Page 206 of Taken Princess

But I need this.

I really need this.

I start to hurry.

Soon enough I’m at the coffeeshop.

And when I see Rosa, I feel a sudden surge of relief.

I just stand outside the coffeeshop and wait for Rosa to come to me.

When she does, she can tell right away something is wrong.

“Jaci…”

“I just need stuff,” I say. “I’m sorry. I know I sound like a bitch. Just give me something right now.”

“Is everything okay? Are you safe?”

“Don’t worry about me,” I say. “Just hook me up. Pretend we don’t know each other.”

“Well, we don’t know each other,” Rosa says. “Doesn’t mean I can’t ask what’s wrong.”

“You know what’s wrong? I don’t have what I want.”

Rosa nods. “Got it.”

Rosa reaches into her pocket and I move closer to her and hug her.

The exchange is made and I find myself hugging her a little longer.

I don’t know why.

Somewhere in my head I find myself fantasizing about everything all at once.

Which is why I need thezazas.

I fantasize about life if I never left Faye’s house.

I then think about running away with Rosa.

She and I hanging around the coffeeshop all the time.

Dealing drugs?

I pull away from Rosa.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Please be safe,” Rosa says to me.

“I’ll do my best.”

I turn and walk away.

I don’t waste any time in tossing twozazasinto my mouth.

I look up to the dreary, autumn sky and swallow the pills.

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