Saved By Steven (the first story)

4. Temptation

While Mick waited just outside, Lauren gripped the edge of the sink, trying to steady her breath. Her reflection looked worse than she felt — pale skin, bloodshot eyes, and sweat beading along her forehead.

"Shit... where is it?" she muttered under her breath, rummaging through her bag with trembling fingers. "I know it's here..."

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she pulled out a small case: a vial of clear liquid and a syringe, wrapped in tissue. Her hands moved quickly now, like muscle memory had taken over. She filled the needle, tapped it twice, and pushed the syringe into her arm.

A sharp sting, then warmth. Her shoulders relaxed. Her head stopped spinning. The fog in her brain began to lift. She repeated the process a second time, slower now. Then came the small bottle of white powder. She unscrewed the cap, took a deep breath and sniffed a line.

A few minutes later, her balance was back. Her face still looked tired, but at least she could walk without stumbling. She splashed some water on her cheeks and stepped into the hallway.Mick turned toward her. "You okay?""Yeah. Better now," Lauren said with a tight smile. "Where's Tom? I haven't seen him in a while.""He said he went to find something to help you feel better. But... it's been a while.""I hope he comes back soon."
They made their way into the party. Music thumped through the speakers, students were dancing, some teachers were swaying awkwardly in a corner. Plates of snacks were being picked over and groups were sneaking off to smoke outside. 
To Lauren, everything felt off. The lights were too bright, the colors too sharp. Faces blurred and shifted as if she couldn't quite focus on them. Everyone seemed to be moving in fast-forward while she moved in slowmotion. 
Laughter echoed in her ears — distant, warped.
She blinked hard and tried to steady her breathing. Her hands were steady now, but her vision still refused to fully clear. Shapes slid past her peripheral view, and for a split second, she thought she saw someone watching her from across the room — but when she turned, the figure was gone.
Her phone buzzed. Tom was calling."I'll be right back," she told Mick, holding up the phone.Outside, the air was cooler and quieter. She answered the call."Hey, where are you?" she asked."Almost back. Shouldn't be more than ten minutes. How's the party?""Still going strong.""You want to wait for me outside?""Sure," she said. "I'll wait."
She sent Mick a quick text:Waiting for Tom outside — back in 15. All good.Exactly ten minutes later, Tom pulled up and stepped out of his car."I've got a surprise for you," he said with a grin."Oh yeah? What kind of surprise?""Come on," he said, gesturing toward the teachers' lounge. "You'll want to sit for this."Curious, and slightly amused, Lauren followed him inside."What is it?" she asked.
Tom pulled a small ziplock bag from his pocket, held it up. Inside were a mix of pills — white, blue, oval, circular."Ritalin. Xanax. Nothing heavy. Just something to take the edge off," he said. "Some are from the pharmacy, some from my guy."Lauren blinked, caught off guard by the gesture and by how badly she wanted what was in that bag."Tom..." Her voice was low, almost a whisper. "You really shouldn't have.""I figured you'd need it. After what happened last night? I thought I was losing you.""You weren't." But her eyes were fixed on the pills.He stepped closer. "One won't hurt. I'll take one too. We'll be fine."She hesitated, swallowing hard."I can't. If anyone finds out—""They won't. It's just us here. I've got your back."Her pulse quickened. Her hands clenched and unclenched. The hunger inside her was rising again.