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The only problem now is, there’s two of us to a shift, and due to the start of the semester, things have gotten pretty busy. It makes the time pass, but I was also hoping I could find some time to study before returning home. I have at least a hundred pages to read before Wednesday.
I pause mid-step, my heart halting as I see who is standing at the front of the line, tapping her manicured nails on the desk. Her blonde hair is clipped short, falling around her chin now, and her large blue eyes lift towards me, her lips curling into a cruel smirk as she recognizes me.
“Millie,” I breathe.
With that one name, everything I’ve been trying to forget comes flooding back to me, like a dam bursting and destroying everything in its path. I clench my jaw and force myself behind the desk, despite wanting to run.
“Hi, Hunter,” she says sweetly while handing me her card, her finger lightly grazing mine. “Long time no see.”
I stifle a groan, a memory flashing as I recall inhaling white powder, the burn crawling up my nose while my mind zips a mile a minute, her shoulder nudging me away, me watching her inhale a line.
“Yeah, it’s been a while,” I say politely while scanning her card, trying very hard to push those memories away. I hate how my body misses it, needs it. I hate how I want to ask her if she has anymore, how much it would cost to get a line, if she knows of a party going on.
Don’t do it, I tell myself, my teeth kneading my bottom lip, thinking if I keep my mouth shut I won’t give in and ask her. I’ve only been sober a month at most. I can go longer. I’ve done it before.
“What have you been up to?” Millie asks as I hand her card back to her. “I thought you graduated and got a fancy job somewhere?”
“I did,” I say with a forced smile. “But now I’m back. Now, if you excuse me, I have some more customers to beep in.”
“Oh, of course.” Millie reaches over, her hand resting on my shoulder. Nausea sweeps through me and I sway on my feet, not knowing if I’m going to be sick or pass out. What the hell is wrong with me? My heart is slamming so fast in my throat. I can’t catch my breath. “You know, Jerry is having a party tonight, if you want to come.”
An image of Jerry towering above me, a bat in hand takes hold of me and I shake my head quickly. “No, that’s okay,” I whisper.
Millie shrugs. “Next time then.”
I simply smile and watch her leave. My hand shakes as I take the next person’s card.
“Hey, bro!”
I blink. It’s Mike—not just some random person. “H-hey,” I say shakily, my vision wavering. I’m seeing two of everything. I feel like I’m going to pass out. “How are you?”
Mike shrugs. “I’ve been better. Didn’t know you worked here.”
“Yeah, only for a couple weeks.” I fumble with his card while trying to return it. It flops onto the ground.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, watching Mike bend over to pick it up.
“No big deal.” Mike frowns up at me. “You okay?”
I shake my head. Turning around, I find Amy coming towards me. “Sorry, Amy, can you take over? I need a minute.” I don’t wait for her answer. I run to the bathroom, throwing the door open and rushing into a stall. I don’t bother to lock it. I drop to the ground, putting my head between my legs and inhale deeply. I can’t breathe. I think I’m having a heart attack.
“Hunter?”
I pull my legs closer to my chest. “Go away,” I croak. “Whoever you are.”
“It’s me, Mike. Are you okay?”
I groan in response.
The door creaks open and I chance a peak, seeing Mike’s concerned face hovering above me. “Well, you look like shit.”
“I feel like shit,” I groan.
Mike crouches in front of me. “What’s going on?”
“I can’t breathe,” I whisper, my arms tightening around my knees. “My chest hurts and I feel like I’m going to pass out.”
“Do you have asthma?”
