Read Out of Breath for Free Online Page A

grape-flavoured and bubbly. I could barely feel the Tickle, so I figured I was still safe.
    Meg saw me at the top of the stairs and waved. I nodded and followed the line down the steps. When I reached the bottom, an arm swept around my waist and pulled me to the side.
    ‘Hey, gorgeous,’ Gev murmured in my ear, kissing my neck. ‘I was hoping I’d see you again.’
    ‘Uh, hi,’ I stuttered, my entire body stiffening at his touch. I looked around in a panic, but I couldn’t locate Meg or Serena. Then Meg’s spirals came into view, and I connected with her. Her eyes flipped from me to Gev, and she pushed through faster, not caring that she was pissing people off.
    ‘So, how are you?’ I asked, my voice cracking slightly.
    ‘Sober,’ he complained. ‘I’m going up to get a drink. Wanna come?’
    ‘Emma!’ Meg exclaimed, her bright smile not entirely masking the concern flashing in her eyes. ‘There you are. We thought we lost you.’ She noticed Gev’s arm around my waist and the tightness in my shoulders as he squeezed me against him. ‘Hi. I’m Meg, and this is Serena.’ Serena just nodded and didn’t even bother faking a smile.
    ‘Gev,’ he responded. ‘Guess I’ll find you later,’ he said, kissing my cheek before disappearing up the stairs. I tried to smile while swallowing the sour taste of disgust that rose in the back of my throat.
    ‘Are you okay?’ Meg asked, taking me by the hand and leading me away.
    ‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ I responded meekly, taking large gulps of the purple stuff from the cup in my other hand.
    ‘He’s awesome-looking,’ Serena noted from beside me. ‘Too bad he’s a complete dick.’
    I laughed, almost spitting out my drink.
    Meg smiled. ‘We won’t let him near you,’ she promised, stopping near the pool.
    ‘Hey!’ Peyton exclaimed dramatically when she found us a few minutes later. ‘Em, why’d you take off like that
again
? Seriously, I think you should give Cole a chance.’
    ‘He’s not my type.’
    ‘Wait, are you talking about the guy you’ve been trying to set her up with for like forever?’ Meg clarified.
    ‘Uh, I just met him at the New Year’s party,’ I countered.
    ‘But I’ve been wanting you to meet him for way longer.’Peyton sighed. ‘I need an in with Tom, and they’re never apart, so I figured you’d be a good fit for Cole.’
    ‘You obviously don’t know me very well.’
    ‘Come on,’ Peyton said, sulking. ‘Cole is
everyone’s
type.’ She eyed Serena in contemplation and corrected with, ‘Well … except for Serena. He’s lacking the freak factor.’
    ‘Fuck you, Peyton,’ Serena bit back.
    Meg laughed at their banter. They were always throwing snide comments back and forth. I sometimes wondered if they liked each other at all.
    ‘Seriously, Em,’ Peyton continued. ‘He’s gorgeous. He’s intelligent. He’s a surfer.’
    ‘I don’t go for the surfer type. Just drop it – okay?’ I felt a sudden twist in my chest and swallowed the last of the alcoholic grape soda to be rid of it. ‘Um, I could use another drink. Anyone else?’
    ‘I’ll go with you,’ Serena offered, leading me towards another apartment. ‘She’s just being selfish as usual,’ she consoled. ‘Don’t let her force you.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ I said quietly.
    I waited for Serena on the balcony while she got our drinks. I kept scanning the crowd around me, fearful of running into Gev again. She returned a few minutes later and handed me a red plastic cup.
    ‘Jack and Coke,’ Serena explained.
    I took a sip, and my stomach lit up. ‘Whoa.’ I shivered. ‘That’s strong.’
    ‘Sorry.’ Serena grimaced. ‘I didn’t make it. Do you hate it?’
    ‘It’s not my favourite,’ I admitted as my mouth filled with saliva, ‘but I’ll drink it.’
    We noticed Peyton and Meg dancing in a crowd by the pool.
    ‘Great,’ Serena grumbled and directed me to stand on the outskirts where it was less crowded. I leaned against the rough