Page 64 of Lessons In Grey

“I’m going home,” I told her and headed for the stairs, my head buzzing. Shit. Shit. Shit.

I called Grey.

The phone rang.

And rang.

And rang.

I got to the bottom of the stairs, nearly falling over a woman giving some guy a blowjob.

“Emily.”

His voice sent a wave of relief through me as I shoved through the crowd, searching for the front door. Fuck, where was it? “Some guy from my publishing class just tried to drug me,” I explained in a panic. “Please come and get me. Please.”

There was a slight pause, a grunt from the distance, and then a shuffle. “I’m on my way, baby.”

My heart stuttered when I finally saw the open door. “Did Ash give you the location?”

I heard his car door shut. “I already have it. The best way to stay invisible is to change your appearance. He’s looking for you.”

I slowed, looking down at my clothes. The same thing I wore all the time. “Okay.”

“Be there soon.”

I hung up, shoving my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. Change my appearance? Shit, um…

I unzipped my jacket, peeling it off as I headed for the door, my skin breaking out in goosebumps as the wind from outside whirled inside.

I tied it around my hips and pulled my hair up, tying it in a high ponytail, tightening it painfully.

I got onto the porch. Shit, what else?

Makeup?

I rubbed my eyes hard, smearing the makeup around my eyes, wiping my lip gloss off and then rubbing my hands on my jeans, leaving streak marks across the black. Shit. It will come out.

I shivered violently as I headed down the steps, rubbing my arms. I had gotten in the habit of wearing tanktops under my sweaters. It was less sweltering, but shit. Should have gone with a t-shirt tonight.

Everything was fine.

I wrapped my arms around myself as I headed for the sidewalk, only to slow when I passed a group of girls talking about nothing, drinking. Shit. I couldn’t just leave the party vulnerable to that.

I rubbed my lips together, sending a glance back to the open doorway, my steps slowing. I had to tell someone. I couldn’t leave in good conscious knowing that sure, I was safe, but what about everyone else?

I inhaled deeply and walked up to the group. “Hey,” I called above the music.

The five girls turned to me, judging, angry, looking me over with suspicion.

I rubbed my arms again, this time out of nerves. “This guy, Isaac Doughrty, he tried to drug me. Yellow shirt, blue jeans. The drinks he is holding are drugged too most likely.”

They all exchanged glances before turning back to me, their expressions shifting to irritation and worry. “You okay?” one of the girls asked.

“Did you need us to call someone?”

“Someone is coming,” I explained. “I don’t know if he’s the only one, just needed to tell you before I left.”

“Thanks, girl,” another woman said. “Come on,” she motioned to her friend, “we gotta spread the word.”