Page 9 of The Things That Hold Us

“Charlie! Taxi is here! Let's go!” I hear Cassie call from the other side of the bar.

My eyes meet his, and he's looking at me as if he wants to beg me to stay.

“I better go.” I tell him.

“Do you have to?” he asks, and I feel my stomach twist.

“Yeah, I do.” I say. But before I can walk away, he grabs my hand, pulls it to his lips, and plants a feather soft kiss on it.

“Thank you, for dancing with me.” he says, then lets me go.

I should say something. I should tell him I want to do this again. That I want to see him again.

But I don't. I just turn, and walk towards the exit.

As I catch up with Cassie and Nathaniel, I turn back one last time and see him still standing there, watching me with a light smile on his lips. Not knowing what’s come over me, I wave bye, and blow him a kiss.

He reaches out and pretends to catch it, then puts his hand to his chest.

Butterflies.

So many freaking butterflies.

What did I just do? And why do I want more?

Chapter Three

daddy?

Pain.

So. Much. Pain.

This morning, I’m brutally reminded of why I don't drink this morning.

When I went to the bar last night, I had zero intention of drinking as much as I did. I planned on just having a couple glasses of wine and then going home. In all honesty, in my mind I already knew I would be miserable the whole time, but I wasn't. I actually had fun. I got out of my shell a little bit, and it was nice.

But this morning, I kind of regret it.

“Here, take this, and drink this.”

I startle at the voice. Cassie is standing next to my bed, holding out pain medicine and a sprite.

“How long have you been standing there?” I ask her, my voice scratchy and throat dry.

I sit up, down the pills and some sprite, and pull the covers up under my chin.

“Well I’ve been here all night. But I’ve been standing here for about 5 minutes trying to wake you up.” she laughs.

She sits down at the end of my bed, “So, someone enjoyed herself a little bit last night.”

There's something mischievous in her tone.

“I did...” I say, eyeing her cautiously.

“Do you not remember?” she laughs.

Oh god. What did I do?

---