It was dark. It was lonley. I was alone. I wasn't aware of much, other than Renegade standing beside me while I sat, letting the burn of liquor soothe the ache in my chest. I was in the same spot I'd found Hayley when we first met, and I was absolutely waisted. The only thing on my mind was the fact that I wanted the pain to go away. I wanted it gone. I didn't care that I was gonna have a hangover from hell tomorrow, or that I'd be sick on myself if I continued to drink.
It was peculiar when I heard a voice, slightly distorted from my drunken state, that questioned my name and when I gave a lazy grin whispered one word: shit. I felt myself burst into laughter at the state I was in. It was funny, really. I had been doing so well and then my heart broke and I was back to square one.
"Shasta, put the liquor bottle down. That's enough. Come on, I'll help you back to the house." It was Hayley who spoke to me.
"Why? Becaushe of my shister or becaushe Connor shent you?" I slurred, clearly drunk.
Hayley shook her head, pulling the bottle out of my grasp. She pulled me to my feet, and I was insanely sick on her boots.
"Thanks. Please, never drink again." She grumbled.
A small grumbled made its way out of my mouth as she lifted me onto Melody. Hayley led the mare down the trail with Renegade in tow. My vision was unclear and the air around me was bitter as the cold summer night air wrapped around my barely covered body. I was wearing short shorts and a tan tank top with my boots. I shivered slightly as the cold air covered me like a blanket.
She didn't question me as to what went wrong, or why I had gotten so drunk I was incompetent. She didn't judge. Instead, she led me off, back to the barn without question. It was then that I realized I had at least one true friend.
When we got back to the barn, she clipped Melody and Renegade into the cross ties and walked around the corner. She came back with Alec, a guy just slightly older than me who had been sent here right after his parents divorced and his mom over- dosed on heroine. His calm demeanour made me feel safe around him. His black hair fell just over his soft hazel eyes and his nose was slightly dusted with frekles. All in all, he was pretty attractive.
Alec walked over and pulled his hoodie off, pulling it over my head and my arms through the sleeves. He then pulled me into his arms, bridle style, and carried me off to the house. He was up the stairs and half way down the hall, almost to my room before Connor stood in his way, his face set in a deep scowl. He was pissed.
"What the hell are you doing? Did you get her drunk?" Connor interrogated.
"Look, I'm just trying to get her to her room so she can sleep it off. Hayley found her in the woods like this and asked for my help." Alec replied calmly.
"No need. I've got it from here." Connor growled.
I gripped Alec's shirt in my fist and looked up at him, eyes pleading. "Please don't let him take me. I don't want him. Please. I want you to take me to my room. Don't let him."
Tears stung my eyes and I clung to Alec.
"Looks like you don't have it from here. She doesn't want you, I'm going to respect that. If you have a problem with it, talk to me tomorrow." With that, Alec pushed past Connor and opened the door to my room.
Melody decided to go sleep in Sage's room with her friends. I was glad she was getting better. Alec sat me down on my bed, gently, and walked to the bathroom, but he came back with a cup of water. A feeling of fear and sadness washed over me and before I knew it, I had tears rolling slowly down my cheeks, silent sobs passing my lips.
I sat up slowly and looked at my lap, ashamed to be crying in front of Alec, who I barely knew. I pulled his sweatshirt over my head and set it beside me. I felt the bed dip as he sat beside me, pulling me close.
"Can you get my pajama pants and the purple t-shirt from the bottom drawer please? I'm sorry...." I trailed off.
"Of course I can, it's alright. Don't be sorry." He said, walking to the dresser. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I-it's just that I was d-doing so well and then Connor and I.... we... I don't even know what to call it but then... his mom found out.... and he just gave up. He snapped at me and he g-gave up.... and now I'm back to square one, having to put m-myself back t-together." I mumbled, trying to relax and stop crying.
Alec nodded, handing me my pajamas and sitting next to me, he pulled me into a hug. Sephira wandered over, jumping into my lap. She looked at me intently, and licked my chin.
"Hey, Seph." I half laughed. Missy was asleep under the bed.
"What's her name?" Alec asked, suddenly curious.
"Uh... Sephira...." I blushed, embarrassed. "I was really into Eragon when I got her..."
"That's awesome! I love those books! And the movie too, but I didn't peg you as a girl who liked dragons." He said, laughing.
"Hey, Alec?" I inquired.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." I smile, handing him his sweatshirt.
"No problem. See you tomorrow?" He asks, standing up to leave.
"Yeah. See you." I smiled.
After Alec had left, I clumsily put on my pajamas and crawled into bed. My eyes grw heavy and sleep quickly over took me. I'd have one hell of a hang over in the morning, but I didn't care. I had just made a new friend and forgot all about Connor in the short while I was hanging out with Alec.
Word count: 1044
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Faith and Freedom
Teen Fiction"You can't honestly think that this smelly creature is the answer to my problems. Your insain. I am NOT going to Tennessee and you can't force me to! I'm FINE!" ******************************** Their parents were killed. Their lives were about to c...
