Loud music and sweaty hands grabbing everyone around them. The dirty air nearly choking me as I press myself against a corner thinking, just, why. Why did I agree to be the damn designated driver at a club? Why would they ask that of me when they knew I couldn't say no?
When they knew I was afraid of saying no. To anyone.
"Come on, Laura!" Screams Natalie, appearing out of no where. "Dance!"
She's obviously drunk. Her frizzy red hair standing like she's been electrocuted and her purple eye shadow smeared up to her eyebrows.
I slip away before she can say anything else. Guiding my slim frame through the countless dancers, wincing whenever a hand would brush against me.
I managed to reach the bathroom, five times dirtier than the club itself. I walk to the sink and stare into the mirror.
The florescent lights making it look as though my eyes were bloodshot - or maybe they were, I don't know. My soft brown hair cascading in a perfect waterfall down my back. My bright green eyes looking permenantly surprised, as always.
I'll say it. I'm pretty. But I wish I wasn't. After my past, attention, well, it's the last thing I want.
I exhale deeply. And then suddenly terror grips me.
I have to leave.
Now.
I grab my purse and back out of the bathroom. I need to leave. I need to leave. I need to leave. I don't care that I'm the designated driver. Natalie and Devlyn can take a cab.
And suddenly I'm running down a street and it's so dark out and I don't remember leaving the club and I don't know where I'm going and oh god what if he's out here and-
CRASH.
"Holy shit, are you okay?"
I look up from where I am on the ground and gasp. I can't see his face. It's too dark out. But he's tall.
"I'm fine!" I scream, hysterically. "I'm fine, leave me alone!"
The man crouches down next to me and I try to shrink away.
Close up, I can see his face. Blue-green eyes, black and blue hair. Strikingly familiar. But.. I can't put my finger on it. The vague familiarness makes me all the more terrified.
"Hey, do you need a ride? My buddy Matt is just about to pick me up." He offers.
I open my mouth and start making a weird choking sound, remembering his words from all those years ago.You know what happens if you say no to me, Laur..
"Okay." I mutter.
This isn't good.
Not at all.