Between the lines • a between us sequel (Ellie Williams x female oc)

𝟑 • 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗅 𝖽𝖺𝗆𝖺𝗀𝖾

Ellie

"When did you first realize your addiction was a problem?"

I've probably heard this question at least a dozen times, and each time I felt like I had a different answer.
The initial overdose for one, two, when I decided to check fentanyl off my list of dumb shit to do and cheated, and then there's three, what came after.

"Ellie, would you like to answer?"

I looked up from my tapping foot, and at the woman behind the question.

Kristen or Kris for short, had been here since I started coming to these NA meetings, and she was the first one to show me genuine support.

I had to give her credit, I hadn't always made it easy for her in the past 2 and a half years.

"I'd love to." I said in a subtle sarcastic tone that only she would pick up on.

I leaned forward in the metal chair, and grounded my feet into the linoleum, wiping sweaty palms on the denim over my thighs, "3 years ago-" I take a deep breath, my body rejecting the memory in real time, "- I made a bad decision, and fucked my relationship up- "
I paused, preparing myself, still struggling to spit the words out no matter how many times I've recounted the events.
"- it got really bad after, started doing all sorts of shit, and fell back into toxic relationships."

There was a moment of silence, everyone in the room looking to me for the climax, and it was times like these that really made me wish I skipped out on today's meeting.

I shook my head, but ultimately came to the conclusion that this isn't something I can run away from anymore.
The air slipped past my lips, and made me feel lighter on the exhale as I spoke, "My friend from back home called one day to tell me my childhood best friend died from an overdose. He was only 22."

"When you got that phone call, how'd it make you feel?" Kris asked, and I gave her a unamused stare.

I lean back in the chair, and crossed my arms over myself, "I was pissed at him."

"Mmhm. Why were you angry?"

Jesus. You're really pushing it, lady.

I wanted to raise my voice at her, and tell her to fuck off, but the anger would've been misdirected.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, and looked at my lap to concentrate what I was really feeling.

"I'm angry because I wasn't around to help him."

-

It was dark out by the time the meeting ended, and I had just opened the door to start walking to my car when I hear my name being called from behind.

"Ellie!"

I turned, and see Kris jogging to catch up with me.

"Hey-" She half laughs-half pants, reaching a hand out to place it on my shoulder.

"Uh- hi?" I laugh with her out of discomfort, "What's up?"

Kris opens her mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the frantic buzzing in my hand.

I lifted my phone up, sighing as I see the name.

"Your wife again?"

I clicked the button on the side, silencing it and stuffed it into my back pocket.

"She's not my wife."

I heard Kris hum like she wasn't convinced. And in her defense, I get it. Who wouldn't think that? We live together, sleep together, argue, and take turns changing her son's diapers in the middle of the night, but it's not out of love- it's necessity.