Dare to Breathe Read Free Page A

up.”
    “Well, that’s all good with me as a) I don’t smoke, b) five minute showers suit me fine, c) I don’t really have any friends yet and d) so long as you all like toasted sandwiches to eat whenever it’s my turn, we’re good to go,” I say.
    They all look at me and laugh.
    “Don’t worry about food with us,” Nathan says, standing and stretching. “I think you’ll find we’re all pretty laid back about what we eat.”
    I notice his toned flat stomach as his shirt lifts a little. Towering in front of me, he smiles again and says softly, “It was nice to meet you. Welcome to our home.” He then turns towards the others and says, “I’m heading out. See you all later.”
    They all wave goodbye and I watch him go, disappointed that he won’t be here tonight. Even his walk is sleek and graceful, like a panther , I think as I watch him leave the kitchen.
    “Who wants pizza?” Mandy says, jumping up and heading to the phone. “Tonight’s my turn to cook,” she says, smiling and winking at me.
    The rest of the evening is spent in comfortable companionship. I unload my car and find a home for all my belongings. The room starts to take shape and look like mine and I feel pleased with myself. I hang up my special photo that accompanies me everywhere and touch it gently as all my memories threaten to surface. At ten, I head into the small lounge where my new roommates (expect Nathan) are all sitting together watching TV and eating popcorn.
    “So, Sam,” Ben says, looking up at me, “what do you like to do when you aren’t working or studying?”
    “Not much,” I say honesty. “Mostly I just like hanging with friends, finding a good book or enjoying the beach.”
    “Shit! Well, you are in for a tough ride here, since we are nowhere near a beach and are pretty shit company,” Ben laughs.
    Mandy smiles at me. “Don’t listen to this douche bag. We have been friends awhile now and been living together since we started college. Ben is probably the most boring guy you will ever meet, but we’re pretty cool,” she says, hitting him over the head with the remote.
    “Ouch,” Ben says, rubbing his head. “Don’t blow my chances here,” he jokes.
    Carrie scoffs. “Like you even had a chance, loser,” she tells him. She grabs a handful of popcorn which she shoves into her mouth.
    “Well, you wanted me that one time, remember?” He nudges her shoulder. Carrie rolls her eyes while Mandy giggles.
    “Jesus, Ben. I was like sixteen and rip-roaring drunk. I would have been interested in a tree if it was as close to me as you were.”
    Ben grips his heart as if she hurt him and rolls around the floor dramatically. Mandy laughs and Carrie just goes back to watching her show.
    “Okay then, I am off to bed. Good night,” I say, and give them a wave from the doorway. They look up, give me a quick smile and carry on watching.
    I climb into my new, warm bed and fall asleep instantly, exhausted after my physically and emotionally busy day.

Chapter Three
    “Well, hello there, pretty girl,” he says with eyes narrowing. His breath smells like beer and I know I am in trouble.
    “Please let me go,” I whisper to him.
    “I’m not doing anything sweetheart,” he says, rubbing my arms up and down…up and down.
    I start to shake. I know what is coming next and I wish I could run away but his hands hold me down firmly. Why oh why didn’t I sleep under my bed like I did last time he went out.
    “Please…” I try and say but he covers my mouth with his hand and his dark face blocks out all the light from the hallway.
    “Nooooo!” I wake up gasping for breath. I quickly turn on the light and look around the room. Everything is there; all in its place sitting innocently. My eyes turn to where I hung my photo. It is curled at the edges and slightly crumpled but I can still see Alex, Fred and me when we were young. We all sit together outside our apartment. Our little faces are close together and we are