The Truth Be Told

Tabitha Warren

Tabitha Warren

Something warm pressed against my cheek. I fluttered my eyes open to find my dog, Roxy, laying beside me on my queen-sized bed. Something had happened last night, but I couldn't quite remember what it was. I sat up in bed and slipped my feet into my worn-down black UGGs, grabbed my robe, and headed downstairs. My dad was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper when I walked in.

"Good morning Tabitha, did you sleep well?" my father asked nonchalantly. 

"I think so, I just feel like something happened last night, but I don't remember anything." I answered back. My father narrowed his eyes and looked at me quizzically. He opened his mouth as if he was going to yell, but his words ended up coming out in a steady tone. 

"Oh really, is that so? Because I distinctly remember getting a call from the police telling me that you had been found unconscious in the street." That's when all of the memories came flooding back to me. Last night's events had turned horrific very quickly. It started out as a normal high school party, but I had made some bad decisions and somehow ended up on the streets. 

"Dad I didn't mean...it all happened so fast..."

"Just save it, Tabitha, you're only 16 years old. I don't want to know all the details, all I know is that you are grounded, forever. You are not to go out ever again. Obviously I can't trust you to be responsible and make good decisions."

"But dad! That's not fair at all! If you would just listen to what I have to say, you would..."

"This discussion is over, go to your room, now!" He yelled at me. I ran up the stairs to my room, slamming the door behind me. How could he be so insensitive? He wouldn't even let me explain what had happened. I know it looked bad, but that wasn't what I had intended. I buried my face in my pillow and cried and screamed for what seemed like hours. Why am I so screwed up? Why can't I just be normal like everyone else? I had never intended to become this kind of person.

My name is Tabitha Warren, I am 16 years old. I am a junior at Shady Grove High School. I live with my dad and my two brothers in the small town of Hudson, Illinois. My older brother, Connor, is a senior at my school and my younger brother, Bentley, is in the 8th grade. Our mother left us after Bentley was born, and we haven't heard from her since. I guess you could say I am a delinquent, people often refer to me as "the rebel". I don't have many real friends, well except for Evan. Evan is a lot like me; he's an outsider and he doesn't really fit in with most of the people at our school. We met on the first day of 9th grade, and we've been best friends ever since.

My story is short and simple. I've gone to a few parties, gotten wasted, and the rest is history. My grades have gone down, and almost everyone that was close to me started avoiding me. My dad has tried to send me to a guidance counselor, but I've always refused to go. My younger brother usually won't even speak to me, but I feel like I still have somewhat of a connection with my older brother. Connor tries to help me with everything. He's the most popular guy at our school, the total "jock" type. People call him a player, even though he's been seeing the same girl, Madison, for three years. I like Madison, she's sweet and always sees the good in people; I guess I could call her my friend. I'm glad I have Connor there to look after me and help me through my darkest days, but I don't know what I'm going to do when he leaves for college next fall.