Downers [Andrew Graves X Male OC]

Chapter 8: Empty

You checked into a motel a town over, still wanting to stay close in case there were any updates on the old apartment building.

Now on the third day of being stuck in an even smaller room with them, you finally got alone time with them using your money to buy takeout. Unsure of how to use your time, you open a beer you had Andrew buy, he's been supporting your new 'hobby' in hopes it'd ease the withdrawals from your previous one, of course monitoring you when he can.

You turn on the tv to a random channel and think about how your life would be if you weren't quarantined, you weren't a social butterfly before but you still had freedom. Now with five empty bottles in front of you, you sip on your sixth and begin feeling your muscles relaxing into the couch, the sun now setting outside. With the television playing Edward Scissorhands you reminisce watching it high in bed with your now ex. It's not exactly her you miss, but being a regular teen.

A few bottles deeper, the door opens and Andrew holds a bag of food and a new case of beer and Ashley holds nothing, as you expected. "My hero!" You slur and stand to greet them but you watch your feet and they watch you taking two steps per minute. "I'll meet you there." They laugh and Andrew keeps his word, making his way to you instead and he sits you back down. The cheap steak with rice sits in front of you on the coffee table and you lean forward for a bite but lean more than intended and decide it's safer on the floor. "Maybe one too many on an empty stomach, Owen." Ashley scratches your head and pulls your cheek like a kid but you take her teasing, only allowing it anytime you're not sober and she takes advantage of it.

You open another bottle with your teeth, Andrew sits next to you and opens one as well. "Do you remember dropping me off at highschool? And 'visiting' me just to see uh.. Mmm... I forgot.. Your friends, though." "Yes, I do, Omen. Why?" "I miss it.. I miss school even though I failed almost every class. I just miss being a teen." "YOU VISITED HIM!?" Ashley realizes very late, you shush her and continue your speech, "Do you think I changed a lot? I feel like I should've." You lean back on the wall. "Well.. aside from the past week, I think you've definitely stopped acting dumb." Andrew eats and gives you a bite of his food, you being too into your thoughts to do it yourself but you happily accept his fork. "I don't think I ever acted too dumb.. I was quiet." Even with your words still mixed, they manage to understand you. "You were just... slow." Ashley chimes in again, making all three of you try to remember a time where you were together to reference.

♤

The bell rings for passing period and you grab your things, silently heading in the direction to your locker before you get stopped by the already graduated Andrew and his girlfriend Julia who's about to graduate as well. They try including you in their plans after school and you just hum, your vision makes it hard for you to focus on their voices. You try reading their mouths and only gather them catching a movie after. "Sounds fun." You agree and pick up your pace again, "join us? I checked with your girlfriend already and she agreed!" Julia tugs on your backpack, "girlfriend.. Oh- yeah sure, I'll go. I'll tell her after school." "No need! She's meeting us here to pick a movie." As if on cue, you see a blonde haired girl in a preppy uniform heading towards you guys. A small curse is heard from you before you shake your head and go back inside to find your locker, "..I lost something earlier, just uhh tell me what you guys... pick." Andrew looks at you confused but not following.

The hallway is dead as you open your locker and put your backpack inside, your vision hazy as you find a small white bag and sigh with relief. Though you've been waiting for the peak from your medicine, you can't hold a conversation or make eye contact and conclude it's for the best that you kill it with a different high. Taking your daily risk, you take your keychain out of your pants and take a small amount of the white dust onto your house key. Your hand rises to your nose and you press your left nostril, inhaling the former rock with your right before you quickly make a sour face, making sure to keep still as you take your water bottle out and put some liquid in your palm, chasing the powder with the water in your nose to help it drip down your throat easier.