You Saved Me Once Book 1

“How are you feeling Alex?”

“I’m fine.” I say.

I’m driving to Adam, and Rochelle’s in the passenger seat. I feel her gaze on me.

“I’m worried for Adam.” I say.

The heater blows loud, I turn it down.

“Thankfully he’s not too far.” She laughs to lighten the mood.

“It’s kind of far. Thanks again, for coming though.” I say, she nods as a “your welcome”.

“You know, I’m glad you asked me to come. I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks.” She says, and I nod.

“Yeah, things have been crazy.” I say.

“How’s college prep going?” Rochelle asks.

“Good.” I lie.

“How’s Jeff?” She asks.

“Better.” I say.

“How’s Hayes?” I ask.

The car’s quiet again. I turn up the music to balance things out. It doesn’t take long for us to reach the university fraternity houses.

They’re big, loud, but not abandoned. There are a few people on the front lawn. They wave at us, some yell. Without the music, the fra-ternities would look gloom.

I can hear the music spitting out from each frat. I park at Ad-am’s fraternity house. The bass shakes my car.

Rochelle and I get out and walk up to the front door. There are people everywhere, touching, kissing, having fun.

into the house, there’s warmth everywhere. Everyone’s so close, touching. The bass pulses our touching bodies and connects us all. The lights are dim, a dirty green. A group of shirtless guys bolt past us, they’re cheering. Everything smells like

“Call me if you find Adam.” I

dirty green lights bounce off of

She starts downstairs, secretly following the shirtless guys that

are three levels in this fraternity, I’m on the second one now. This level is still packed. The only

a dim,

the room, each time I regret not bringing my camera,

no sight of

from behind. It feels

voice is heavy. I turn to

purple light makes his dewy, pale face, look vibrant. The intensity of the

cigarette in his mouth, it’s buzzing red. I watch the smoke float around, then disappear in the purple light. When I keep staring at him, he blows his cigarette smoke in my

“Do you smoke?”

I

to grope me again, I allow it. One of his friends jerks him away from me. He disappears

me a dance Richards!” He

start to move and walk around the second level looking for Adam. I pass lots of doors, most locked, some unlocked, and even doors

circling a bed,

was standing in the corner of the room, head

He slowly turns his head to me, dazed. Adam doesn’t recognize me. I ask him if he’s ready to go home, and he nods. At this point I’m freaking out because I’ve never seen him like this before. I get him out of the room, now we’re being shoved by danc-ing people on level 2. My arms start to give out as I’m pulling his entire weight and my own. We fall into a group of

knowing that without the purple light,

“Don’t worry

girl helps me up. I hadn’t noticed until now that it’s Lorene,

is on the third level. There

over Adam’s clothes, and mine. Lorene looks sadder now, still beautiful but sad. I feel a little anger to-wards her, seeing Adam in such distraught and knowing Lorene was

from her back pocket. My hands are starting to clam up from the tension I feel and see on her face. The anticipation is starting

left his wallet downstairs; can you

I’m even more scared and tensed now, because she’s lying.

I mumble, wanting to

from the door, I hear movement in Ad-am’s room. I look at Lorene for confirmation, but she looks

careful.” She mutters. I force a smile and nod at

crying now. I turn away from Lorene before she