How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 155: therapeutic dreams?

It is awkward. Dylan is over for dinner and my parents are rather confused about it.

"No, I work at a drugstore right now. Uhm, part time." Dylan explains as my mom asked if he studies.

"Next to studying?" Dad asks.

"Next to helping out at the garage." Caleb says in a harsh tone.

Dylan looks really freaking uncomfortable, but at the same time he certainly enjoys the food.

"Right. How is your business?" Dad asks Caleb.

He just sighs loudly. "It's going great."

Caleb is still bitter about what my dad said about him, basically calling his career path disappointing.

"Oh, right, next weekend is the first event of the season." Dylan points out.

"Really?" My mom asks with a kind smile. "A race? Are you taking part?"

Caleb plays around with the food on his plate, moving it around with his fork. "Yeah." He answers.

"But is it a real event? Is it safe?" Dad asks.

Caleb just rolls his eyes, clearly annoyed. "Yes dad. It is a real event."

"You're gonna be careful, alright?" Mom says. "You don't have to be the first."

"I'm just there to show off the car and sell merch and drive with other people who pay to sit in the passenger seat." Caleb explains disinterestedly.

Caleb has been down ever since we heard dad voice his doubt about Caleb's future, spending as much time at the garage as he can.

"Speaking of it. I still have a lot to do and will stay at the garage over night." Caleb says.

"At the flat?" Dylan asks.

Caleb nods.

"Slumber party!" Dylan whispers, gaining a grown from Caleb.

_____

Right after dinner they leave and I don't get the chance to steal Dylan's wallet to take out the drugs.

I'm glad I wasn't able to get my hands on the pills because I can't trust myself, but at the same time I wanna help him.

"Please get rid of the drugs. We both know you'll take them otherwise and I'm worried about you." I text Dylan right as Caleb pulls out of the driveway.

I sigh and sit down on my bed. I was really gonna pop those pills with Dylan. I'm so far from stable.

But I'm still going strong.

_____

The next day at school Harry doesn't show up, but he sends me a long text saying he's sorry.

Carla is busy on her phone all day, probably because of Harry.

Austin doesn't talk to me normally because whenever I try to bring up his nightmares or wanna ask him how he feels he just runs off.

I don't understand him. He tells me that I don't care enough for him and then when I try to talk he flees from the conversation.

"Hey. Is Harry okay?" Adam asks me and sits down next to me during a break.

"You could ask him yourself." I suggest.

"Yeah, I did and he said he's fine and that I should forget what he texted me." Adam says.

"Well, then do that." I suggest.

He sighs loudly. "Yeah. Maybe."

"Oh, why the long face?" Carla asks as she sits down next to Adam with a chocolate milk in hand. "Cheer up a little. Tomorrow is your birthday!"