Hooked The Making of an Addict

Chapter Thirteen: The Stories That They Tell

I sat down beside CeCe and put my arm around her. She put her head on my shoulder and continued to cry. We sat like that, quiet and still, until the sun began to rise. I didn't want to ask and she didn't want to tell. We fell into a perfect silence of understanding. Something both of us needed in that moment.

Once the sun was halfway above the ground we decided it was time to go in. No use in making Ann and Michael any angrier than they already were. 

"Thank you." CeCe said softly with a broken tone. 

She reminded me of my mom when she had given up on living. Fear crept up my spine. Had she given up? What happened that was so bad? 

I had so many  questions that I was too afraid to ask. I wasn't sure if I was ready for the answer. It had only been a few weeks of knowing her but she became such a big part of my life. I didn't want to lose her. 

She looked at me with her eyes still red from the tears and mascara now dried on her face. I knew I shouldn't have but I couldn't stop myself. I had to kiss her. 

I put y hand gently on her cheek looking for permission in her eyes. I slowly leaned down and softly kissed her lips. I could taste the saltiness from her tears but I didn't care when she kissed me back. I didn't want to take it any further. I wanted to leave it at a soft, gentle kiss to show her I really did care. 

No matter how badly I didn't want to. 

I pulled away and took her hand. 

"I'm sorry for being weird all week." I said. 

"Don't be. We all retreat back into our shells sometimes."

I hugged her as tightly as I could without smothering her. I didn't want to let go this time. I wanted to be here for her and I needed her here for me. 

She only l let me hold her for a moment before pulling away. 

"I need to get washed up before Ann and Michael wake up." 

She gave me a peck on the cheek and went inside. I was left standing in the cool morning air. The pills had worn off and I felt more tired than I did when I took them. I knew today was going to drag on but at least I had CeCe back by my side. I hoped at least. 

The ride to school was different today. CeCe sat in the back with me leaving Oli in the front. He was holding the steering wheel tight like he was angry about something. I had an intense fear that he found out I had been taking some of his pills but the look on his face said something different. 

I began to feel like I had missed something. Why was he so angry and CeCe so sad? She still looked like something terrible had happened. But I couldn't put my finger on what exactly. 

I expected the rest of the day to go on like this but once we all walked through the doors of the school everyone's mood changed. We we're all happy. We all told stories with our smiles. No one knew what went on when we weren't around them. We just seemed like happy normal teenagers. 

That's everybody though. We all have secrets and scars. We all have demons behind closed doors. But we all put on smiles and tell lies about our lives to make us seem normal. But is anyone really normal anymore? Is anyone real anymore?

I spent the rest of the school day watching people. Trying to figure out their secrets. What were they hiding? 

I sat once again not finishing my work in Mr. Turner's class. I should just admit defeat and accept the fact that I would fail this semester. Probably fail the year. I couldn't stay focused anymore. I didn't want to stay focused. 

"I'm going to need you to stay after school today. Will your parents be okay with that?" Mr. Turner asked. 

I didn't even realize the bell had rang. I had just been sitting here in my own world of questions. 

All I could do is nod my head and leave. I knew he had more questions. I knew he was going to ask them. But I needed time to get my answers straight. I needed time to write the story that I would tell. 

I couldn't tell him what was really going on. He wouldn't understand that. Nobody would. 

I went to the car to let CeCe and Oli know I would have to stay here for a while. CeCe's face had changed for just a second to show fear. Like she didn't want to be alone with Oli. More questions raged in my head. 

"I'll stay here too." CeCe said, begging with her eyes trying to get me to agree. "It's a long walk home it will go by faster if you have someone to talk to."

I wanted to agree with her. I wanted her to stay. But something was stopping me. 

"I don't know how long it will take you'll just get bored."

"I can do my homework in the library. I'll be fine." 

"I don't want you to get in trouble for staying."

"I'll just tell Ann that I had a project to do and I needed the computer."

She wasn't going to give up. I would have to face the fact that she was going to stay one way or another. 

"Okay." I gave in. 

Oli got in the car clearly upset and drove off quickly. CeCe hung her head and I just couldn't take it anymore. 

"What happened?"

She looked up at me. She knew this question had been coming. I could see the story in her eyes. She had been practicing. 

"He's just a little jealous. Nothing serious." She said and began walking into the school. 

She turned the corner and was out of my sight. Leaving me with more questions. She had so many secrets that she was determined to keep.

I finally got the nerve to return to Mr. Turner's class. 

"Sit down Aaron."

My heart was beating at lightening speed. I didn't want to answer his questions. 

"We've already had the discussion about you needing to get focused. I won't keep repeating myself."

"I'm sorry."

"Being sorry would mean getting the work done. I've seen your transcripts. You had perfect grades. What's changed?"

"Nothing. I just needed to get used to being in a new school. I'll make sure to get my work done."

I could tell he didn't want to accept the answer but he also didn't want to pry too much. 

"Starting Monday I want every assignment finished by the end of class. And I want all of your missed assignments finished over the weekend. You think you can handle that?"

"So I won't fail this class?"

"That's up to you. All I can do is give you a chance."

That's all I needed. I can fix this. I can fix everything.