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Acid and amaretto climbed up the back of her throat

She needed to find a place to voh bodies swaying to the rapid tehts strobed Sour body odor, cologne, alcoholic breath Hard li that woe around her She couldn’t move She couldn’t cry for help

A hand closed around hers

Michael?

No, it was Quan

He shoved people aside A wouy shoved hiuy to the side and brushed past Through it all, his hold on her hand reh the people, opened a door, and cool, sweet air floated over her face

The door clicked shut, ht was gone She covered her eyes and sank down to the cold ceht

"Thank you," sheto throw up" Her nails clawed at the sidewalk as she tried to find a suitable place to be sick She couldn’t get enough air into her lungs

"Easy, easy Slow breaths" He moved as if to touch her but stopped when she flinched away "Sit up straight That’s it In through your nose Out through yourher out of her rabbed his wrist "I’ and turned her face into it The coldness felt good on her fevered forehead, distracted her fro that wo the wall, the sound of the gasping grew louder, and she realized it was coether, fisted her hands, and tightened everystopped

"Do you need anything?" Quan asked

"I’ better, though her temples throbbed

Quan tilted his head to the side "My brother used to get overstimulated just like this He’s autistic"

Her chest constricted at his words She shouldn’t have used the word overstimulated Most people didn’t use it Why would they? When he narrowed his eyes, she could althere

She held her breath and hoped he wouldn’t ask She could withhold the truth, but she’d never learned how to lie

"Are you?"

Her shoulders slumped, and her throat burned with shame She made herself nod

"Michael doesn’t know, does he? He never would’ve taken you here if he knew You should tell him"

All she could do was shake her head Anyti on eggshells around her It strained the relationship until they found a way to leave She never told people anyuring it out on their own

"Can I borrow a hundred dollars froo ho to leave? Michael’s probably looking for you"

She doubted that He’d been busy As she pushed herself to her feet, she marveled at the disconnect between her body and her mind How could her limbs still follow orders when her head felt so tired and hollow? "I promise I’ll pay you back"

"Is this because that chick kissed hi to peel her off He sucks at protecting hiht and foolish "Really?"

The door opened, and a swift techno beat radiated from the doorway