Xanax

First Dose

"you're tired."

"And?"

"When you're tired you get sloppy."

"And?"

"You've gotten very sloppy." James turned in place, shielding his head from the sunlight peeking between the blinders. "It's two pm James."

"Time is an illusion." he chided. Sheila stomped over to the cocoon of blankets in the center of the room. "Okay- Time is an illusion. Is your bed also an illusion?"

"No."

"Then why are you on the floor? and why can't i see the floor?"

"It's comfy here, now if you excuse me- I'm busy." sheila sighed, flipping her hair and leaving the room, shutting the door behind her. James maneuvered in the shield of fabric encasing him, freeing his arms and legs.

Reaching for his phone and tapping it, it turned on. His eyes formed slits as he squinted at the blinding screen.

"Wow. It actually is two pm- Who would have thought?" He pushed himself off the floor, "I wonder if anyone else is home."

He walked down the hall, looking aimlessly at the familiar frames decorating the walls.

"Oh my gosh, he's actually out of his room. Has the world ended?" Marcus, his twin brother chirped, eyes following James's fleeting pajama clad body from the inside of his room.

"Don't get my hopes up" James joked, blowing a raspberry in his direction.

He made his way down the stairs, and to the living room, where sheila was settled on the couch, watching some Korean show she was obsessed with.

"Don't do it Jungdo! No!" She sobbed, clutching the remote to her chest. "What happened?" He questioned, walking past the couch shaking his head at her actions. "Did your favorite character do something stupid again?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. James. Incredibly stupid." The wrinkles on her forehead formed waves as she rubbed her temples. "I just- why James? Why? He could do so much better!"

"Would it make you feel better to know that he's a fictional character?"

"No. I'm too emotionally invested in this show for that to change anything. I'm too far gone."

"Woah okay. Call me if you need any emotional support I guess." He pat her on the head, ruffling her hair and smoothing the waves on her forehead.

"Stop stressing, Your wrinkles are way too apparent for a seventeen year old," he said squishing her cheeks, "You look like mom when she pays the bills."

"Whatever." she replied, slouching into the sofa, the TV now on a commercial break in a language only she could understand. James strolled into the kitchen, hands in pockets, one foot ahead of the other.

He opened the fridge only to be met with condiments, leftover white rice, and alcohol. He checked the freezer and the only thing edible inside were the ice cubes. "What happened to the food Sheila? Didn't mom go shopping last week?"

"Ask Marcus!" she yelled, munching on potato chips.

"Marcus! Where's the food?!"

"I ate it!" he yelled, head poking down the stairwell. "Well- What am i supposed to eat?" James asked, looking through the pantry.

"How about you go outside and get something. Y'know, like a normal person." Marcus postulated, walking down the stairs and plopping down next to Sheila. He stole the chip in her hand and shoved it in his mouth. "Ew. Nevermind. I'm going back to my room, call me if mom comes home."