Hooked The Making of an Addict

Chapter Nine: Calm

The rest of the weekend went by uneventfully. I welcomed the calming change. 

Until Monday. 

First day at a new school. I had never been the new kid before. I had never had everyone stare me down in the hallways. I was used to being invisible. 

"Don't worry they are all just curious where you're going to land." Oli whispered. 

I must have looked nervous. 

"Land?"

"Yeah like what social group you're going to be in."

"I'm usually by myself."

"Yeah good luck. CeCe doesn't do the whole tortured soul loner thing."

"What does CeCe have to do with it?"

 "She will make sure you never feel alone."

"Joy."

"I have to get to class. Can you figure your way around the school is pretty small."

"Yeah."

Oli walked down the long hallway saying hello to his friends as he passed. I stood at my locker praying he was wrong. I just wanted to get through the last two years of school and be done with the social awkwardness. 

"Aaron right?" 

I turned to look at the voice that spoke to me. She was was slender with wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes covered with huge glasses. Somehow she pulled the look off because she was quite beautiful. 

"Okay well I'm Alex. I'm your tour guide today."

"I think I can get around."

"Don't be silly I don't mind helping out. The school is small but it can get confusing. There is suppose to be different hallways for each subject but all of the extra classes are just thrown here there and everywhere."

"I have a map."

"He's pretty smart I think he can handle it. Thank you for your services though." CeCe said as she came up behind Alex.

"Hello Cecelia." She said turning to CeCe

"Bye." CeCe said with the valley girl attitude. 

Alex rolled her eyes and turned back to me.

"Let me know if you need any help." She said walking away.

"And here I thought you would be the only pushy person I would have to deal with." I said with a smile grateful for the rescue. 

"I will be." She said smiling back. "What's your first class?"

"Biology."

"Oh how lucky I'm in that class too."

"How do you know we don't have separate teachers?"

"Have you seen this place? They can't afford two biology teachers."

We spent pretty much the rest of the day in the same classes. I was beginning to wonder if the school did this on purpose until I realized most of the kids in my other classes all kind of suffled around together. 

After lunch it was time for electives. My one class without CeCe and I was happy to have a moment to myself. I could finally feel just slightly normal sitting in the back of the classroom completely by myself. 

I didn't pay attention to a single word the teacher had said. I didn't need this class to graduate so I really didn't care if I passed or failed. I just used this moment to breathe. 

The bell finally rang and I jumped up ready to get out there as quickly as possible. 

"Aaron." The teacher called after me before I could get out the door. 

Everyone looked at me. I hated the feeling of people staring. 

I stopped and waited for everyone to leave. I knew I was going to get the usual "You really need to pay attention. School is important lecture."

"I noticed you were having a little trouble paying attention."He said as the last student walked out. 

"I've taken this class."

"Then perhaps you can handle an independent study. Same class harder work."

"Independent as I get left alone?"

"If you can handle it. You can sit in my office during class but it will require more effort than sitting in the back and staring off into space." 

"Works for me."

"Good. You start tomorrow. I've never had a failing student and I won't start now."

I nodded and left. I was trying not to look too excited but I was beyond happy. I could have guaranteed time to myself everyday. 

The rest of the day went on like any other school day. Oli drove us back to the house and we all started on homework in the kitchen. I guess this is how everyday was going to be. Very routine. Steady. Stable. I didn't want to be around anyone at this moment but I was happy to know that everything would finally just stand still. 

I started to let my guard down and enjoy the moment. I didn't have to worry about taking care of my mom. I didn't have to worry about when my dad would show up. I only had to get my homework and chores done then I was free. 

I started to hope more and more that it would stay this way. But I knew it wouldn't. Nothing ever stays this perfect for long. There was a storm coming. The storms always came. 

"You guys want to go to the park before dinner?" Oli asked looking at his phone.

"Whose going to be there?" CeCe questioned back. 

"Jake and some of his friends." Oli replied. 

"I'm in. What about you Aaron?"

"No thanks I have some catching up to do. My old school wasn't quite this fair along in most of my subjects."

"Oh come on you can catch up anytime." CeCe said with begging eyes. 

I wanted to stand my ground. I knew this meant I could have the house to myself for a couple hours but I couldn't resist her powers. 

"Okay but I really need to catch up when we get back."

"Don't worry you'll have plenty of time." She smiled. 

We all packed up our books and took our backpacks to our rooms before leaving a note on the counter letting Ann and Michael know we would be at the park. 

As we we're walking out the door I felt like I should back out. I knew they weren't just going to hang out. They we're going to get high. I knew I needed to get out of the situation but I wanted to get high too. I wanted that feeling of not feeling. 

This is the last time I told myself. 

The very last time.