Table for Five

Back with Family

My eyes fluttered open to see Pete snoring but still holding my hand. I grinned and relaxed again. Pete shifted and went back to sleeping. Just then the door creaked open and I saw three boys, with scared eyes. Patrick was tense and was clearly sweating.
I smiled at him, but he turned away. "Were you like this before him?"
I shrugged, he spoke again, "He did this too you!" He threw his fists in the air. "You do this because you love him! He is a bad influence on you!"
"Patrick.." I managed to croak out. He knelt at my bed, " This isn't him. It's me. I don't know how to handle this. Don't blame him, or yourself. Or anyone! Except me."
His head fell to the edge of the bed. He gave the sleeping boy a death glare and stepped back. Pete squirmed a little and his eyes fluttered open.
He smiled at me and the rest of the boys. Patrick rolled his eyes and slumped in the corner, I could hear him mumble, "You aren't yourself.."
All of a sudden the door flew open. My jaw dropped to the floor.
"Brooklyn Serena Rinker!" My mother swung open the door, her fists clenched at her side.
The boys look at her confused, "Mom!" I said, tears welling up in my eyes.
Her she softened her fists and began to tear up as well.
"Oh baby.." she said pulling me into a hug. "What's happened to you?" She asked, clearly caring about her daughter.
Her green eyes were soft, her skin was just as I remembered.
"I-I.. had a rough night." I sighed, I had always had trouble telling my parents about my depression.
Patrick stepped up, "Mrs. Rinker? I'm friends with your daughter. I'll explain." And he did explain. His eyes were fiery with rage as he spoke. My mom began to cry, at first it was slow, then she lost it.
When she looked up again she saw that Pete was holding my hand still. She looked at him disapprovingly.
Patrick's rage got they best of him, "And he did this to her! He made her like this!"
Pete's eyes filled with sorrow as these words hit him.
"P-Pat.. I..." he croaked out. He was trembling.
"He did this?" My mother asked.
"He did! She loves him! And he said he didn't! He's done this before, she was just following his example." My mother stared at Pete.
Pete slowly let go of my hand and stood up.
"I-I'm sorry then.." he said, clearly heartbroken.
He left with that, and my heart went with him.

After that my mom took me back to New York. I had no communication with the boys. She enrolled me into a new school.
I was heartbroken, I couldn't believe this had happened.
I didn't leave my room for the rest of the summer. All I could think of was Pete, and how much I missed him. I missed the way he held me, the way he smelt, his laugh, him...
My mom was worried about me, my dad was too. I could barely eat. I was miserable, and I would do anything for happiness.
When you are that desperate, you'll take anything.
On the first day in this new school I plastered on a fake smile. I met this blonde girl, she was beautiful, and not to mention popular.
We became friends, but she was manipulative, but I didn't care.
Her name was Brittney, and she was my world.
I'd do anything if she did it, all the boys drooled over her. We went to crazy parties, did crazy drugs, drank, and got into trouble...
One night she told me to sneak out of the house, so I did.
We snuck into a closed park with boys, alcohol, and drugs.
It was crazy, she was making out with every guy she could find, and I was snorting all sorts of things.
She threw one of the geekier guys at me, "This one isn't good enough for me, you want him?"
I was to high to care about what she said. I gave him a cigarette.
Suddenly I heard sirens from the street. I was to high to care, I just laughed it off and took another illegal pill. Before I knew it I was being thrown into the back of a police car.
"Miss?" Was the last thing I heard before I nodded off.