Fuck, no.
And he’s definitely not supposed to spank his student.
So many things are wrong with this, on so many different levels, and still, I can’t stop thinking about it. Even now, it makes me blush. I don’t blush. Ever.
Fuck me. I’ve really lost it this time.
“You okay?” Lesley asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow when you have today?” She bites her lip as she grabs my hand and pulls me back into the crowd. “C’mon, let’s dance.”
“I haven’t finished my drink,” I say, quickly taking a sip.
“Drink it while we dance, I don’t care. Just have fun and enjoy yourself. You obviously need it. You’ve been so tense lately.”
“Tell me about it,” I say, taking another sip as we walk to the middle of the dance floor.
“Something’s up with you,” she says. “You’re still hiding shit, aren’t you?”
I shrug and shake my head. “Nah. You’re delusional.”
“Right.” She smiles. “I’m gonna pull it out of you one day. Just wait.”
“Sure, you will,” I say, taking the last sip. “But first … let’s party!” I shout out loud, and the crowd goes along, then I throw my cup in the air and spin.
Like two crazy chicks, we dance, not giving a shit what anyone thinks of our wacky moves. I’m just doing my thing, shaking my hips, bobbing to the beat, and enjoying the music. I’m drifting away into my own wonderland where everything is perfect and tomorrow is a long way to go. I don’t wanna be anywhere but here—far, far away from reality and the homework I was supposed to do.
But somehow, that single thought pulls me right back into the moment. In my head, I still hear his voice, pushing me not to disappoint him.
Goddammit.
“Hey, I’m gonna grab another drink. Want one too?” Lesley asks.
“Nah, I’m good.”
She leaves and I continue to sway my hips in the air, not giving a shit who’s watching. Some dude dances beside me, and I don’t mind, as long as he doesn’t touch me. I’m game for talking, but no personal details, only fun things. If they ask me for a name, I don’t give them any. They call me the redhead or ‘that girl with the nose piercing,’ which is fine by me.
As long as they don’t get too close, I’m good.
After a while, I start to wonder where Lesley’s at. She’s probably getting smashed somewhere. I should probably stop her because she’s bad when it comes to alcohol. Pretty much the same as I am. We drink until we’re laughing our asses off, and then we go home.
Except I can’t fucking see her anywhere. Frowning, I search for her until I find her near the minibar, taking a beer from a dude I don’t even recognize, let alone know.
I make my way over there, watching her from afar. They’re talking, but another guy steps in and holds out his phone to her. She laughs as he shows her something, but there’s no smile on my face. The dude who handed her the beer casually hovers his fingers over the tip of the bottle.
I hurry my pace when I see her bring the bottle to her lips.
“Les, don’t!” I yell, but it’s already too late. She’s already drunk the beer and the guys beside her disappear into the crowds. Fuck.
“What’s wrong with—” Lesley shouts back as I rip the bottle away from her hand.
“It’s spiked.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“C’mon, we’re outta here.” I grab her hand and pull her with me through the room, carefully checking for anyone who will stop us. I know why they gave this to her, and I’m not letting them get their hands on her again. I’d fucking kill them myself if they ever touch her.
“Oh, god …” she mumbles, and she stumbles behind me.
I barely manage to hold her up. “Don’t fall,” I say. “Let’s get home quickly.”
“I don’t feel so good.”
“I know, but you gotta hold on.” I put my arm under her shoulder and pull her with me, eyeing the boys in the room. One of them gazes straight back at me, and I just know it was him. I can tell from the way he looks, and for a second, I actually contemplate going over to him and smacking the ever-living shit out of him. However, I can’t leave her alone, not even for a minute, so I give him a big middle finger from across the room and drag Lesley out.
“Whe-ere are w-we going?” Lesley stutters, her face droopy.
“Home,” I say, pulling her across the parking lot.
“Home where?”
“Our dorm.”
“Oh … right.” She giggles out loud.
“You’re smashed,” I say as I bring her to a bench. “Sit down.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to call a cab.”
“Can’t you drive?”
“We didn’t come here in my car; we came here in a cab.”
“Oh, shit. I forgot.” She laughs again. “Sorry.”
“I know; it’s not your fault.” I sigh while I dial the number.
When I’m done ordering the cab, I sit down beside her and put my hand on her forehead. “You’re heating up.”
She puts her head on my shoulder. “I feel like I need to puke.”
“If you do, don’t throw up on me. Lean that way.” I point at the bush next to her.
“I don’t know. Maybe I can keep it together. At least ‘til we’re home.”
I pat her back and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
I’m fuming. How could that motherfucker drug her? And why did she let it happen? She should’ve known better.
“I’m sorry, Hailey,” she mutters out of nowhere.
“Shh …” I say, rubbing her. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I got you outta there before they got their hands on you.”
“I feel so dizzy. I just know it’s something bad. GHB maybe.”
I nod. “Want me to call a doctor too?”
“Nah … I just wanna sleep it off.” She yawns. “I’m so fucking tired all the sudden.”
“That’s the drugs. You were still dancing only minutes ago.”
“Fuckers. I should’ve known this would happen. That party was too good to be true.”
“I know, lots of older guys too. And too much booze, it was suspicious.”
“Exactly.” She tries to fist bump me but fails, laughing again. “Thanks”—she looks up at me—“for always having my back.”
“Of course. That’s what friends are for, right?”
“To stop you from drinking booze.” She puts her arm around me and hugs me. “To stop me from getting pounded in a van by a guy I don’t even know. Or worse.”
I don’t say anything. I just grab her hand and hold her tight because that’s the only right thing to do.
“You’re squashing me with your boobs,” she says, coughing.
I laugh and release her. “Sorry.”
She turns her head toward me and gloats like a shithead. “The force is strong with these.”