New Drug

Epilogue

Quitting wasn't and will never be easy, but I did it. I had quit for a month and I believed that this time, I wouldn't relapse. With Carter and Hayley supporting me, my books distracting me, and my want for a good future, I knew I'd stay clean.

It was weird to be rid of drugs. After being dependent on them for years, I felt like I had lost something important. But then I'd tell myself that drugs weren't important. Maybe they had helped me, but in the long run they would've ruined me. Drugs weren't good and finally, my body seemed to accept that as I no longer felt the desperate urge to smoke.

"What are you thinking about?" Carter asked, zoning me back in.

I looked at him and remembered it was lunch time. Shaking my head, I told myself to start living in the moment. No more forgetting about the world by numbing everything.

"Sorry," I said. "I was just... Thinking about everything that's happened. It's unbelievable that I quit. Especially again."

"It is man. You've changed and I couldn't be more proud of you," Carter said, grinning. "An awesome future awaits you."

"Do you really think that?" I asked, curious. "Just because I quit drugs, that doesn't mean I'll have a great life."

I had to be honest, that was something I often thought about. Drugs may have caused me to screw up in some aspects of my life, but I didn't think drugs ever defined me. They were a part of my life, but not the main focus. Due to that, I wondered if a happy life was in my cards.

"Honestly, I don't know," Carter answered. "The thing about the future is that it's unpredictable. I can't just say you'll be happy because I have no idea if you will be, but I hope you will be. You deserve it, Logan."

I smiled at Carter, thankful he was my best friend. He had stayed at my side, just like Hayley, while I quit. The both of them were incredibly supportive and I knew I couldn't have done it without them.

"Now, tell your mom," Carter suddenly said. "Today. She deserves to know what's going on."

I didn't say anything to that because as usual, I was afraid. After last time, I didn't want to disappoint her. I never wanted to see her cry again, especially because of me, so I was unsure.

    "Come on Logan, she'll be so happy. Don't you want her to be happy?" Carter asked.

    "I don't want to mess up again," I said honestly.

    "You won't. This time, you've got this."

    Carter stared at me, serious, and I felt like he was right. He wasn't often like this, so I knew that maybe, this was legit. I was clean and I would stay that way. Grinning, I planned to finally tell Mom.

*****

    Walking to where Mom sat on the couch, I stood in front of her. I blocked her view of the tv, forcing her to look at me. She didn't look too happy about that, but she stared at me. Her eyes looked sad and tired, and I hoped my news would change that look.

    "Guess what?" I said, feeling my heart race with nerves.

    "What?" Mom asked, looking confused.