CHAPTER 13

'Really?' 'Affirmative. I don't kid.' 'Thank you so much.' I paid for it and she gave me a free pair courtesy of Mr. Hollen. 'I need to get myself a dress now, Emma,'  Halley said as we rode up an escalator. We entered a clothing store and Halley took a dress off a rack and went into a changing room. 'What do you think?' 'You look amazing, what's the occasion?' 'We're going to a party.' 'A what?' I'd never been to a party, well except for the one Carl threw at the cafe to celebrate his last birthday, and I was on duty in my working clothes. I'd never actually dressed up and attended a party. 'Lou, can you make one more stop?' 'That's my job,' he answered in a stunned voice. He was a built guy with a bald head, always dressed in a full suit and tie but he never wore a smile, well I'd never seen it-- the average solider. I was certain he was armed and trained to defend himself and those he had to protect. 'Drop us off at Saint Street, then you can head back to the mansion.' 'I can't comply with that Miss. Halley.' 'You could make an exception. We'll be gone for a while. We're attending a friend's birthday party.' 'Then I'll wait until it ends. I can keep to the car but I can't leave without the both of you.' 'Fair enough, Lou. Thanks.' 'You're welcome.' ________ We arrived at an average-sized house. The backyard was decorated with lights and music systems. There were tables covered with drinks and snacks. Young adults were dancing and grooving with each other to the music. Halley's eyes scanned the crowd. A guy walked over to our direction. 'Hey, I thought you wouldn't make it. Who's this?' His eyes were on me. 'This is my friend, Emma. Emma, this is my boyfriend, Matt.' She pulled him in for a hug. 'Happy Birthday, baby,' she squealed and handed him a small box. He opened it in front of us and revealed a Rolex with diamonds around its face. Our pay was generous but it seemed like Halley had a spending habit. How could she afford a Rolex with diamonds? Oh man... A bitter feeling came over me. Could it be one of Mr. Hollen's? Emma's POV She had to be out of her mind to even think about stealing one of Mr. Hollen's watches. I didn't want either of us getting in trouble with him so I pulled her aside. 'Halley, are you crazy? Please tell me that wasn't Mr. Hollen's Rolex. He would skin you alive!' 'Emma, would you relax. How crazy do you think I am? I wouldn't steal from him.' 'Well, where did you get the Rolex?' 'It's a knock-off I purchased in Chinatown. Matt thinks it's real, but how the hell am I supposed to afford that? Now can we just enjoy the party?' I'd never danced before so I just watched at Halley and her boyfriend. A guy walked up to me and said hi. He was very handsome and looked around my age, maybe one or two years older. He had a Mohawk haircut, which complimented his handsome face. He was lighter than I was in complexion with light brown eyes and thick eyebrows. 'Hi,' I replied, tucking my hair behind my left ear. 'I've never seen you around before. Are you new in town?' 'Not really.' 'Who are you here with? A boyfriend?' I laughed; if only he knew. 'No, I'm here with my friend, Halley?' 'Halley. That's whats up.' 'You know her?' 'Yeah.' He was sipping from a red cup. I assumed it was alcohol, maybe a beer. Halley came between us. 'Hey Max, long time no see.' She hugged him. 'Hey Hal, what's good?' 'I've seen you already met Emma.' She was smiling at me and winking. I rolled my eyes. 'Here Emz,' she handed me a cup that contained a strong aroma of alcohol. 'Halley, I don't drink.' I pushed the cup back into her hand. She shook her head and glared sourly at me. 'Emma, don't be a party pooper. It's just a beer.' 'I don't drink. I don't like alcohol.' 'Emma, come on.' I took the cup from her and sipped. Max made an air toast gesture to me and I gave him a small smile, but I had a feeling that something weird was going on. I pretended to drink but just let the contents  touch my lips and move back into the cup. I hated the taste of all alcohol. I couldn't understand why people drank it. It was no good for one's body and, if you have too much, you pass out and wake up with an unbearable headache the next day and your stomach feels like it's tied in a knot. Why put yourself through that? I walked up to a tree and emptied the beer. It was then that I noticed something else, besides the beer, fell out. What the fu..., what's that?! I stared at it. It was a small red pill which hadn't completely dissolved. I picked it up and wrapped it in a makeup tissue I'd gotten at the salon then stuck it into my purse. I wanted to leave immediately. I went to find Halley. I found her dancing like a stripper on her boyfriend. She didn't look like herself-- like the way she looked when we first got here. 'Halley, I think we should leave,' I whispered to her so that Matt wouldn't hear, but the music was a bit too loud and her head was spinning too much. 'Halley!' I shouted. I wanted to shake the hell out of her. 'Hey, what's your problem? She's with me. She's fine!' Matt shouted back. 'She's not fine. Look at her. I think she had too much to drink!' I snapped at him. 'Emma, dance... with... me,' she stammered between alcohol induced hiccups pulled me onto her.