Stuck Between The Pages

Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN: REHAB

Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying 'hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan.
-John Green

Apparently the world thought that I needed more problems because when I got to Grey Estate to see my best friend, a nurse that worked the front desk there told me his parents forcibly removed him from the program early.

To say that I was pissed about this would be an understatement.

After that, I have to drive an hour back to the apartment building Micah's family owns and sure enough that's where my best friend has been staying for just about two weeks.

Micah was really relieved to see me at his front door, and explained while we sat together on his porch so he could smoke that he hasn't gotten his phone back yet.

In fact he's just been copped up inside and just this Tuesday was allowed to go back to school, but at one in a different district.

He actually gets to go to school with the therapist-helper friend person I met, the girl named AJ who I know damn well is far past just some girl to Micah.

AJ's the girl, the one he got hooked on like it's another one of his drugs at a party.

And I knew this before, I did but now things are changing, he's out of rehab. They kissed. Micah actually feels good about how slow everything is going, and I love that for him.

Micah got invited to play basketball at AJ's house tomorrow and is accepting, and since he was told to bring friends the idiot actually called Thing 1 and Thing 2 from my phone and invited them to play with us.

Not that I'm passing this opportunity to spend time with my best friend after such a long break of not being around him, but I am sour about the fact I have to share this time.

"I'll start a fight if I feel like I have to." I warn Micah, who just rolls his eyes at me. "Mick, c'mon dude. They're so dumb and annoying."

Green eyes flick over to my own and he scowls at me, blowing smoke out towards the sky. "You don't think I know that?"

"I don't think you care about how dumb they are," Correcting him gets me a scoff. "But I think you should. They're teenage assholes who think being on Varsity means they'll get a free pass for life like they're getting a free pass in high school. They haven't worked for shit."

Micah sighs. "Neither have I."

"You know that's not true." Now I'm the one scowling. "Even before now, you've tried to get sober before. And you've worked on yourself, and your mental health. That's better work than having a job. That shit lasts for life."

He just shrugs and I know it's a touchy subject, so when he falls silent I don't push him for more.

There's only so much I can do and say before I feel like a broken record.

Currently I am awkwardly sitting by AJ Ferro, who for the past half hour has had her eyes glued to my best friend as he talks between me, London and Chance.

For the first time this whole day, she turns to look up at me. "So Keg... why are you best friends with Micah?"

What kind of question is that? And how the hell does she expect me to answer it.