Precious Virtue
Chapter XXXVI: Lover Boy
[Preston's POV]
I began to build myself a bit of a reputation over the course of the three weeks that I've been in rehab. The more comfortable I got into the routine of attending therapy for most of my day, I started to participate, and I even started making friends with the other recovering addicts here.
I found it oddly comforting, being around other addicts. It made me feel less alone in my struggles. We were all here for the same reasons, it didn't matter what we were addicted to or how we got ourselves in rehab in the first place. What mattered was that we were all here, recovering together, attending group therapy classes and support groups together.
They just...they understood me. They understood what it was like being unable to cope, to need something to make their pain go away, to stop feeling for just a little while. There were still days when I just craved to have a fucking drink because learning to process my strong emotions was unbearable most times, and they understood that too.
It definitely helped, being around other people who were in similar situations as me. It made recovery just a little bit easier, even if there were still days when I struggled and wanted to give up.
I strummed the guitar I had perched on my lap, tapping my foot against the floor. I relished in the feel of my fingers gliding against the strings of the guitar, while bobbing my head as I sang Once Monsters' "My Name Is." This song in particular brought a surge of power and confidence in me as I sang, due to its upbeat nature and victorious lyrics.
To take my future into my own hands, to rise after being beaten down by the world and my inner demons, to own my mistakes and overcome them.
Around me in a circle, the other patients sat stomping their feet against the floor, and clapping their hands to the beat I was playing. It brought a smile to my face watching everyone interact with my music and participate. Music therapy was the one group session that I looked forward to the most—it was where I got to express myself in the most raw way possible and to cope with my heavy feelings through a passionate hobby of mine.
When the song finished, my heart warmed when everyone cheered and whistled, applauding my mini performance. I bowed dramatically and rested my guitar down on the floor between my legs, turning my head when I felt someone's hand clasp against my back.
"Lover boy back at again with the sweet tunes," Maxon smirked from beside me. "Got everyone all fired up this early in this morning."
I laughed. I gave him a casual shrug, leaning back against my chair with a grin. "I gotta give what the people want."
"And that's why you're lover boy." Maxon teased. He reached up and ruffled my hair. I narrowed my eyes at him playfully, but he just smiled and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Thank you for the opening show, Preston." Our music group counsellor Brooks, commented with a slight shake of his head and an amused smile on his face. "If it's alright though...I would love to get back to today's session."
"Of course, sorry Brooks," I replied, grinning. I fixed my hair by gently running my fingers through it, brushing some of the strands out of my face.
"Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in music?" Brooks asked me. He came to stand around the front of his desk, leaning his lower back against it. I shook my head.
"Uh, no, not really. I've always just viewed music as a hobby of mine."
Brooks hummed. "Well, I think it's something that you should consider."
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Precious Virtue ✓
Ficção Geral[Precious Series Book Two] As the weeks go by and summer break ends, Preston King and Adrien Aguilera's mending friendship becomes just a bit more complicated as they start university, and they're separated by distance. For Preston, while he's exci...
