You're it (SEQUEL OUT)

Chapter 17- pure lust

(Above should show Riley's dress at the club. Shoes are pretty similar, same colour etc)

I don't know how I started the last 'dark summer.' I think I went to one party and became hooked. I got hooked on the feeling, the never ending fun. I became so used to drinking that the hangovers gradually got easier. I made friends with everyone. It was dangerous, exciting and thrilling.

Then I went back to normal. I got good grades. I became a little shy, put on some weight. It was safe, natural and boring. I pushed away feelings about my parents and Darryl. I pretended everything was perfectly fine and I hadn't just spent a solid three months wasting my life away.

My dreams are plagued with images of the summer and I toss and turn restlessly in Luke's arms, trying to stop them.

I think the appearance of Diego hasn't helped nor is the fact I'm going to see Maria and the club, where I basically spent my entire summer.

My next dream is about the time I was out with Diego and a deal went wrong. Someone had a gun to our head in seconds and I thought I was going to die. Half of me was sixteen and terrified- there was so much I'd never get to do. The other half was ready to see my parents.

We got out of it. But this dream turns violet and when I look over at Diego it's not him anymore. It's Luke. The gun rings out, turning my vision to black as Luke falls to the ground.

I wake up with a gasp, shooting up. I feel around and realise I'm still in bed, safe.

"Baby." Luke's voice is laced with sleep, his eyes still closed. He tugs my waist. "What's wrong?"

I scoot out of bed, throwing on the hoodie next to the bed. Luke sits up, rubbing his eyes as he watches me cross the room.

"Bad dreams." I say, not looking at him. I feel guilty for having such an awful dream about him. "It's fine. Go back to sleep."

"Hey." His voice is soothing, calling me back to him. I walk over and sit at his side, rubbing my eyes. I didn't realise it was so early. "Talk to me."

"I have a lot of history with this place. Some good times, but a lot of bad times." I explain. "I just keep seeing all the bad stuff in my dreams and now you're there."

"In your dreams?" He wiggles his eyebrows at me. "I knew I was the man of your dreams..hey! That hurts! Don't slap me."

"Luke." I whine. He laughs, settling back into the bed.

"You obviously have some unresolved issues with this place. Probably some trauma." He reaches across, dragging me closer. His hands lock onto my hips, practically lifting me onto his lap. "We don't have to go."

"I'm sure you'd love that." I mutter as he smiles, holding me close to him. "But I promised Maria and our other friends we'd go. I just need to suck it up."

"I'm here you know." He sighs. "If you need to talk about any of the incidents or events. Any of it. We can talk about anything okay?"

"Okay." I reply. He grins and pulls me back by his side, throwing his cover back over me.

"Now shut up. Go back to sleep." He instructs, facing away from me. I smile at his back, letting the soothing sounds of him deeply breathing send me back to sleep.