Falling

Chapter Two

My hands shook as I scrubbed the last of the eggs from my skin. I had deserved that, I knew I did, but it didn't make it hurt any less. It had to have been Bria and Noah and some of their other friends. The friends who also used to be my friends. They were probably the ones who had tripped me at lunch as well, and the ones who were gossiping about me in biology.

After my shower I pulled on my pajamas and flopped onto my bed, my arms outstretched. This year would be horrible, I knew it would be. There was no denying the fact that all my old friends hated me, on top of their lingering ache for Matt. Add my practically non-existent parents to the list and finish it off with a strong addiction to drugs and I was one shot short of a wack-job.

I hissed through my teeth. I had to go buy tonight. I wouldn't last until tomorrow morning without it, and I certainly wouldn't be able to get through the entire school day either.

When my feet hit the ground I was already undressed and I tugged on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt as I stumbled towards my dresser. I went to the bottom drawer and reached all the way to the back and felt for the broken board. I always stashed all my money back there and I produced a handful, counting out $100. This much could last me around three days, but it also usually cleared out the money I had "saved" from my parents' charity. My parents may have been rich, but they would know something was up if I took their money and they had no proof of things I bought with it.

I stuffed the money into my pocket and grabbed my keys off my desk as I headed out my door. When I reached the kitchen I grabbed an apple off the counter and strode out to my car. I hadn't bothered cleaning the eggs off; it was forecasted to rain the next day.

I jumped in my car and turned into the street and towards the shadiest part of town. It seemed like a bad place to buy, but I trusted my dealer. He had never jipped me before and I didn't foresee him doing it anytime soon.

When I got close to the bar I parked a few streets down, in case anyone were to drive by and see my car and come look for me.

I stepped out of my car and locked the doors, glancing around in the dim lamp-light. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walked quickly and with my head down. The rush that came with the fear of buying and getting caught was almost as good as the rush from the injection itself and I relished in it as I climbed the stairs to the apartments above the bar.

I rapped on the door three times, paused, then twice more, though Devin had to have known I was coming. He was usually quite good at remembering when I would run out. I provided him with steady business.

The door opened slowly and Devin's girlfriend's face appeared in the crack.

"Ya?"

I narrowed my eyes at her, she had always recognized me and let me in before. "I'm here to see Devin," I replied, and she opened the door wider, stepping aside to let me in. She flicked her long, blonde hair over her shoulder and stared at me.

"Amelia?" I heard from the other room, and I gave his girlfriend one last look before scurrying towards the sound of his voice.

Devin was seated at the kitchen table, carefully weighing each bag. Just the sight made my heart lurch.

"Out already?" He asked, not turning to look at me.

"Uh, yeah?" He was usually really good about knowing when I would be out.

"You're a day early," He said, finally turning to glance at me, a bundle of bags in his outstretched hand.

I quickly snatched them and replaced them with my wad of cash.

"No I'm not," I said, making Devin chuckle.

"Sweet girl. The longer you use, the more it will take to reach your high. You've been using more than you expected, eh?"