How to be popular

Apologies?

My eyelids slowly opened, but I had to close them, the light was very bright. Once my eyes adjusted, I scanned my surroundings. White walls and ceiling, a blue chair beside of me to my right. I heard the sound of beeping machines.

You're in a hospital.

I heard whispering and shuffling movement noises. I rolled my head over to my left, my dad, Mia and......Jessie!?!? They were all right with me, watching me like a hawk.

I sat up, confused but happy to see everyone again, especially Jessie!. My head was throbbing, so was my arm, so I looked down at my left arm. An IV was placed near my wrist. My eyes slowly followed the plastic tube up to a sac of clear liquid and blood. It was to hard to try to remember what happened, it was like my memory of events occurring within the past week had been taken away.

There was so many questions that needed to be asked. What happened? Where is Doug? How long have I been here? Why am I being given blood and fluids?

Jessie leaned over the bed and gave me the tightest hug I had been given in a long time.

"You're actually here!" I whispered as we let go of our hug. I was thrilled to see her after a few years of only communicating through texting and phone calls. "How did you know I was here?" I thought out loud.

"Your dad told my mom what happened, so I used all of my birthday money to buy a plane ticket to come see you."

I frowned. It was very sweet of her, but it also made me a little upset. "Oh, Jessie, you were saving up for a new phone, you didn't have to do that," I told her.

She shook her head and squeezed my hand. "My best friend is more important than a stupid phone."

Jessie had changed, but only because of the book. She had a perfect hourglass figure, long blonde hair, a slight tan and thick black eyeliner going perfectly with her light brown eyes. Only that day she didn't wear anything special, just a pink sweatshirt and jeans.

I smiled, she was still a good friend. "I have missed you so much, Jessie." Jessie said the same back to me.

Mia was next to hug me. It was quick and not as tight as Jessie. "How are you feeling?"

I shifted to another position in my bed. "My head hurts and I have no idea what's going on, but I guess I'm okay." They had to have known why I was in this bed and not at home.

My dad spoke up. "You almost overdosed, Alex."

Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "I thought you just fell! Alex, you were on drugs?" She asked, sounding shocked. I couldn't look at them anymore, so I turned my head away. They all knew now, my secret was out.

I almost overdosed. I had messed with most likely illegal drugs, so this was going to be bad. Again, I was busted. This was no joking matter. Trust me, I'm sure my dad felt the same way.

My dad started sniffling and his breaths got short. He was crying! He didn't cry that much. There was just so many emotions in the room. Hurt, shock, sadness, embarrassment. I had always been the good girl, so everyone was surprised to know I did drugs. I hurt a lot of people trying so desperately to get popular. My dad was so upset because he thought it was his fault I did drugs. I was embarrassed to be the center of all of it.

"Why Alex? Was it something I did that made you resort to something like this?"

I couldn't answer his question, not honestly. Anyway, there was so many more reasons why I did what I did. He was only a small part of it. I wanted to tell him that, but the situation was more complicated and difficult then it seemed.