[tw: drug mentions]
RORY STUMBLED back to through Figure 8, her world spinning around her as she looked around the rich streets in admiration. She exhaled smoke from her joint, before pulling out an orange bottle of Oxy from her pocket. Rory smiled, placing one tablet on her tongue. The sound of loud music echoed from the distance, as Rory remembered Kiara's parents wedding anniversary.
Rory stumbled towards the crowd of Pogues and Kooks, all partying and celebrating. She looked around at all of the happy families, before JJ sprinted towards her in panic. He cupped her face tightly, examining his sister's looks in worry. Rory didn't fail to notice that he had been crying.
"Rory, fuck! I saw what happened. Are you okay?" JJ spoke quickly, as Rory struggled to keep up, "Are you okay? Rory, talk to me. Please!"
"What?" Rory slurred, dropping her joint on the ground and trying to pull away from JJ's hands. She chuckled, "I don't know what you're talking about. Are you feeling okay?"
"Rory, don't. Stop!" JJ insisted, as Rory's smile faded. Her brother took out his phone from his pocket, going onto instagram to show her Rafe's instagram story. He looked at her, tears swelling in his eyes as his voice broke, "Rory... I know, alright? It's gonna be okay."
Rory couldn't speak, all she could do was shake her head in disbelief. Rafe, and many others, had videoed her relapse? It was only a matter of time until the whole of OBX knew. Aurora took a step back, her eyes filling with tears as she walked away. JJ stood on the concrete ground, repeating her name over and over as she walked away.
"Rory!" Sarah called from the distance of the crowd, as she rushed over. Her eyes flickered between her and JJ, who was a few metres away, before she questioned, "What's wrong?"
"Go away, Sarah." Rory slurred, shooing her away with her hand as she continued to walk.
Sarah caught up to the girl, before stopping in front of her, placing a hand on her waist, "I'm not going anywhere. Tell me what happened. Please."
Rory lowered her head, letting out a small sob, "Rafe posted a video of me relapsing to the whole world. He basically made a total fucking fool out of me! And the worst part is... JJ saw the video."
Sarah's facial expressions softened, "It's okay. JJ will understand. It's not your fault-"
"But it is!" Rory raised her voice, as she wiped the tears streaming down her face, "I did the drugs. It was my stupid fucking decision."
Sarah didn't say anything for a moment, she didn't know what to say exactly. One wrong word could send Rory spiralling down forever, and she didn't want that. Sarah just hugged her so tightly. She hesitated, "I love you, Rory. Speak to your brother, okay?"
Rory let out a shaky breath, as Sarah kissed her forehead before heading back within the crowd of people. Rory walked up to JJ, who was stood on the deck staring into the water.
Rory breathed, "I know you're mad."
"I'm not mad." JJ replied softly.
"I'm sorry. I really am." Rory continued sobbing, "I am trying to get clean, I promise. I just... it's harder than I thought, and I don't want you thinking less of me-"
"Rory, hey." JJ interrupted, placing both of his hands on her shoulders, "I understand, okay? Come here."
JJ pulled her into a tight hug and didn't let go. Rory shut her eyes tightly, a tear running down her cheek. She opened her eyes, looking at the crowd of people in the distance. Rory noticed Sarah talking to Topper, before he pulled her in for a hug. A long hug.
