Lou Teasdale's Niece (H.S.)

1. Here Comes Trouble

With my single carry-on bag slung over my shoulder, and a frown on my face I turned back to look at my mom. She was crying in the arms of my step-dad. She has absolutely no reason to cry, and that's why I have no sympathy for her; she did this herself.

2 days earlier

"You wanna line?"

My eyes barely registered the plate with three thick lines of cocaine before I was slamming my drink down and hastily accepting the cool material along with the bud he offered. I rested the wrap in my mouth, biting to keep it in place before balancing the plate in one hand. I took the bud from my mouth, lining it up with my nose before snorting. I could instantly feel my shoulders relax from the substance, my body hunching as I inhaled the whole three lines. The guy who handed me the plate reclaimed it before patting my back and mumbling, "have fun" before scampering away.

"Lexi"

The sickening voice almost made me gag, but I held it in. I turned around in the squeaky chair, sloppily due to the intoxication, and forced a smile as I greeted him. "I thought I told you not to call me that" There was only person who could call me that. And he's gone.

Ignoring my question he continued; "Can I get you a drink, babe" His hand latched onto my thigh and I tried not to vomit. My vision was beginning to cloud, my mind swirling, body relaxing.

"Hands off" I pried at his hand on my leg, but I was too weak to accomplish such a difficult task. "Relax" He whispered, but I could hear him over the thumping music. My parents speakers were bound to blow.

His voice eased my senses and once again I found myself leaning into him unwillingly. How many drinks have I had tonight? I looked up at this guy, who's name I can't seem to remember right now, and I found him smiling down at me. It was a mix between a friendly smile and an 'I-want-to-fuck-you smile.'

"You look real pretty, you know that?" Butter me up. Make me think you're sweet and kind so you can get in my pants. Many guys have played this game with me before; It never works. He's wasting his breath.

"I, just, I -where's the bathroom" I felt something retched and horrid bubble in my stomach and I held back a gag. I was expecting this guy to have some sort of sympathy towards me and appoint me to my destination, but no, he chose to laugh at me instead. "This is your house, you should know where the hell the bathroom is"

Slamming my fists down on the table, I pushed my chair out from beneath me and pulled down my dress. My best friend Stacy got it for me, claiming it was sexy. Personally I felt like a slut but whatever.

If this dickhead wouldn't help me find a bathroom, I'd suit myself. "Hey! Where you going?" I ignored him, wishing he'd go away, and continued my journey through my house. My head was spinning and I was beginning to feel the effects the cocaine had on me. My body felt like it was in a daze and my throat was burning, begging to release whatever drinks I chugged. I clamped my hand over my mouth when I felt it rise to my throat. I couldn't register what room I was in, my eyes were watering. I held the substance down for as long as I could, but that wasn't long enough.

People stopped dancing, the music stopped playing, and everything was silent as I hunched over and released whatever had been clogged up in my throat. It was oddly silent as it continued pouring out from inside me. I was unable to control it, unable to stop it. My eyes watered, and my hand desperately clutched whatever was in front of me. Nobody helped.

After I was done I spit a few times and grabbed a water bottle from the nearest table. I stood up on my wobbly legs and took a look around. Everybody was staring, but not at me. Curious as to what was going on, I looked over my shoulder and my breathing hitched.