Flashback
Sawyer POV - October 2024
"Dude. What're you like not on your medication?" Sloane asks me.
I shrug, "When I forget like my ADHD medication, I'm short-tempered, explosive, and just a ball of energy."
She nods, "What about your other meds?"
"I don't really know. Before I was medicated for my anxiety, I was like Velcro to my momma."
She hums.
"Sometimes I like to not take my meds." She smiles.
"Like it makes me feel free, not like dampened." She continues.
I stop walking, "Oh?"
"Yeah. I pretend to take my meds and then just don't swallow the pills. I don't know, it's fun to feel like my authentic self."
I start walking again, "Huh."
"We should do it together one day, could be fun."
I sigh, "I don't know Sloane..."
"Aw! Come on! Don't be a wimp, it'll be fun." She says.
I frown, "I'm not a wimp."
She shrugs, "Then do it with me."
I groan, "Okay, fine. When? My parents are going out of town."
"Sounds like a perfect time to do it." She says.
She stares at me, "Tomorrow?"
I nod, "Okay."
A horn honks and she sees her car, "My mom is here, let's have some fun tomorrow!"
She runs off and I wave.
'Is this a good idea?'
A horn honks and my head snaps up.
I see momma and smile, "Come on, boy."
I walk up to her car, "Hi, momma."
"Hi, baby. Who were you talking with?" She asks as I get in.
I shrug, "Sloane. She's in a few of my classes and my speech group."
"Huh. Is she the same age?"
I shake my head, "Year younger, but she's uh smart? So she's in senior classes."
She nods, "Oh, cool. Maybe she can come over."
I shrug, "Maybe. Is my car fixed?"
She nods, "Yeah, so you'll be back to driving yourself."
"Cool." I say.
She pulls out and starts heading home, "So Pops and I are leaving tonight, okay?"
I sigh, "Yeah. I know."
"We will be back on Sunday. Just a quick trip to Miami. Auntie Jeri is here and Auntie Jen is staying over too to help."
I sigh and nod, "Can I come?"
She shakes her head, "Not this time."
"You always say that." I complain.
"Sawyer..."
I shrug, "What? You do. And then I never get to go."
"That's not true, baby. You get to go when it's summer and during breaks for school. It's important that you don't-"
