Page 14 of Escaping Our Reality

But for some strange reason, it matters what happens to her.

Chapter 7

CRUTCH

Working on my Western Civ paper after that was a moot point. I packed my computer bag, stored it in my truck, and I’ve been watching Lulu like a creep from the corner of the living room for the past thirty minutes.

She doesn’t really fit in. And you can tell she hates small talk. Even more than that, you can tell she doesn’t have the patience to talk to stupid people. Which actually plays out nicely—nearly everyone here is high or drunk, rendering even the smart ones a little moronic.

Amber gave up on her quest of bagging me and currently has her tongue down the throat of some guy with a tattoo on his forehead of two people fucking and some kind of chain connecting his nose ring to his earring. When I turn my eyes back to Lulu, she’s gone. I don’t see her anywhere, and a small fire of panic swirls into my throat.

My brother’s loud, cough-filled laugh draws my attention, and when he shifts to the side, I see Lulu standing beside him, talking to another guy and girl. The second my brother’s arm snakes around her shoulder, I find myself pushing through the crowd.

Why?

Who the hell knows?

Do I plan on giving my dumbass brother a bloody nose simply for putting his arm around a girl? A girl I don’t know. A girl I don’t care about. A girl who could have him thrown in jail.

Oddly, I think the answer to all the above is yes.Hell yes,to be more precise.

“Look at this girl, y’all. My new friend, Ella. Didn’t I tell you she had the best fucking legs you’ve ever seen. Miles long.” He turns to her, rubbing his nose against her earlobe. “I bet you look great in shorts.”

I’m gonna kill him.

Lulu’s straight spine stiffens even more. “You’re right, Trash. Your parties are great. I’ll be right back. Just need to use the ladies’ room.” She sneaks out from under his arm right when I’m within reaching distance. Catching my eye, she smirks and quickly darts into the hallway.

That little minx.

I don’t make it past my brother before he’s wrapping his arms around me for a hug. “Bro! I’m so glad you came inside. You need to stop being a pussy and doing homework all the time. You need to get some actual pussy.” Laughing, he stumbles, sloshing beer on my shirt.

Please. I’ve had more pussy in the past three months than he’s had in the past three years.

“Here, I have something for you.” He shoves a little plastic bag with three pills inside—blue, white, and pink—into the pocket of my long-sleeve T-shirt. “I know you never take, but you’ve been so stressed out lately. It’s my gift to you. Late Christmas present.”

I don’t remember my brother ever getting me a Christmas present.

Knowing he’s too messed up to even remember this conversation, I just nod my head and turn down the hall. There she is. Standing in front of the bathroom door, she’s talking to Christina, one of the hardcore girls.

I went to high school with Christina. She’s two years older than me. She used to be smart. Wasn’t that bad to look at.Now, she looks terrible. Absolutely terrible. She just got released from jail a couple of weeks ago. I don’t even know what she was in for this last time. She’s already had three kids by three different guys, and all three have been taken away by Child Protective Services. Skin and bones, she shakes just standing there. Touching her face, she picks at an imaginary spot on her chin, scratching a scab that’s already been picked a hundred times over.

The only thing surprising about Christina is that she still carries a camera around her neck. She was really big into photography back in high school. I’m actually surprised she hasn’t pawned the camera for drug money, because Lord knows she’s sold anything and everything she can for her next high—including herself from what I’ve been told.

She stares at Lulu with sunken eyes.

“So, my sister used to come to these parties. I was out of town for a long time, so I wasn’t able to come with her. But she had planned to bring me. She wanted me to get in the game.”

Get in the game?Shehasbeen watching too many TV shows.

She reaches up again, rubbing the back of her neck. “You know, the pill game. She went missing. So, I’m just trying to pick up where she left off. You know, meet the needs of my friends. Hey, maybe you know her. Carrie? Carrie Hill?”

She’s so bad at this. She might as well be wearing a neon sign that says ‘Narc’.

Right then, some people from the living room cheer, and a hush of whispers travel through the crowd. “Trey! Bout time you showed up.”

Fuck me.

Time to go.

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