Pill By Pill {Muke}

23 - Stuck

You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. ~Dr. Suess

Luke's POV

I was laying in my room, trying to pass time with a cigarette in my hand. I usually never smoked inside, and especially at my own house. But now seemed better than ever to do so. After all, I felt as if something was gnawing at me. 

I had just lit another cigarette when my phone began going off. When I looked at the screen, I could see Sammy's name across it. I was slightly confused, I knew that Sammy never really used his phone. In fact, the only time I ever received a message from him was if either of us had a question. Otherwise, we never casually talked. It was even odder for him to be calling me. 

I picked up my phone and put it against my head. "Hey, need something?" 

"Hi Luke!" That was not Sammy.. "It's Michael." 

I sat up immediately and leaned towards the edge of my bed. "Why do you have Sammy's phone?" 

"Well, he's at my house. I only thought to call you from his phone. I'm sure you never would have answered me if I called you." Michael spoke.

"You have my number?"  I raised my eyebrows in confusion, even though he could not see it.

"I do now." 

I rolled my eyes and sighed, blowing smoke out of the corner of my mouth. "Can I help you?" 

"I just wanted you to come over, so we could talk about something." Michael said. There was something off in the tone in his voice. I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion. 

"Talk about what?" I asked. 

"Just..Something." Michael said. "I mean, you don't have to. But Sammy is here!" 

"You're trying to bribe me?" I questioned. 

"Michael, just say what happened." I heard someone say in the background, they had an edge to sadness to their voice. At this moment I felt my stomach twist. What happened? 

"Michael?" I spoke quietly. 

"Uh..Well, we didn't really invite Sammy over." Michael laughed nervously. I was standing at this point, heading towards my bedroom door. I was ready to make a bolt for his house if I needed to. "We kinda..Found him?"

"Found him? How?" I asked. "Is he, just piss-drunk or something? Is that it?" I was hoping that would be it. In fact, if that was it, I would feel much better. After all, I had found people drunk on my doorstep all the time. There was no exception and I never cared. 

"I mean..Not exactly." Michael said. "But I think it is something you should check out." His voice was shushed and in a moment I was grabbing my jacket. 

"I'll be there in five minutes." I said.

"Five?" Michael asked. "How will you get here in five minutes?" 

"I'll figure it out." I snarled and hung up my phone as I grabbed a lighter and a pack of cigarettes before racing out of the house. When I ran out the door my mother was standing there.

"Luke! Where are you going?" She called to me. 

"I have to go!" I yelled and barely turned to her. 

Then I heard her yell something back. "Luke, do you have a cigarette in your hand!?" There was a snap in her voice.

"No mother, but I have to go!" I  groaned and took off down the street for maybe about fifty feet before practically falling because of how little breath I had in my lungs. I had damaged them so much, I was surprised I had gotten that far. 

I just walked for a moment, digging my hands in my pockets as I looked around me. I felt as if I was losing my mind. Like someone was going to jump out and attack me. 

Every now and again I ran, and after a moment would be out of breath. I reached a corner that way and looked down into the puddle at my feet, while I looked in the puddle I noticed a little girl looking in it as well. And I knew her. 

I turned to face her and went wide eyed. "A-Anie?" 

"Oh hi," She smiled. "Are you in a hurry? You seem..Out of breath." 

"I trying to get somewhere's as fast as I can on feet. So yeah, I'm a little winded." I said as I hunched over. Anie laughed lightly at me. She found my exhaustion hilarious, it seemed. 

"Well," Anie said as she hugged her books close to her chest. "I hope you get to where you want to be on time." Just as she said this the crosswalk light flashed a white walking man. I waved goodbye to Anie and took off. 

In a way, she reminded me of myself when I was younger. Very kind, considerate and a bit of misfit. I remember the countless nights I stayed awake to reach the ending of a book. I remember the hours I spent studying before a test. I remembered it all. As I began to slow down and walk I looked at my reflection in a store's glass window. Taking a deep breath, I know longer saw the person I was once. I am no longer who I was, and in a way, it made my heart feel a little empty. 

I remember being an child advocate in clubs against drugs, alcohol, anything. And now, I was the victim to the one thing I said I would never try. Never let pass my lips. I had to wonder, if the world was that corrupted or I was that weak. 

I glanced down at my feet, and could see them blur beneath me. I wiped my eyes and took off down the road once more. This time, realizing I had to do it at a steady jog to get to Michael's house. When I arrived there, I was a mess. I could tell by the way my breaths were choked.

I never had to knock on the door before it opened. Michael was standing there, arms folded leaning against the door frame. "Twelve minutes." Is what he said to me, although his eyes grew wide in an instance. "What's the matter? You look like you've been crying." 

"N-Nothing." I huffed, and folded my arms. I sniffled once and looked off to the side.

"You can come in." Michael said and I walked up the steps. Once again, watching my feet blur. I had no idea what I was walking into. But I also was feeling a little lost. 

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

So, today was kinda a disaster, like everything that could have gone wrong absolutely went wrong. But I guess that's okay. Just take a deep breath and breathe a little bit. Look at me being all optimistic; although I don't think it's quite settling in. 

I hope you all had a good day though<3 

Hugs, Kisses, Cuddles and Serenades xX