Serendipity

Chapter 9

I don't know what happened, but when classes started back up and I didn't get invited to my Mom's birthday party, I fell a little bit off my rocker.

A little bit though, is an understatement.

I'd never been into a fight before, but when this bubbly girl that reminded me of my "friend" Lauren from back home invited me to a shopping trip in Paris, I punched her in the face.

The paparazzi got it on video.

I was sitting outside of a restaurant because I didn't feel like going home, and this guy offered me a cigarette, and I accepted, and now I've been smoking for three months.

It's November now. I haven't spoken to anybody in my family since July, but I really just don't care anymore.

Not only do I smoke cigarettes, but I smoke weed also.

Hell, I got arrested a month and a half ago and Delaney had to bail me out.

She was yelling at me for so long, but I just paid her back to shut her up. She didn't though, she kept going at me, and she ended the conversation in tears, and she locked herself in her room, and Ari started crying too, and she went in her room.

I've never seen them cry before that.

I hardly speak to anybody anymore.

I pay the rent for Delaney and Ari, I don't hang out with them.

They're probably just as fake as everyone else in my life.

I haven't even spoken to my own brother.

I'm wandering campus now, a blunt sticking out of my mouth.

I don't really care about anything anymore. My grades are slipping and I'm close to being kicked out.

Mom won't save me now.

I don't give a shit.

I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt and leggings, and flip flops, and it's snowing.

I don't care.

"Carmen?" I familiar voice sounds.

I know he's been looking for me around campus. I've avoided him.

He's got me now, and it's not like I actually give a fuck, so I turn around, taking a long swipe of my blunt, and then blow it out.

"Shaun." I say simply, my voice emotionless.

There's been talk around campus about how fucked up I am.

"What the hell? Is that weed?"

I shrug.

"Maybe."

Silence.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"It doesn't matter. I don't care about anything anymore."

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my wrist.

People are staring now.

"Let go of me, Shaun." I snarl.

"I'm calling Mom." He says.

He looks...

He looks scared.

"She doesn't fucking care." I hiss, taking another drag.

"Carmen, you need to go, there's a cop."

"I don't fucking care." I say. "I already got arrested."

With that, I rip my wrist from his grip and walk away.

I don't glance back at my brother, but I know he's on the phone.