Not in That Way

33: not in that way

I feel myself deflate. On one hand, I couldn't care less if he told people. As of now, I'm certain Ethan and I are done for. On the other hand, I can't risk embarrassing myself in front of all these people. Martin has me in the palm of his hands.

I look over my shoulder at Taylor, who's frowning at me. She opens her mouth to say something, but Martin cuts her to the chase. "Stay here, baby," he tells her. "We're just going to show her around. Right, Alli?"

"Right," I whisper and let him pull me up the stairs like a rag doll. I force a smile onto my face as I trail behind him. He's holding my elbow in a vicelike grip, and no matter how much I struggle against him, it's futile to even try.

"Where are you taking me?" I demand as he guides me down a dim hallway. He's not saying anything in return and I feel my stomach lurch as he continues dragging me, until we reach a closed door.

He swings the door open and in there are Josh and Adrian lounging around on a purple couch. The room is quite enormous, and Josh is digging through a mini-fridge when we make our way in. He sets his beer bottle on the coffee table in front of the couch and stands up straighter. "Hey," he says, smiling at me.

I don't return the smile. Instead, I look over at Adrian who's frozen in his spot and staring at me with wide eyes. His gaze drops to Martin's arm around me and he swallows. His face blanches. "Guys, I don't—,"

"Allison here would like a drink," Martin cuts him off and gives me a pat on the back. The force of the pat felt much rather like a smack and it sent me hurling forward until I practically choke on my own saliva. I gasp for breath and fall into the couch, in-between Josh and Adrian.

Adrian is tense beside me, looking at me from the corner of his eye. "Here." He gives me his Coke can. "Take this," he mutters.

"I don't think that's what he meant, but okay," Josh says from beside me. He throws an arm around the back of the couch so he's touching my shoulders. My skin starts to crawl and I lean onto Adrian. He looks at me from the corner of his eyes.

"Did you get it?" Josh questions Martin.

"Yeah." Martin rummages through his pocket. He lays out some white rocks on the table. When I realise what it is, my stomach lurches and my eyes almost bulge out of my own head. Crystal meth. Fuck, I've got to get out of here.

"I need to pee," I quickly blurt out.

Josh waves a dismissive hand around. "Go later." His leg is bouncing up and down and his pupils are dilated. I'm fairly certain he's already ingested something else.

"Allison, you can be first today." Martin gestures to the table in front of him.

I sniffle. "I don't want to."

Adrian shifts beside me.

Martin's jaw clenches and he gives me the look. "What did we discuss before?" He nods. "Go on."

"What have I ever done to you?" I cry out.

Martin throws an arm around the back of the couch he's sitting on. "You're always sticking your nose into things that don't concern you. Maybe you should stick your nose into something more useful." He looks proud of his own sick joke. He points to the crystals on the table. "Now do it."