Tripping Down 12 Steps Into Malibu

Later Asshole

"Well, I guess this is it." Ryan's father turned to face him.

"Don't be so dramatic. I'll be out in a couple of weeks tops."

"You think you can get over an addiction that quickly?"

"I think I can fake it for that long." Ryan laughed. "These 12 step programs are so full of shit. You just tell them what they want to hear. Kiss a little ass. And you're out!"

"George, really-"

"I might even get a certificate."

"Do you have to be such a-"

"Will you hang it on the fridge? Will you, daddy? Please!"

"That's enough, George!" He finally snapped. "Can you not be an asshole for two seconds?"

"One. Two." He smirked.

"Oh for fuck's sake! Why do I even try with you?"

"Because I'm your son. And for some odd reason, you love me."

The words were said in a mocking manner. But it made Ryan's father's expression sober.

"I really do, George." He placed his hand on his shoulder. Squeezing slightly. "I'm not doing this for some spiteful reason. I want you go get better."

"I know that, dad."

Ryan shifted his shoulder under his father's warm hand. This wasn't something they did. They never spoke about feelings or showed emotion period for that matter.

"Why do you look so uncomfortable?"

"Why are you being so nice?" He couldn't help the downturn of his lips.

"What? Would you rather I say something rude?"

"It'd bring back the normality of things."

His father made a face, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. But then he remembered who his son was. Of course Ryan wanted something weird.

"Fine." He took his hand off his shoulder and stuffed them into his pockets. He eyed Ryan for a few seconds. "Later, asshole."

"Later, dad." He smiled, turning away to enter the door.

Someone tried to walk through at the same time as him and he stopped. Almost stepping on the person's shoes in the process.

He looked over and saw the boy from earlier. The same one who'd stared at him like a creep. When he'd glanced at him before, all he saw was a douche hairstyle and huge fucking lips. But  now that he was closer, he could see more in dept. He had chocolate eyes, a douche hairstyle and huge fucking lips.

Ryan brushed past him to walk through the door first. He was going to complain about not knowing where the meeting room was. But before he could, he spotted the arrow sign pointing in the direction of the room.

He strolled in. Rolling his eyes when he saw the large group of people sitting in chairs that formed a circle. It was too typical of an approach to not be funny. Ryan sat in one of the only empty chairs left. The rest of the people filled the room a few seconds later. The door clicked shut and Jesse stood.

"Welcome home, ladies and gentlemen. I know you heard that when you registered, but I just wanted to say it again. Because I want you to know that this will be your home for as long as you need it. We will be your family." He opened his arms as if to give the air a hug. "There's something else I want to make clear. This is a 12 step program. Each step is different for each person. No two people's journey are exactly the same. So don't expect to mend in the same way at the same speed."

"I don't think I'm supposed to be here." Ryan stood up. "I've already tried the whole 12 step program thing. I couldn't deal with the whole 'giving your problems to God.' And 'thanking God for helping' stuff. I'm not religious at all."

"This isn't that type of 12 step." Jesse motioned for him to sit back down. Ryan reluctantly did. "This program is not religious at all. This is a special made alternative to the usual 12 step."

"What's so different about it?" This was the first interruption that didn't come from Ryan.

"I'm glad you asked." Jesse spun in a circle to get a look at the full crowd. He clapped his hands together and smiled at them. "Step One!"