Page 123 of Habits

When I remember the reason behind my sudden need to find the oblivion in alcohol, the bile rises in my throat. Pressing my hand against my mouth, I push it down, the sour taste burning my throat.

I stay motionless for a while, and when I’m sure I’m not going to puke, I slowly get into a sitting position. Holding the blanket to my chest to hide my nakedness, I look around the room.

Maddaline’s house.

I’m in Maddalines’s house.

One of her guest rooms. I know because she once invited me and the other girls to sleep over, but of course we all had to sleep in our own rooms.

I want to sigh in relief, but then my eyes land on the shirt at the foot of the bed.

Patrick’s shirt.

So that means … my thighs press against one another, and I can feel the uncomfortable, slightly burning sensation between my legs.

Closing my eyes, the hazy shots of what happened slowly start returning.

Kissing.

Groping.

Undressing.

I swallow down hard.

Sex.

I had sex with Patrick.

Where is he then?

I look around the room once again, although if I didn’t notice him before it’s not like he’ll jump out of the closet or something.

Quickly, I hop out of the bed. My legs are shaky. My whole body is, really, as I grab my clothes off the floor and start dressing myself.

He left his shirt, so he couldn’t be that far. And he can’t walk around naked, so he’ll have to come back.

I can’t be naked when he returns.

I can’t let him see me naked.

He already saw you naked.

The panic returns in full force. I have to get out of here.

Giving the room one final look to make sure I have all my things, I start toward the door, only to find it slightly ajar.

My cold, shaky fingers wrap around the doorknob.

“I can’t believe you actually did that!”

“Maddy …” There is a warning note to his voice, but there is also something else. Nervousness.

“When I suggested that you flirt with her and get her to fall for you, I never in a million years thought you’d actually succeed in doing it, much less take it a step further!”

The blood in my veins turns to ice, my racing heart slowing down until I can barely feel it beat.

“Maddy, I don’t know what you have against her. She’s nice and…”

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