Breathe by Ani San Read Free Book Online Page B

trying not to make a sound, although I was sure Andrew knew I was back here.
    ‘ Next time, lets not do the helmets, ok?’ Andrew finally broke their silence.
    ‘ Hey, it was your idea. Just put the clothes under the table, and get it later. I’m borrowing the helmet.’
    ‘ I’ve got room in the car, if you want me to drive you somewhere.’
    ‘ I don’t think so. I’ll see you later. Lunch at the club tomorrow?’ I didn’t hear the answer, but I could hear hands clashing together, and pictured a high five. Then the door opened and closed again, and Christopher stood in front of me with another helmet, grinning at me.
    ‘ Do you want to go for a ride?’
    I looked up at him. ‘Where?’
    ‘ Anywhere,’ he answered.
    ‘ Are you sure you should drive? Haven’t you been drinking?’ I didn’t know the limit in Britain, but I was sure it wasn’t as strict as in Norway. I didn’t want to be a riding with someone under the influence, though.
    ‘ How much do you think I got from the straw? I’m completely sober. Besides, it’s so hot in there, that I probably lost more fluid than I drank. I wish this place had a shower.’ He reached for my hand and I grab it while staggering to the floor. I could swear the ground was moving.
    ‘ I have a shower,’ I said while trying to get a hold of my balance. I wasn’t completely aware of my words.
    He gaped at me for a second. ‘You, on the other hand, are obliviously not sober. How much have you had to drink today?’ he asked, scrutinizing me.
    ‘ Not much,’ I lied.
    ‘ Enough to invite me home for a shower?’
    I blush ed all over. Should I take it back? Did I realise what I just implied?
    ‘ Yes’ I answered both Christopher and myself.
    ‘ Well, then I’m going to take you up on that offer.’ He reached for his jacket and phone, and started to dress. ‘You won’t regret it.’
    ‘ Hey, you know I just said shower, right?’
    ‘ I know!’ He was grinning his smug smile again, and gave me Andrews helmet.
    ‘ Maybe you need a cold shower’ I muttered as I follow him towards the door.

Chapter 4
     
    «All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.»
- J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
     
     
    He put his helmet back on, before exiting the door. I didn’t see the point at first, since I already knew it was him. Then I realised that it would be a problem being recognised by someone else, while leaving a bar with another woman. The other woman being me, excited me more than it should. I got out first and headed for the stairs before he grabbed my hand. He pointed towards a door in the opposite end. I could see a sign above marked Exit , it was probably the door the employees used. Christopher seemed to know this place a little too well. If this was planned, I hadn’t giving him much fight. In fact, I was ready to throw myself at him.
    As soon as he opened the door, I could feel the cool breeze waking me up. Soft light from a streetlight above shined on a stone stairwell. He stepped out, but I didn’t follow.
    ‘I need to get my jacket and tell Alice I’m leaving. I’ll meet you outside, ok?’
    He paused a second before l etting go of me. Then he reached for the helmet in my other arm and nodded. It went dark as the door closed between us. The doubt hit me as soon as I was alone. What if he left without me? What if he didn’t hear me, and thought I backed out? I ran down the hall towards the public exit, but half way up the stairs I turned around. I had to let Alice know I was leaving.
    The crowed were thinning, and I had a clear path towards Alice. She was sitting by the same table, leaning forward to Kiro, who was leaning in too. They were whispering into each other ears, and seemed quite intimate. I abruptly stopped a few feet away from them when I noticed Kiros hand stroking her thigh. Kiro and Alice? I hadn’t seen that one coming. But there were no time to ponder that now. I interrupted them to tell her I was leaving.   
    ‘ Are you