Addictive Adolescence

Camping Trip

"Sebastian! I have a great idea! Let's go hiking!" Stephanie exclaimed. I was at my job and she came in to see me and order a drink. She looked gorgeous. Her long hair was pulled back in a barette with her messy bangs falling in her eyes. She was still in her casual school clothes; a black crop top and faded blue jean shorts with her favourite Allstar hightops. If I wasn't behind that cash register giving another customer change, I'd be on the other side making out with that beauty.

"You know I'm working Stephy. I have to work overtime again." I told her as I handed back change to an elderly woman. "Thank you" she said. I smiled.

"I know...ugh. Why can't you let Chris take over? You know he still owes you when he asked you take his shift." She said matter of factly.

I rolled my eyes at her,"Darling, please. You and I both know Chris wouldn't go for that. He's got his head too far up his...you know what."

"Hey! McCallen! What's that you said?!" An angry Chris yelled from behind.

"Oh shoot. Run Steph!" I yelled jokingly.

Chris slapped my shoulder and grinned over at Stephanie. "Why hello, Ms. Carbjo! Fancy seeing you here. Would you care for more sugar? I've got plenty." He laughed like a hyena.

Stephanie made a disgusted face, "How are you friends with him Sebastian? Ugh. Hi Chris do you think you can do a favor for us tonight?"

"No, Steph. I can handle this." I told her sternly.

She gave me puppy dog eyes. "Please Sebastian!"

"Fine." She had me trapped under her spell.

"Chris would you mind taking my shift tonight? If you're busy I understand but Stephanie and I want to go hiking." I asked my bestfriend of 10 years.

"Hmm, sure man. I think Casey and her cousin are coming in to help clean up. Plus that gives me and her some alone time. So I dig." Chris grinned.

I loved him. We were like brothers. He helped me through so much.

"Baby, be careful! It's too dark out here. Do you have the map handy?"

We were walking through the empty river bed. Coyotes howled in the distance. Our only light source was the moon. We packed a tent, sleeping bags, a canteen, lantern, and some food. We were set for whatever came our way.

I had a knife from my Boy Scout days in my pocket. I would kill whoever tried to harm Stephanie or me.

It was almost daylight when we set up camp near a tunnel. We had been walking for 6 hours. We needed to get rest before it got hot.

"I hope we find cool rocks or something on this hike! I can add them to my collection." Stephanie had a rock collection. Everywhere we went she had to take at least one rock with her. We rested for 4 hours and we're woken up by the sun shining down its heat on us. We looked at the map and decided to go South. We packed up and continued our trip. Along the way we met other travellers and some homeless men and women. They shared their stories with us and gave us some necessities in trade for some of our cold water. It was wonderful learning all these new things about people. By mid afternoon we had walked over 5 miles. We were coming into another town.

We decided to get lunch at one of the diners. It was nicely air conditioned, we freshened up in the restrooms and ordered a yummy meal. After we ate we continued walking. We would sing everything we saw, it was kinda dorky but entertaining.

"Oh I see a tree, a beautiful rustic, tree." Stephanie sang.

"With big green thorns and brown snails" I croaked.

We both laughed at how silly this was and that my singing was terrible.

After more long hours of walking we reached a trail. It was a bike and hiker trail. Stephanie had brought her Dad's old Polaroid and began snapping photos. This was going to be a great memory. She took a photo of me feeding a squirrel and then one of the two of us in front of an old farm house. Nothing could have ruined our happiness.

We finally made it to a huge creek. I threw off my heavy bag, and shirt, then jumped in. The cold water felt wonderful on my hot, sweaty, and sore shoulders. I called for Stephanie to get in. She just smiled and snapped photos of me.

"Don't make me dump that camera! I'm going to get you!" I teased her splashing water.

She squealed and ran to a huge rock for safety. "No! It's got bacteria in there Sebastian!"

I continued to splash her and shrugged my shoulders, "Well baby that means whatever I have now, you're gonna get" I grinned stupidly at her.

She laughed at me, "Oh brother! I'm getting in"

As she began to undress I noticed purple bruises on her sides. It made me curious. I shrugged it off though. She tried stepping in slowly but I grabbed her and we went under together. She spit water in my face, "You big jerk!"

"I love you!" I smiled and then as she brought her arms to my neck to kiss me. I noticed again. Her arms were all bruised up. Like she had had her blood drawn. I stared at them and began to trace them with my fingers. She pulled her arms away and crossed them over her bare chest.

"Where did you get those?" I asked her worried.

"I don't want to tell you. You'll be angry again" she looked away.

"Tell me. Did someone hurt you?" I looked at her concerned.

"No, I did that." She turned red.

"You hurt yourself? Why, baby? What's wrong tell me." I drew closer to her.

"No, I was shooting up."

I gasped.