Of Vice and Men

Chapter 15 Part One

It's not done  nor am I especially happy with it but I feel like I should post something.  I'm having trouble bringing to this story to a close so if you have any ideas/advice let me know!!

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Chapter 15

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

-Bruce Barton

It wasn’t long before Brisa started to get restless and acting like her old self again.  The beginning of senior year was fast approaching and all she could talk about was college applications and student council plans.  Ryan, on the other hand, was more concerned about senior privileges and possible vacation spots for spring break.  Personally, I was more than happy to just go with the flow.  I felt like I wasn’t really living my life but rather sort of floating above it.  Nothing was good or bad.  It just was.  

In some ways, it was like the summer had never happened.  Same friends, same life, same luck in love.  However, there was something that was different.  Or rather, someone.  

“Sheryl, you have to tell your sister she is grounded and one hundred percent not going to any parties under any circumstances tonight!”

I looked up from the book I was reading and raised my eyebrows.  My mother, who was standing in my bedroom doorway, looked disheveled and out of place.  I had never seen her that way before.  

“Why don’t you just tell her yourself?”  I asked.

Mom sighed.  “I’ve tired.  I’m afraid she won’t listen to me.”

    I was feeling smug but didn’t say anything.  To her credit, she was trying.  “I’ll talk to her.”

    I found Missy curled up in bed, listening to Taylor Swift.  She didn’t look like she was planning on going to any party anytime soon.  “What’s up, Moo?”

    “Patrick dumped me,” she said after a minute.  When she turned to look at me, her face was tear stained and blotchy.  “Out of no where.  Like he just didn’t want me around anymore.”

    “Oh, sweetie,” I pulled her to me and held her tight.  “Boys are dumb.” ,

    “But I changed who I am for him!” she sobbed.  “I did things I never would have done without him and now where does that leave me?”

    I sucked in a bit of air and blew out slowly.  “I know it feels like the end of the world now but the thing to remember is to not let it define you.  And all those things that you did when you were with him, that was you!  He didn’t make you do those things.  You can be ballsy and spontaneous all on your own.  That doesn’t make it any less you.”

    Missy looked up at me, her eyes red and her face tear streaked.  “Confrontation is exhausting though.”

    I laughed.  “Yeah, it’s a hard job.”  I smiled and wiped a tear off her cheek.  “Maybe you can figure out a balance though.  Something in between the new you and the old you.”

    “But still me,” she said, brightening up a little.

    “Yeah,” I said.  “Still you.”