More Than a Teacher - Ashton Irwin

8

It is Sunday night and I have school tomorrow. Dreadful fucking school. Half the reason why I got shitfaced on Friday night.

I've never dreaded school this much in my life.
I've always looked forward to going as it is my escape from my parents. Now that I'm not seeing them and I'm staying at my friends' houses it is a little different. I also don't want to face Mr Irwin but I have no one but myself to blame for that one.

After my big night on Friday, all I want to do is pick up a bottle of alcohol and drink. I'm itching to get drunk again, especially as I'm stressing about showing up to school tomorrow.

Why did I have to kiss Mr Irwin? Why did I have to make things so hard for myself?

"I'm going to bed, I still feel hungover from Friday." Elle whines and collapses onto her bed next to me.

"Do we still have the bottle of vodka left?" I reply as she closes her eyes.

"What? Why?" She mumbles.

"Just answer me."

"Yeah it's in my wardrobe." She turns on her side so that she faces away from me.

A smile rises on my lips as I stare up at the ceiling. Well, I guess I will be getting through tomorrow.

But not without the help of a little vodka.

•

I pack my school bag and duffle bag that holds all the belongings I own. The weekend is over which meant I was moving on from Elle's house.

I have to arrange a stay at another friend's house some time today otherwise I will be sleeping on the streets unless I want to go back home.

However, that's where Elle thinks I go every time I leave her house. She still thinks I go back to my abusive parents but in reality I've been bouncing from house to house. I feel too ashamed of what this situation has come to. It's down right embarrassing. What kind of person has to have 'sleepovers' every night so she's not living with her psycho parents.

Me. I have to.

"I hate when you have to go home," Elle sighs as she grabs my shoulders. "You shouldn't have to live with your parents Ava."

"Yeah I know but I'll be ok." I lie. I'm not going home to them and I haven't for a few weeks now.

So far, I've been successful in staying away from the devils yet I can't help but feel it's only a ticking time bomb and that they will find me eventually. After all, they still live in the same town so it's inevitable.

"You all ready to go?" Elle swings her bag over her shoulder.

"Um yeah, nearly. Just wait for me at the front, I'll be down in a sec." I force a smile as she nods, leaving me.

I rip out my clear plastic water bottle and scramble though her wardrobe to find the golden treasure I'm looking for.

I pull the glass vodka bottle from under some clothes and grin with excitement. Flicking off the cap I pour the water like liquid into my empty bottle until it reaches a quarter to the top. The strong scent is the only thing that could potentially give away that what is in my bottle is not actually water.  I just have to be careful where and when I take the lid off.

I chuck the alcohol back under her clothes and shove the plastic bottle into my bag, running down stairs to catch the bus with Elle.

"I can't wait to see Michael." She giggles as we take our seat.

"Yeah well just be careful, he's just come out of a relationship and Angie might beat you the hell up." I yawn and rub my sore eyes.

I am tired. I haven't slept the past two nights and my mind has been a whirlwind of anxiety. I can't be sure why but my body is just so used to feeling this way that it's just how it works now.