Thursday (Sequel to 'From Eden')

eleven

** IMPORTANT: Paige pov!
And 🚨 TW: Drug abuse 🚨 *

"That is fucking wild!" Liam's bleach blonde head was in his hands, and his eyes poked out between his fingers. "In a million years, I never would have guessed that you and Chloe would be on speaking terms before you were discharged. Like, I could see you guys meeting up after you were settled in the real world again, but man, this is crazy!"

"I know." I laughed, a permanent grin stuck on my face. It had been a week since I last talked to Chloe on the phone and around two weeks since Brooke reached out too. I was definitely excited for her to call again. "And my sister's on speaking terms with her too, which is another shocker."

At first, I was mad my sister reached out to Chloe when I told her in confidence about what happened, but she explained that Chloe had saved my life...and she never thanked her for it. That shut me up pretty quickly, because I realized I never thanked her either. One reason I'm excited to use my phone time with her again this week. It was a Sunday so I couldn't call yet, but soon!

"It was all me," Angela brought me back to reality, who had become a precious member of our little rehab friend group since she motivated me to speak to Chloe. "Sometimes, y'all, all you need is a little 'push come to shove'." She punched me playfully in the shoulder.

"Sure," I scoffed in amusement. "I honestly...I never thought this is how this would be going either. Let alone the fact I get out of here in less than a month now."

My six months of rehab were almost up, which was also crazy to me. January 26th was the golden discharge date, and it was New Year's Eve tonight, December 31st. I was cognizant of the fact that I would usually be out partying tonight, but today the fear was replaced with abnormal content. The fact I could feel my healing and growth made me even more confident I would be okay once I was discharged, though it was an intimidating thought to be free, out in the real world again.

"That means me, too," Liam smiled, high fiving me. "I can't wait to be able to just take care of my siblings again...and get a fucking hamburger whenever I want."

"Don't leave us!" Carla whined, who was staying for a longer period of time. "I don't know what I'm even gonna do without you guys."

"We'll make the most of it tonight, don't worry," I touched her hand. "Here's to a new year, huh?" I toasted my cup of water, and everyone else toasted theirs with me, even Angela, though she did mutter something about my corniness.

It was then Nick hobbled into the mess hall, looking just as down and distressed as he normally does. I didn't understand how he constantly could push his own therapists away. It was like he made no progress, all throughout rehab. Still, I knew what he needed was kindness, not judgement, even if I was further ahead of him. It was just frustrating to see him so unmotivated, now that I was further along in my recovery journey.

"Hey, guys," He sat next to Angela, and dapped her up. "What's cookin'?"

"Chicken," I answered, giving him a little smile. "You should go up there and get some."

"Think I will, if you save my spot." Nick's bangs covered his eyes completely now, and I wondered how he could even see through them. Apparently he couldn't, because I watched him bump into a table on the way up to the kitchen.

"Did y'all see that?" Angela asked, nodding at him.

"Yeah," I snickered. "He needs to cut his hair."

She rolled her eyes loudly at me, leaned in, and brought her voice down to a hushed whisper. "You dumbass. I don't know how the hell he did it, but he done smuggled drugs in here. Look at him! He's high as fuck!"