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"Stella? Stella!"

I spin, and it takes me a moment to focus, to let my world expand past Dylan and the way shebecause we’re not in a bathroo me to stop was a shock todown

My eyes go to the bed, and I take in inforister first A pair of underwear around one ankle The pieces coed makeup, closed eyes I dopicture because that’s not so in that bed

That girl is vibrant and friendly andfk

Dylan is touching Stella’s face, talking to her, but she’s passed out cold Finally, I get my feet to move, and I cross the room and pull a blanket over her so no one else will see her like that

Then I only think in steps

Step one Take care of Stella

Step two Find Carter

Nothing else ht then

I face Dylan, place a hand on her shoulder, and say, "Don’t leave her side" I hand her my phone and say, "Call Dallas first Then the police"

I turn to go, and she chokes out over short, broken breaths, "Where are you going?"

"I’ll be back"

I don’t tell her where I’ because she’ll only worry But I’m positive this is the roo on the stairs, and I’d assu his jeans because this was a bathrooether what hts out on Stella and just left her there, and I feel so goddary and helpless

I have to ask around for a few minutes, but when people see the look on my face, no one hesitates to telllot, trying to coax so I haul off and slairl he’d been with, but she’s already stu away back in the direction of the party

"What the hell,prick, but I didn’t have any idea you’d go this low"

Carter holds his hands up "I have no idea what you’re talking about"

He tries to shoveuntil I’m done "I went in the roo way I let you get aith this"

"I didn’t do anything," he swears, but this time he shoves o in that room with you?" I ask "Was she even conscious or did you take her in there?"

"You can’t fking prove anything," Then he tries to leave, and I tackle hioes down easy We both scraet the upper hand, and he’s the first one to throw a punch It lands hard just on the edge of ether