desperate

II. GHB

Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate; also known as GHB. Side effects include unconsciousness, coma, slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, and amnesia.

"I can't believe you. You have officially lost it!" Carter scolds me for the millionth time. We're eating pizza, my friends paid for me. They wanted me to have a nice meal since I've hardly eaten in days. The drug dealer was not pleased with Carter's last minute call. It's late in the afternoon and his boss wouldn't be pleased with a rushed appointment, but he said he would pull some strings to make it happen. He's coming to pick me up in just a few minutes.

"Stop saying that," I roll my eyes. "I'm drowning. I'm just going to do this until I can get another job."

"It doesn't work like that," Carter scoffs.

"I don't care. I'm desperate," I remind him. Ryder places her hand over mine in comfort. "I'll be fine," I sigh. I hope I will. I fight with the dormancy threatening to take over my body.

"This is too dangerous for you. You know nothing about this business, it will be very easy for someone to take advantage of that," He angrily takes another sip of his drink. I had finished all of my food, my stomach begging me to fill it to the brim.

"Lucas is dying. End of discussion," I bark. Carter scowls at me. His phone buzzes and he picks it up.

"He's here," My best friend informs me. I nod, deeply sighing as I stand.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Carter asks, standing with me.

"No, I can handle this. I need to go alone." I nod.

He pulls me in for a tight hug. "I swear to god, if anything bad happens to you, I'm going to kill you."

I laugh. "I've got this," I assure him. I then hug Ryder and they walk out to the street with me. A large, entirely blacked out Escalade is parked by the sidewalk.

"That's you," Carter grumbles.

"The Escalade?" I clarify. I'm getting into a drug dealer's car, why would they have something so flashy?

"I told you this business is huge. The drug lord over the whole operation is a hundred millionaire. Maybe even billions by now."

"Wow," I breathe. "I shouldn't keep him waiting." I part ways with my friends and carefully open the heavy back door. I instantly smell the leather of the seats. I was expecting the scent of alcohol or weed or some other type of drug. But no, it's just leather.

I slide inside and shut the door. I look to my friends one last time, although the window tint makes it a little difficult. As the car pulls away, I turn to look at the man I was meeting with. He's huge, like a bouncer at a club. He's well shaven and clean. A perfectly pressed suit and tie adorn his large frame. Not what I was expecting. He doesn't look ragged or like he's battling with addiction. He looks... elite.

His short hair is nicely groomed, slicked to the side. His eyes are dark as he speaks to me. "What makes you want to deal?" His voice is as deep as expected.

My heartbeat is going crazy, finally my body piping up, shaking the sleep away. My stomach is churning, as if it's going to throw up it's contents at any given moment. "Um..." I start.

"Don't waste my time," He groans.

"I'm sorry. I need the money," I quickly answer, swallowing down the lump in my throat. My hands fiddle with each other in an attempt to focus anywhere but the giant of a man next to me, no barrier between us.