Streetlife

58 - Why?

CALLIE POV

I run my fingers over my arms as I sit in the steaming hot bath water. Tess, Julius and Lena had all showered before me as I told them I wanted to use my new lavender bath beads and light a few candles and just chill after the longest night of my entire life. It had been a terrible night and even if I was known for being super optimistic and easy going there were some things I was not so chill about. One of them was trying to prevent my friend from killing herself with drugs which had been the hardest thing I ever had to do.

As I feel the warm water cover my body I was really anxious and no one knew about my panic attacks except for Stef. And if I was honest with myself I missed her and was hoping she'd come back this afternoon. Not that I would reveal everything, but her company was rather soothing and put my crazy mind at ease, something not even my yoga or weed always did.

Lighting another candle I was just relieved that the night was over and was hoping I didn't need to repeat it.  And to top it off I was confused about Lena and my feelings towards her. I admired her initially when I first came to live here but last night I was unsure as to why she checked out. And, I was already feeling some kind of way in regards to how she took Stef's money, and still insisted I work, setting the money aside and pretending it didn't exist.

It was obvious that Stef really cared about me, for she had kept her word and even told Warbucks about what happened, course not what we really did, but that I kept her company and that she paid for that. He had accepted the money, and told me I did a good job and that it was my job and responsibility to take care of Stef and keep her happy..something I didn't mind doing one single bit for I really did like her, more then I even realized.

But the part that was getting to me was the fact that Lena had told me that Tess was her responsibility now. Hers. So, how was she her responsibility when in fact, last night, Lena had stood there like a statue, puffing away on her smoke, allowing Julius to run his mouth further pushing Tess to no end? How? And she said nothing.

I could see it written all over Tess' face, and even when Harry asked for me to tag along once he found his girl, I didn't realize just what I was getting myself into. I didn't realize that it was Harry who sniffed dope with her and they got high together. Nor did I understand that Tess was still not finished detoxing and had zero coping skills when it came to staying clean. NONE.

"Right here, baby doll!" Harry holds up a small baggie of white powder as I'm sitting in the corner on a chair, removing my heels. "I got your absolute favorite, Tessy!"

"That's...no, Harry, please," I jump to my feet as Tess had just come out of the bathroom and was headed his way getting ready to take the baggie. Was she kidding me?

"Callie, I..."

"What? Did I do somethin' wrong?" Harry looks defeated as I snatch the baggie from him and hold out my hand.

"The key?" I snap as he looks bewildered. "To the safe? Do you have the key?"

"Oh, uhhhh, let me look," he slowly stands to his feet as I ignore Tess' pleading eyes and wait, my heart racing 100 mph. She would not get high on my watch, and I will not be blamed for this. No way! "But why, why do you need the key Callie?"

"The key please!" I yell now as he fumbles around for it in his boxers and undershirt as Tess sighs and lays on the bed for I could see Harry was a pushover even if he did care about Tess. It wasn't the kind of guy she needed. At all. "THE KEY!"

"Callie...stop yelling at Harry." Tess grabs a drink off the nightstand and takes a swig as Harry finally hands me the key.

"The rest of the drugs. All of them. Every last one!" I snap at Harry as he looks even more defeated, for I know that Tess would take any and every if I wasn't here...something that ticked me off to no end even if I do try to understand a drug addict's behavior.