”

Kendra yells in my ear when she looks down and sees Jake and me both staring down at his leg between my thighs. He pulls his fingers from my pussy and looks me in the eyes as he slips them straight into his mouth. His eyes never leave mine as he smirks around his fingers.

Pulling my dress back down, I grab Kendra’s hand, squeezing past Jake, and rush to the bathroom. The door swings open with a push as girls move out of the way, and the dim light inside offers cover from what I'm sure is a bright red face.

I shift impatiently in line with my soaked legs until a stall finally opens and I go in to clean myself. I walk back to Kendra and splash cool water on my face as laughter bubbles up. Risking the dirty bathroom floor, I balance on one foot while wiping the other, sighing as we move away from the sink to lean against the wall.

“I don't know what that was.”

I don't regret it, but I've never done anything with someone I wasn't dating, let alone a stranger.

“You had a good time. That’s all it has to mean.”

She shrugs. “I’m gonna head back out there. You good?”

“Yeah.”

I walk back over to the sink and stare in the mirror. My hands linger on the counter when I'm done, fingers tracing the edge of the sink as I try to pull myself together. I look exactly how I did before, but I can still feel and hear him whispering in my ear.

Shaking my head, I smile at how ridiculous I'm being and move out of the way when a girl exits the stall and needs to wash her hands. I hop onto the counter and check my phone, realizing I have some missed calls from Kay.

“Hey,”

she answers right away, “we’re heading back that way. You ready?”

She's yelling because even in the bathroom, it’s loud.

“I’m in the bathroom,”

I put my mouth to the phone and cup my hand around it, “but I can meet you out front. How far are you?”

“About 20 minutes. See you soon.”

She hangs up, and I scroll through old pictures, a dumb time to take a stroll down memory lane, but I can't stop myself. It isn’t until I’m crying that I put my phone away. I wipe at the tears desperately, hoping none of the girls in here notice.

I try to focus on their conversations. A pretty blonde girl starts telling a story about the threesome she saw in the backroom, explaining it in such detail that I feel like I am a part of it. It takes me an embarrassing amount of time to realize I was a part of it.

The girl closest to me won't stop petting my dress, despite my attempts to remove her hand. My skin is still oversensitive, but she keeps humming and flipping the sequins.

3o minutes pass by before Kay texts that she's here, and I rush outside.

“Hey, where’s the fire?”

a voice teases, catching me as I stumble.

I glance up and meet crystal-clear blue eyes. Jake. Has he been here waiting for me this whole time?

“Oh, hi. No fire,”

I laugh awkwardly, “my friend is just here to pick me up, that's all.”

“Oh, ok, well, can I get your number? I’d love to call you sometime.”

He pulls his phone out and hands it to me. He smiles when I hand it back, leaning in for a kiss. I stand on my toes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. My heart is racing as I turn to walk away.

As I step back out into the cool night, my phone buzzes in my hand with a text.