tell me your pretty lies

chapter 55: im done.

"i swear ill only make you cry"

-cry by cigarettes after sex

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I'm leaning against the counter in our dorm, still in my hockey gear.

The adrenaline from practice hasn't even worn off yet, but none of that matters now. 

Not with Leighton texting me that she's going to drive home after she's been drinking.

What the fuck is she thinking?

I type out another message, my fingers moving faster than my brain.

Me (12:52 am) baby, don't. please just wait for me. i'm leaving now. i'll come get you. give the phone to someone, please.

No response.

I grit my teeth, running a hand through my damp hair. 

My pulse is pounding, but not from the workout. 

It's her. 

It's knowing she's out there, probably about to get behind the wheel, and there's nothing I can do about it from here.

Me (12:52 am) im being so fucking serious. please give the phone to someone.

My phone buzzes again, and I pull it out so fast I almost drop it. 

But it's not her. 

It's Bailey, asking if I'm coming to the party. I ignore it and go back to our text thread, sending another message.

Me(12:58 am) baby. please. just respond. are you okay??

I'm trying not to panic, but it's hard when I don't know where she is, or what she's doing. 

I replay her last text in my head—how casual it was. 

Like she didn't think it was a big deal. But she's drunk. Or at least tipsy. 

She's not making good decisions right now, and I can't just sit here and wait to find out if something happens to her.

I send another text, my patience wearing thin.

Me(1:00 am) love, you promised me you wouldn't do anything stupid. this? this is stupid. dont make me drive around looking for you, please.

Still nothing.

I get into my car, slamming the door shut, and pull out my phone again. 

I open our conversation, staring at the blank screen for a second, hoping—no, praying—that she'll text back. 

Just something to tell me she's not being reckless, that she's okay.

But it's still silent. Still nothing.