LAST FOREVER( Complete ✅️)

Chapter 14 :UPSIDE DOWN

My eyes fluttered open, and I was greeted by the soft, filtered light that streamed through the curtains of my room. The throbbing in my head was relentless, and as I groaned in discomfort, the memories of the previous night came rushing back. Haden. The bar. His voice.

I couldn't shake the feeling that he had been there, a spectral presence in the dimly lit space. But it was just another elusive fragment of a night that had quickly unraveled into chaos.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up, the blankets slipping from my body. My room was bathed in shades of soft pastels, a stark contrast to the haze of the bar. I glanced at the clock – it was much later than I had intended to wake up.

The hangover hit me like a freight train, a pounding headache that felt like I had been on the receiving end of a brutal punch. My mouth was dry, my limbs heavy, and every movement sent waves of nausea rippling through me.

I forced myself out of bed, shuffling towards the bathroom. The cold water of the shower helped to clear my head, and I let the droplets cascade over me, washing away the remnants of the night before.

After the shower, I dressed in a pair of comfortable shorts and a loose-fitting t-shirt. My long hair, damp from the shower, cascaded down my back in wavy curls. I didn't bother tying it up; I wanted the freedom of letting it flow, a small rebellion against the confines of my own life.

As I made my way downstairs, the scent of breakfast wafted up from the kitchen. My grandmother was there, her stern expression softened by the act of cooking. But as soon as she saw me, her eyes narrowed with disapproval.

"Sierra," she began, her voice carrying a mixture of concern and frustration, "I can't believe you went out drinking again. It's a bad habit, and it's affecting your health."

I bristled at her words, the hangover-induced irritability bubbling to the surface. "I'm an adult, Grandma," I retorted, my voice sharper than I had intended. "I can make my own decisions."

Her gaze hardened, her disappointment palpable. "And where did these decisions lead you last night?"

I didn't have the patience for this conversation, not now. My head throbbed, and my stomach churned. I stormed past her, ignoring her words, and headed for the front door.

"Sierra!" she called after me, her voice a mix of anger and worry, but I didn't turn back. I needed space, fresh air, and maybe a chance to clear my head.

As I walked down the familiar corridors of our school, my mood was as gloomy as the clouds outside. The lingering hangover was a constant reminder of last night's chaos, but the encounter that awaited me was entirely unexpected.

I spotted Andy standing by his locker, and despite my irritation, a glimmer of relief washed over me. At least there was someone I could talk to about the whirlwind of confusion and disappointment that had become my life.

I approached him with a scowl that was ready to burst into an angry tirade, but Andy's dejected expression gave me pause. He looked like he had aged years overnight.

"Andy, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you," I said, my voice sharp with frustration.

He turned to face me, and his eyes held a sadness I had never seen before. "Sierra, we need to talk," he replied, his voice weighed down by the gravity of his words.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my irritation momentarily overshadowed by concern.

He took a deep breath, his gaze avoiding mine. "I... I got a girl pregnant at a party."

My jaw dropped, and I stared at him in disbelief. "What? How is that even possible? You're gay!"

Andy's shoulders slumped, and he seemed to struggle to find the right words. "Sierra, it was one drunk night, and... I don't know, maybe I've been confused about who I am."

I blinked, my mind racing to process this revelation. Andy, my openly gay best friend, had somehow found himself in a situation that defied explanation. It was like the world had turned upside down, and I didn't know which way was up anymore.

"You're... confused?" I stammered, unable to wrap my head around the concept.

He nodded, his expression filled with self-doubt. "Yeah, I guess I am. I've always identified as gay, but maybe... maybe I'm not as sure as I thought."

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and I felt a surge of disappointment, not just in him, but in the world that seemed determined to upend everything I knew.

"How could you let this happen, Andy?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and sadness. "Of all people, Emily?"

He winced at the mention of her name, and I could see the guilt etched across his face. "I know, Sierra. I messed up big time."

The corridors around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this bubble of confusion and disappointment. I felt a pang of betrayal, as if Andy's identity crisis had somehow taken another piece of stability from my life.

Unable to contain my frustration, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the empty hallway, and Andy staggered back, his hand touching his cheek where my handprint had bloomed.

"I can't believe you," I whispered, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "I can't believe any of this."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, leaving Andy standing alone in the corridor, our friendship unraveling just like everything else in my life.

*******

I slumped into the comfy chair in Dr. Foster's office, tossing my bag aside with a huff. "Doc, you won't believe the mess my life's become. It's like a bad soap opera, I swear."

Dr. Foster leaned back in her chair, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, tell me about it, Sierra. I'm all ears."

I sighed dramatically. "Okay, so remember Andy, my best friend? The guy who's been all 'I'm gay and proud' for, like, forever? Turns out he's not so sure about that anymore. Like, hello? Identity crisis much?"

Dr. Foster raised an eyebrow. "That is quite surprising. Have you talked to him about it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I slapped some sense into him, verbally at least. But seriously, Doc, it's messed up. I mean, it's 2023, who has identity crises these days?"

She smiled. "People of all ages, Sierra. It's a part of figuring out who we are.I hope you are continuing with your boxing lessons to release some of that anger Sierra"

I groaned. "Well,yes I am I promise. And then there's my grandma, who just doesn't get it. She's all 'you need to stop drinking, Sierra,' but she just doesn't get what's going on in my head."

Dr. Foster nodded sympathetically. "It's tough when there's a generation gap. Have you tried talking to her about your feelings?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, but it's like she's speaking a whole different language. And then there's Haden. That boy just ghosted me, Doc. One day he's there, the next day he's gone. Poof!"

Dr. Foster leaned forward. "Haden... the guy from your boxing lessons?"

I nodded. "The one and only. I swear, he's like the Houdini of teenage boys."

"Sierra," Dr. Foster said gently, "I understand that you're concerned about Haden, but maybe it's time to focus on other aspects of your life. School or boxing, perhaps? Dwelling on his disappearance might not be healthy."

I sighed, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "Yeah, you're right, Doc. It's just... it's not like I'm obsessed with him or anything. But why would he just disappear like that? It's evil."

Dr. Foster nodded. "It's natural to have questions, but sometimes people have their reasons, even if we don't understand them. What's important is that you keep moving forward and take care of yourself."

We continued to chat, and I couldn't help but feel a bit better. Dr. Foster had this way of making even the messiest parts of my life seem a little less daunting. And I knew that no matter how insane things got, I had someone to talk to who'd always listen and she gives great advice sometimes.