Beyond the Lesson (TXS)

Being There

"And you're positive it was a mark?" Maira asks as we sit at the cafe in town. We come here when one of us is having a very off day. It has to be bad to come here and we have some bad days but this, I was one thought away from just driving to her house.

I nod. "Unfortunately my parents fought a lot. I've seen them before on my mom's skin whenever dad went on a binge." I say and Lucas grabs my hand and squeezes it reassuringly and I smile slightly.

"Ok. So someone hurt Verena. What are you going to do if she isn't going to talk to you about it? You can't pressure her into doing it."

I sigh. "Well why not? I mean she says she can't trust me because of Sierra but she's hiding the fact that something is seriously wrong. It's like she was afraid of me and telling me things that person said to her as a protective mechanism."

They shrug. "Just give her time. You simply being there not pressuring her to talk about it or anything will show her you want to be with her. She'll tell you when she's ready."

"Or whenever the person comes around while you are. Then she'll have no choice." Lucas says putting a fry in his mouth.

"But I shouldn't go over there?"

"I mean I would." He says and Maira hits his arm. "Ow!" He rubs.

"No you don't go over there. She wants space. If you invade it she'll take out whatever anger she has on that person on you. You don't need that Talia." She says and I nod agreeing. "You're a protector Talia we know," I look at her in her eyes. "But she's not asking for help right now." I nod. We continue eating and talking and laughing. These are the moments where I appreciate my friends the most.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." I call out when we walk to our cars.

"Love you!" Lucas yells and they get in the car and drive off. I get in Tysons and head home. I make it home right as the sun finishes setting and I sigh at another day in an empty house. It's so quiet, I hate the quiet. It's so empty, I hate all this space. So much space. So much thinking. Thinking leads to memories. Memories lead to my parents. My parents lead to anger, and then sadness and then hatred and then- sniffle. Crying. I hate crying. I hate crying over them! They left me! They didn't even care I was there watching them kill themselves. They died with smiles on their faces as if leaving me was the best decision they ever made. I leave the door way and go to the kitchen.

"Where is it?" I look through all the cabinets and just grow more frustrated the more I can't find it. Tysons room. I go upstairs and open his door. Now where would he hide it? I look under his bed and suck my teeth seeing the glass bottle of dark liquor. I go back down stairs and grab a glass. I want to get drunk but I'm still classy. I pour the alcohol in the glass and down it already preparing my second glass before it can even finish burning my chest. I down that one and go to pour another. Bzzz! I groan and ignore it. I lift the glass to my lips-Bzzz! "God!" I take out my phone.

Verena❤️: hi
Me: hey
Verena❤️: I know you're supposed to come over tomorrow but can you come now?

You've got to be kidding me! When I decide to drink she invites me over because she needs me?! I hate my life.

Me: I want to Verena but I can't
Verena❤️: oh ok
Me: ive been drinking and I don't want to drive under the influence
Verena❤️: you didn't have to explain it but I understand. yes be responsible
Me: why don't you come over here? I'll sober myself up enough before you get here
Verena❤️: it's not that serious
Me: and yet u asked me to come over after asking for space Verena. come

I start grabbing a water from my fridge immediately drinking it to counter balance the alcohol in my system.

Verena❤️: send me your address
Me: sent location
Verena❤️: I'll be there in 20 minutes
Me: be safe