Tripping Down 12 Steps Into Malibu

Bye For Now

Brendon was grasping onto Dallon's arm for dear life. His wide eyes searched around the crowded waiting room of people. People who were nothing like him. People with ash gray skin and yellow teeth. People with red blotches decorating the skin of their inner arms. People digging their nails into their bodies. Already tweaking for their next fix.

Brendon wasn't like these people. He'd gone months at a time without even looking at cocaine. He could function on a normal daily schedule without using a drug. He didn't need to be here. He needed to be somewhere better. Some where with more stable people.

"I don't want to be here." He whispered to Dallon.

"I know." Dallon eyed the people in the room. "I almost don't want to leave you here."

"Look at these people! I'm not in a rehab center. I'm checking in to an insane asylum."

"You look better than that right now. But a few nights ago, you looked just like these people, babe."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No-"

"Welcome to Malibu's 12 step program." A loud voice broke through the commotion in the room. Causing everyone to quiet down and listen. "I'm the owner and my name is Jesse. We're so happy to have you all today."

"Not as happy as we are to be here, Jesse."

The sarcastic comment came from a few feet away from Brendon. He turned to look at who'd said it.

It was a tall boy with brown hair that was curling in every direction. He was skinny, ridiculously so. And his facial hair was too scarce to be a beard. But too plentiful to be five-o-clock shadow.

He was wearing a pair of designer skinny jeans and a Beatles T-shirt. His blazer was the same color as his gator shoes. Shoes that probably cost more than everything in Brendon's suitcase.

His head snapped in Brendon's direction. Like he'd felt him staring at him or something. Brendon meant to look away. But when the man's honey brown eyes connected with his, he couldn't move. His own eyes widened at his face.

Wide, almond shaped eyes. Button nose. Thin, dry lips. He almost looked too young to be here. Almost because the bags under his eyes gave away his age and experience. The hard set of his features showed his maturity.

"Boo!" He only mouthed the word but Brendon still flinched.

The man's wide eyes narrowed as he smiled mischievously.

Dallon frowned down at Brendon. Rubbing soothing patterns in his back when he felt him jump. He tried to ask what was wrong but Brendon's gaze was too focused on the man to pay attention to his boyfriend's concerns. Dallon followed his gaze to the man. But when he looked, the man was no longer staring at Brendon. His face was turned to the front of the room.

"Well, I'm excited you're excited." Jesse continued. "From this point forward, your recovery is in the hands of my wonderfully capable staff. Please say your goodbyes here. If you are not going to be a guest at this facility, we can't allow you past this point. Visiting days are Tuesday and Friday. When you are all set, please join us in the meeting room." He clapped his hands together in finalization.

"So this is goodbye." Brendon looked up at Dallon dramatically. Squeezing his hands in his.

"Yeah." Dallon snorted. "For like a day and a half. I'll be back here Friday."

"I'm afraid."

"Don't be. These people are here to help you, baby."

"What if they can't help me?"

"They will." He grabbed his face into his hands. "And then when you get out of here, we'll get married. You still want to marry me, right?"

"Yeah." He nodded. Tears filling his dark eyes. "I'm just really going to miss you."

Dallon lowered his lips onto Brendon's. Kissing him slowly enough to drive the smaller man insane. Brendon's eyelids sank when he pulled away.

"Be safe." Dallon stepped back from him. Holding onto only one of his hands now.

"Okay."

"I love you." He squeezed his fingers.

"I love you more."