Crossing the Line

Chapter 23: Too Many

I felt the medicine kick in after a while. I didn't feel like crap anymore and my eyes half closed. I felt like I was walking on air. I walked downstairs with a loose smile on my face. Crystal and Tristan were still sitting on the couch. I sat in between them and wrapped my arms around Crystal with my newfound courage. I looked at the TV and smiled.

“Oh, what are we watching?” I asked. Crystal looked at me confused and slightly worried.

“Are you okay Holly? You're acting kind of weird,” Crystal said. Tristan turned my head so I was facing him and opened my eye wider so he could see my whole pupil.

“Shit,” he breathed. He walked to the kitchen and I heard the faucet running. I smiled easily and rested my head on Crystal's shoulder.

“I love you,” I smiled. She turned her head to look back at Tristan.

“What's wrong with her?” Crystal asked.

“She's high,” Tristan answered as he came back. He made me look at him again.

“Holly, how many pills did you take,” he asked. I shrugged.

“Four or five, I can't remember,” I answered. It was Crystal's turn to be shocked.

“You're only supposed to take one in an emergency,” she said. Tristan handed me a glass of water and ordered me to drink it. I sighed and did as he asked me too. They both just sat there and watched me carefully. I yawned after a while and started closing my eyes. Tristan shook me and watched me intensely.

“Don't let her fall asleep,” Tristan ordered Crystal. She nodded obediently and continued watching me as well.

“Eric was here,” I said, letting the words spill out uncensored. “He helped me with my homework, I swear that's it,” I said. “But then he kissed me, but I did pull away because I don't love him. I love someone else. Things are really complicated now for everybody. You two included,” I said. Tristan hesitated slightly. I yawned again and closed my eyes. I was shaken again.

“Do we just do this until she starts acting normal again?” Crystal asked. Tristan grabbed his keys and jacket.

“We need to take her to the hospital,” he said. I shook my head.

“I didn't take enough to kill me. Now can I go to sleep?” I asked. Tristan scooped me up and ended up setting me down in the backseat. I heard the car start but Tristan was still in the back with me. It took my slow brain a moment to realize that Crystal was driving. It seemed like we got there in no time. After a long time in the waiting room, we- or I- was finally seen. The doctor ran fluids in my arm I didn't like that very much, but I was finally allowed to sleep.

I woke up with a headache. I had no recollection of anything that happened after I took the pills. Oh God; the pills. I opened my eyes slowly, cautious of what I might see. I was greeted to a dark hospital room. I saw Crystal sleeping in a chair in the corner. Tristan was still awake, and watching me. He sighed in relief and glanced at Crystal's sleeping figure before he kissed my head.

“You scared the crap out of me. Please don't ever do that again,” he whispered. I sighed and shook my head.

“I don't plan to,” I answered, just as quietly. He sat beside the bed and watched me curiously.

“Why did you do it?” he asked. I closed my eyes and relaxed against the bed.

“It was just... you, and then Eric came over, and what he said, and knowing you and Crystal were downstairs, and what I almost did, I guess I just... snapped,” I explained in a quiet rush. He sighed.

“Well, your parents were here earlier. They had to go to work but they promised to come back as soon as they got off,” he said. I nodded. We sat in silence for a moment before Crystal woke up. Tristan subconsciously put a bit of space between us. Crystal- of course- was worrying. She fretted over every little detail. Finally, Tristan managed to calm her down. I hated how he did it- seduction... of course- but it was done. As promised, my parents came back. I gave them a lame excuse saying I took one and the medication caused me to forget that I already took one so I took three more. I think they wanted to believe it more than they actually did. They signed my forms and I was released. For the next week, I was always being watched. At school, Eric and Alyssa watched me. At home, Crystal and my parents watched me. Everywhere else, Tristan watched me. This went on for about two weeks until everyone was satisfied that I hadn't taken any medicine at all- even though I really wanted to. Everything was finally starting to be normal again.  I was working out everyday, exercising the horses. Tristan placed second in the Classic. I didn't see him, but Crystal said he did very well. Yes, it bothered me that she got to go and I didn't. But I was the one sleeping with him so I wasn't complaining.