Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
I must’ve done something to draw his attention to my fingers because he asked, “So what’s with the Band-Aids?”
Before I could reply, Emil came to my rescue. “He burned himself, and that takes a long time to heal.”
“Sorry, dude,” Justin said, and when Emil’s gaze met mine, he winked. Damn, I didn’t know why he’d done that when I hadn’t ever been honest with him about my hands, but fuck, I appreciated it.
Emil rooted around in a drawer and brought out a box of pot gummies. He gave one each to Justin and Leah, then popped another in his mouth. Apparently, this was standard routine for them.
“Want one?” Emil asked, placing one for me in the palm of his hand.
“I’ve never taken one,” I replied hesitantly.
“Really?” Justin asked, but I didn’t feel like he was judging me.
“No, I’ve only ever had sips of beer with my best friend, Pete.” My face heated because I hoped I didn’t sound inexperienced, which I totally was.
“Ugh, alcohol gives me headaches,” Leah said. “Plus, I can’t stand the taste. I’d take an edible any day of the week.”
“How does it make you feel?” I asked.
“It relaxes me,” Emil said. “Since it’s your first time, just nibble off a corner, and if that sits right, you can eat the rest later.”
So I did, and as we sat there chatting and laughing, I didn’t think the pot was going to do anything until suddenly it hit me, how tranquil I felt. My head was a little spinny but not too bad, so I probably took just the right amount.
I realized how fun it was just hanging and chatting with other students. I never had this before with other dancers, not really. Oh, there were overnighters and friendly get-togethers, but the parents and teachers were always there chaperoning.
“Ready to head to the clubhouse?”
Justin and Leah hopped up, but I was uncertain and wondered if I should just head home. As if reading my hesitation, Emil linked his arm with mine and led me out the door. Suppose I’d never know what these parties were like if I didn’t experience them first-hand. I had never been into crowded gatherings, but maybe this would be more low-key. Yeah right.
We walked in the direction of the stadium again, which was close to the road and some distance beyond the Performing Arts building, where Henry admitted he passed through to watch me dance. Goose bumps lined my skin as I thought about returning the favor by using the exit close to the field after class just so I could watch Emil—and okay, Henry—practice.
As we neared the stadium parking lot, the clubhouse came into view. It was located inside the stadium and looked like any other door—could’ve been a storage closet for all I knew. I could hear music and voices every time someone came in or out.
We stepped inside to a crowded room, and I groaned internally. Still, I followed their lead as we moved toward the snack table. The pizza looked mostly devoured as we passed by the boxes toward the drinks.
There were water and soda bottles available, and after I grabbed one, I noticed that people were mixing their drinks with a bottle of booze being passed around. Emil and Justin topped their drinks off with it, but Leah and I declined.
Instead, I gravitated to the bowls of chips and candy, grabbing a handful of Skittles and shoving them in my mouth because who didn’t like sugary treats? And okay, I was also starving all of a sudden. Wasn’t that a cliché?
As I popped a few more colors in my mouth, my gaze connected with Henry’s across the room. He seemed stunned that I was there but also something else—pleased? He smiled at me right as a blonde girl with big bangs plopped down on his lap—I thought probably a cheerleader because she looked familiar, like maybe she had been down on the field beside the girl Justin liked.
My stomach churned even though Henry looked uncomfortable as she turned to speak to him. Still, he didn’t ask her to move, so maybe he was just polite to a fault or maybe his sexuality was more fluid than I thought. I tried not to stare as they laughed about something and then blew out a breath when she finally stood up, only to be replaced by someone else.
“Look who’s here,” Leah said to Justin, motioning toward his crush. “Go talk to her.”
“Maybe after some liquid courage,” he said, tipping his cup.
I hear you, Justin. Now that Henry and I were together at a party, would he even speak to me in front of all these people? Not that I was much better. We kept making eye contact, but neither of us was brave enough to approach the other. To be fair, this was essentially his turf and I was only a guest.