Three Hundred Words by Adelaide Cross Read Free Book Online

days, I’d
probably swear off relationships for a long time.
     
    When I had my A
secured, I could start the long road to forgiving myself for what I’d done.
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
    Emma was a mess
and keeping up with her was becoming incredibly hard work. We’d made it to our
final destination without much of a hiccup, but someone had just fed her some
more of the drug, despite me warning her not to take it, and her saucer-wide
eyes were sparkling with happiness.
     
    She’d danced with
and hugged practically everyone in the club by this point and I knew she’d got
some pretty funny looks. Plenty of people knew exactly what was wrong with her
and some had tried to take advantage. I’d been the good friend and stepped in
when some older guy had put two hands on her bum.
     
    Emma had thanked
me profusely afterwards and insisted that I dance with her.
     
    I’d drank my fair
share, too, but nothing was going to be enough to help me ignore the pressure
of Luke’s presence. He hadn’t tried to talk to me tonight, but I’d seen him
fixing me with plenty of puzzled, sad stares throughout the night. Being occupied
by Emma had almost been a godsend.
     
    We were dancing
together now, Emma grinding against me in a far too explicit manner. She was
definitely completely out of it. Still, I was forced to move with her to avoid
looking awkward, and she definitely looked like she was having the best
birthday possible. “What’s up with you and Luke?”
     
    I blinked. “I
thought you were too far gone to notice,” I chuckled.
     
    “Never. So, you
didn’t break up with him yet, but something’s gone off.”
     
    “He tried to sleep
with me and I kind of ran out,” I went to scratch the back of my head in
embarrassment, but Emma caught my hand and linked her fingers through it. “It
was stupid. I haven’t talked to him since it happened. I’m breaking up with him
tomorrow.”
     
    “Ah, good. Don’t
keep him hanging. He’s a good guy.”
     
    My mood hadn’t
been spectacular anyway, but this was a sure-fire way to kill it. “Yeah, I
know.”
     
    “Hey, there’s Maurice,”
that was the guy who’d given her the drugs tonight. “Let’s go dance with him.”
     
    I was dragged
along the dance floor and past Luke. He attempted to grab my arm and stop me,
but I dodged and gave an apologetic shrug. Emma was probably fine with this
guy, she knew him from ballet, but I was quite happy to avoid Luke for as long
as possible.
     
    We moved easily in
time with the music. Dancing had always been one thing I felt pretty
comfortable with, because I only ever did it when I was wasted. Had I been
sober, I’d have been stood in the corner wishing desperately that I could go
home.
     
    Part of me
wondered if being the state Emma was in would be perfect for me. I’d have no
inhibitions, then, just complete euphoria. She did look awfully happy. “Hi!”
She hugged Maurice before starting up a horribly intimate dance with him. He’d
not taken anything tonight, but he was smashed off trebles and returned her
grinding immediately.
     
    I danced by
myself, trying not to feel too awkward. When I felt fingertips brushing against
my own, I jumped. It was Mr. Lane, but he’d already turned to walk in the
opposite direction, apparently implying that I should follow. I spared Emma a
final glance, but she couldn’t do anything too bad in the few minutes I’d be
gone. Maurice was her friend, too. He could spend some time looking after her.
     
    Mr. Lane led me to
the edge of the building by weaving through the crowds and not looking back. It
was quieter out here and he appraised my appearance when I finally got to him. I’d
of course gone all out for Emma’s birthday party – a burgundy bodycon dress that
didn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination. My mum had been a bit horrified
when I asked her to give me a lift wearing it.
     
    If Oscar was
drunk, he didn’t show it. His expression was as controlled as ever, just