Page 143 of Blood & Betrayals

“I told him we need a girls night.”

I nod, tapping on the messages from Con.

Connor

Home safe, babe?

I smile at the message and the care woven into those three words.

Summer

Just got home.

The three impatient dots immediately appear. He was obviously worried about me and waiting for my reply. He sent that first message around thirty minutes ago. No doubt if I’d delayed replying any longer, he’d have enlisted his brothers and become the most chaotic of search parties.

Connor

I miss you.

Summer

Miss you too, big guy.

“Right, enough of bird brain!” Alice exclaims as she jumps up and walks to the kitchen. She grabs six shot glasses and pours tequila into all of them.

“Girls night! Just you, me, and a bottle of tequila.”

Alice lifts a shot glass, waving it a little, beckoning me over. I’m impressed that she doesn’t spill a drop, even though the glass is filled to the brim with the golden liquid.

I push off the couch and take the glass from her, slamming the shot. The burn from the tequila is more pleasant than that of the heinous wine, deeper and darker. I slam another shot before I notice Alice watching me, guilt etched on her face. I freeze, my eyes narrowing on her. It’s the kind of look that tells me I’ll either be trying to get her out of something or exacting revenge on someone.

“What?” I ask her, knowing that she’s avoiding telling me. It’s funny how much Alice and I know each other. It’s like we have a lifetime of knowledge about one another, even though we’ve known each other for mere months.

“I, uh…” She smiles sheepishly, but there is a gleam in her eyes. Whatever she’s done, she’s proud of herself. “I might have stolen some of those funky mushrooms from the forest greenhouse.”

Well, this is a bad fucking idea, but I am going through so much at the moment. Someone was murdered on campus, someone who looks enough like me to be suspicious. Along with that, I am being hunted by a psycho male, potentially a murderer, and who the fuck knows what’s going on with the magic notebook and the invisible man? My life feels more chaotic and dramatic than Alice’s show. Escaping all of this for a short time is so very tempting. I know it won’t change anything, but I am so tired of feeling scared and weak, and we’re in the safety of our own dorm. I purse my lips and hold my hand out.

“Fuck it.”

Alice smirks as she drops one into my hand. Fuck, this looks like the least appetizing thing I’ve ever seen. It’s murky brown, and there’s a weird, sickly sheen to its wrinkled surface.

Alice pops hers into her mouth and chews thoughtfully. “Hm, not as bad as it looks. It’s just very earthy.”

I take a deep breath and count to three before placing the mushroom on my tongue. Grimacing, I hold my breath and start to chew the monstrosity. I guess the taste isn’t too bad, but the texture is truly disgusting.

Alice holds up another full shot glass. “Wash it down with this.” I take the shot, the tequila burning away the taste of the weird little mushroom. Alice flops down on the couch, pouting a little. “I don’t feel anything. Must have been a bad batch.”

I grab the tequila bottle and two shot glasses before curling up on the couch next to her. I pour us another two shots and hand one to her. Alice and I clink our glasses and down the drink. Four shots later, I blink and look around the room.

“Al?” I slowly turn my head to look at her. She’s rocking slightly and staring down at her hands with wide eyes. The room spins, and I shake my head, trying to clear the sensation, but that just makes it spin faster. The colors start to play with each other right in front of my eyes, doing unspeakable things with each other and birthing new colors.

“Hmm?” Alice finally replies, shifting her bleary, unfocused eyes to me. I tilt my head as I look at them. Her pupils seem to be changing shape. First, they’re oval, then square, then heart-shaped, then they start to look like lightning bolts. I burst out laughing, fumbling for my phone. I need to close one of my eyes to keep the phone from moving too much to operate. It takes me a few tries, but I finally get it unlocked and manage to get onto the music app. I choose the first suggestion, which is some rock song, and the music blasts out of the speakers we installed throughout the dorm.

“Fuck, yes! I love this song!” Alice shouts and jumps to her feet. She loses her balance and collapses onto the floor, bursting out laughing.

I get up to help her but immediately forget what I am supposed to be doing, distracted as the song gets to the bridge, which I love. I climb onto the table and start dancing.

“Yes, Sum! Work it!” Alice squeals. Still on the floor, she lifts her hands and starts making motions like she would if she were showering a dancer with paper credits.

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