Chapter One

WARNING: Contains triggering content such as drugs/ drink spiking. There will be more triggering themes throughout the book so please don't read ahead if it upsets you. As always in my books containing such themes, I like to make it clear that this book will not glorify sexual assault. I know from personal experience what it is like and thus feel I have a right to write about it. If you disagree or do not wish to read a book containing it (There is only one sexual attack, however, it will of course be discussed throughout the book) then please don’t read ahead. 

For those of you who do, enjoy the book!

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Chapter One  

Sitting in the bar of the hotel where my family and I were staying during our holiday, I waited. I was nervous but excited. We had all been out on a boat trip today, one of those ones with the glass bottom, and I had met a really cute guy. He was a little older, or at least looked it, but really handsome. We got talking about the fish we saw and it seemed like we had quite a bit in common. He asked me to grab a drink with him tonight and amazingly, and coincidently, he was staying at the same hotel! 

It was on my bucket list to have a summer romance. I was tired of returning to school after the holidays and hearing about all of my friend's escapades. I was the ‘’Innocent’’ one of the group.. Aka… the virgin, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to lose that title so quickly. There was nothing wrong with being a virgin, but I wanted something interesting to share when I got back. 

When summer was over, I’d be going into my senior year of High School and I wanted it to start on a positive note. 

The bar in the hotel wasn’t anything special, but considering I didn’t really know my way around, so it seemed like a good idea... Especially considering that he was staying here too. It just made sense. We had exchanged numbers when we were on the boat, but I hadn’t texted him yet… I didn’t want to seem too eager… 

…Although, he was late… by half an hour at this point. 

I kept telling myself that it was fine, he was probably just running a little bit behind, but then... He is staying just a few floors up… how behind can you get? I started fiddling with the straw in the drink in front of me. I had ordered just a small Coca Cola so I didn’t feel bad hogging a table while I waited. I hadn’t touched it though, my stomach felt like it was a pit. Before I could overthink things too much... Or more than I already had, I saw someone out of the corner of my eye approaching. 

I turned and instantly smiled when I saw it was him. 

Jason.

‘I am so sorry I’m late’. I just smiled at him and shook my head as he slid into the booth opposite me. 

‘It’s ok, don’t worry about it. I haven’t been waiting too long’. He just smiled back and grabbed a menu, looking it over quickly. I just sat there, feeling a bit awkward, not sure what to say. 

‘You already have a drink?’ he asked, peering over the menu and gesturing towards my glass on the table. 

‘Oh, yeah, sorry’. 

‘No, it's ok. Anything good?’ 

‘Just Coke’. 

‘No Jack Daniels?’ I just shook my head again, still smiling. He didn’t know my age, he hadn’t asked, but I didn’t want to say anything in case he thought I was ‘’too young’’. I didn’t know his age either, but I assumed he was in his early 20’s. My parents were on the boat with us, and they didn’t seem to think he was ‘’too old’’ for me, so... 

I just watched him, taking in his appearance as he got back up and walked over to the bar to order his drink. The waiter asked him for ID, which he confidently produced. 

He was so attractive. Piercing blue eyes, jet black hair, gelled into subtle spikes, He was wearing a black button-up shirt, looking rather smart and paired it with what looked like black jeans too. He was tall but not too tall. Probably around 6 feet or so. Being only 5’8’’ myself, that seemed like a good height to me. 

I looked away again quickly before he turned and came back. I didn’t want him catching me staring at him like some sort of creep. 

Placing his drinks on the table, a beer, he sat back down and let out a deep sigh. I felt all shy again, so shy my brain refused to function enough for me to think of something to talk about. 

‘So, where are you from?’ He asked, and I was very grateful. 

‘Nevada, yourself?’ 

‘Texas’. 

‘Oh, cool, Have you lived there long?’ He didn’t respond right away, he picked up his glass and took a drink first’. 

‘Uh, yeah, born and raised actually.’ That was strange, surely he would have a texas-accent... But he didn’t. I just shrugged it off, not really paying it too much attention. ‘So, Nevada, ever been to Vegas?’ 

‘Yeah, I have a few friends who live there’. 

‘How's the strip? I wanna go, it looks like fun, the bars, clubs, casinos’. 

