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“Don’t push yourself,” Alice giggles. “You’ll end up sick, especially if this is your first time.”

I’m dealing with a lot of first times at the moment, and the other one certainly went well so I don’t see why this won’t either. I already feel lighter, like I’m floating on air, and happier too. I want to laugh and giggle with glee, I want to hug these girls, I want to dance the night away.

“Fill it up,” I say boldly to Alice. “Let’s get this party started, shall we?”

***

I don’t know how much time has passed, but I do know that I no longer feel like myself. The alcohol has control of me now, it’s claimed my vision, my stomach, my sense of rationality, all of it. For the first time in my whole life, I feel an affinity with my father. I understand why he did this so much now. It isn’t the nicest feeling in the world, but it’s freeing. I’m no longer bogged down with anything, I can even forget about him and his death. This must be how he felt all the time, just trying to forget about losing Mom. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but I know why he went back.

“Are you okay?” Alice chuckles as she tucks her arm under my arm pits. “You’re swaying a bit now. Do you think it might be time to leave the dance floor?”

“No, I want to keep dancing,” I slur back at her. “It’s so much fun. I really like it.”

“Oh, I know you do, sweetie, but me and Becky are leaving now and we can’t leave you here by yourself. We need to get you in a cab home. What’s your address?”

I don’t know much, but logic is screaming at me that I can’t tell Alice my address or she’ll know that me and Logan are together. Instead, for some unknown reason it seems much more logical to just call him instead. I reach into my pocket and pull out the number.

“I don’t want a cab, I want this guy to pick me up,” I tell her strongly. “Can I borrow your phone? I promise I’ll only be on it for a moment, I won’t waste your minutes or anything.”

“No, you can.” She pulls her cell phone out but doesn’t immediately hand it to me. “Maybe I should call him for you because I don’t think you’re making much sense right now. I mean, do you even know where you are? Do you even know what club this is?”

She’s right, I don’t have a bloody clue, so I hand the number over willingly. She isn’t from th

e center anyway so there isn’t any way that she can make that connection between us. Plus, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind anyway. Even if she knew the truth, Alice is an awesome friend who wouldn’t judge me for anything. She’s so cool and laid back, I definitely have a girl crush on her.

She grabs onto my arm and pulls me out the club, and as the cold night air hits me I realize just how drunk I really am. I’m much more wasted now, somehow the fresh air of real life has hit me and shocked me. It’s a funny feeling that makes me want to giggle like a lunatic.

“So, who is this guy anyway?” Alice asks while punching in the numbers. “What’s his name?”

“Logan,” I whisper my secret to her. “His name is Logan and I want him to be my boyfriend.”

She raises a knowing eyebrow at me, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, she calls Logan and she asks him in a very professional sober tone for him to pick me up.

“How am I so much more wasted than you?” I ask once she hangs up. “That’s not fair.”

“Because you’re younger than me, and less experienced. But more importantly who is this Logan? He sounds older than you when I spoke to him then.”

“He is,” I chuckle like it’s hilarious. “But he’s really hot and kind too. You would really like him.” All of a sudden, I’m struck by a thought of horror. “Actually no, don’t like him. You’re way more beautiful than me so he will definitely like you back. Then I’ll have to act all happy while you guys fall in love and get married, all while my heart is breaking for him.”

“Okay, you’re definitely way too drunk now,” Alice insists. “Come on, let’s go and sit on this bench and wait for the mysterious Logan to come. I can’t leave you on your own.”

“But what about Becky?” I don’t even know where she is, I can’t remember when I saw her last.

“She’s gone back with the bar man, so it’s just me and you for now. How does that sound?”

“That sounds perfect.” I sit and rest my head on her shoulder. “Thank you, Alice, you’re a legend.”

Chapter Twenty Three – Logan

I debated going out myself with Hank when I received the email from Pru about her going out with her new friends, it felt like the perfect time for me to expand my friendship horizons too, but now I’m glad that I didn’t. I guess deep down a part of me expected something like this to happen so I waited at home patiently, wanting to check that she’s going to be okay at the end of it.

It’s just lucky that Pru is out with new friends and not people from the center, that could have really complicated things. Maybe I could have found a way to explain it, but I’m glad I don’t have to. I’m sure my guilt would have shown on my face and my cover would’ve been blown. Still, I don’t have to worry about that because Pru is only hanging out with people she works with.

I slow the car down as I reach the street where Alice told me to come and pick up Pru. There are lots of people about in varying stages of being intoxicated, so it takes me a while to find her, but soon I see her slumped on her friend, clearly very wasted. This is why she shouldn’t drink, I don’t think she can hack it, she’s too young and not at all used to it. Especially not if she’s been trying to keep up with this older girl who is used to it. Hopefully this one-time experience will teach her.

I park up the car quickly and step out into the street. Surrounded by drunk people I feel a bit awkward so I stuff my hands into my pocket and I keep my eyes fixed only on the girl I want to see. I don’t care about the drunken loutish idiots anyway, and I’m sure the feeling is mutual.

“Hey,” I say uncomfortably as I finally reach the duo. “I’m Logan, is everything alright?”

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