‘Well…’ I paused, ‘ I’m only 17 so I couldn’t really comment on that, but I'm sure they’re fun, you should go’. 

‘You’re only 17?’ His face was void of emotion, so I couldn’t tell if that was bad or not. 

‘Yeah’. He shrugged. 

‘You look older’. 

‘Is that a problem?’ He shook his head and I instantly relaxed a little. 

‘Nope’. He popped the ‘’P’’ slightly and it made my smile return. 

We struck up a conversation about random things and places we had both visited but nature started calling and I excused myself, slid out of the booth and headed to the bathroom. As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, but didn’t turn to confirm it. 

Our evening continued from there. The conversation started flowing and so did the drinks. He had gone to the bar for us and returned with a cocktail for me. The waiter didn’t seem to question my age, so I took it and thanked him. 

Eventually, Jason stood up and stretched his arms. 

‘Well, I think I'm all drink-ed out’. He announced. Sadness hit me, I didn’t want the evening to be over yet. I was really enjoying it, but not wanting to seem over the top, I agreed with him and stood up too. 

‘Well, thank you for the lovely evening’. 

‘Oh, are you leaving?’ I was confused. Wasn’t that what he was doing? ‘Oh, I thought-’ 

‘I was going to see if you wanted to go for a walk or something? But if you need to get back?’ I shook my head quickly. 

‘NO!’. I told him a little too eagerly, ‘No, I don’t’. Grinning, he held his hand out towards me for me to take, which I did. As soon as my hand was in his, I felt butterflies attacking my stomach. He led me out of the bar area and through the hotel, out into the night air. 

The streets were still quite busy, but it was still nice. The hotel was almost right on the beach, so the sea air was nice and refreshing, but it made me go instantly lightheaded. 

‘You ok?’ Jason asked as we started walking. 

‘Yeah.. yeah I’m fine. I guess I needed the fresh air more than I thought’. We shared a small laugh and started heading down the street, walking side-by-side with the beach until we just decided to divert right and go onto the sand. It gave us some more privacy, which I didn't mind at all. 

The sea was out, so quite far from where we were when we took a seat on the sand. The busy road, hotel and shops were just a low light behind us, the noise had gone, and it was just us and the sound of the sea. It was so peaceful. 

‘Close your eyes and really listen’. He told me and I did. It was so relaxing. 

‘Wow’. 

‘Nice, isn’t it?’ I nodded. Suddenly, he leaned over and cupped my cheek, pulling me in for a kiss. It all felt so magical and romantic. Like something right out of a summer romance movie. My heart was exploding in my chest… but then everything changed. 

It suddenly hit me like a wrecking ball, my head started pounding and when Jason moved away, I opened my eyes and felt like I was spinning. It made me feel so nauseous. Like I was going to throw up. I rolled over slightly and held my head, groaning. 

‘Are you ok??’ He asked, worried. 

‘No, I-I feel really unwell all of a sudden’. I tried to stand but instantly fell over again. Jason got up and helped me to my feet, steading me and holding me close so I didn’t fall over again. 

‘Let's get you back’. He told me, still holding me close and we started walking. I wasn’t paying much attention. I stumbled and tripped, but he didn’t let me fall. I kept my gaze down, trying to stop the dizziness, but for a split second when I did look up, the street and shops were no longer in view at all. I tried to look around but it was too much and I had to lower my gaze again. 

I relied on Jason until he stopped again and let go of me, letting me quickly fall to the floor. Even though it was just sand, it was still a hard impact. I groaned and rolled over onto my back, Looking up at the starry night sky. 

I tried to get up but it was like my muscles were cement. I couldn’t move. I looked around, panicking, trying to see where Jason was, willing him to help me up. When my eyes found him, he was just looking right back at me. 

‘C-can you help… me..’. I struggled to talk. He folded his arms and leaned over me. 

‘Why would I help you? You made it really easy for me. Top tip, don’t leave your drink unattended with a stranger’. It took longer than necessary for his words to register in my brain. 

Did he drug me? Why?! 

My whole body felt numb, I didn’t know what to do, I was scared! Jason climbed onto of me and sat on my waist, staring down at me. 

This can’t be happening!