Walking Straight

Chapter 16

Hi everyone, I think wattpad was like mad at me or something for the past two last nights, because I tried publishing the new chapter but it wouldn't work! Idk but here's a new update: 

(btw I'm going to pick one song for every chapter from now on that fits the mood the best, i listen to multiple songs, but Im tired of putting all of them up haha) btw pic of jacob in the media!

TAYLOR'S POV: Today I have group therapy. It's the last one I will have with a few of the other patients. Most of them have less severe cases than Jacob and I, so they didn't need to be treated as long. It was harder than i thought it would. Saying goodbye. Without realizing it I formed a bond with the others and letting them go was harder deciding my own fate. We were allowed break the "hands to yourself" rule and give one another hugs, but I didn't. It would be more difficult to say goodbye if I gave up an ever-so-rare hug of mine. So I sit awkwardly in my hard plastic chair next to Jacob as we watch everyone else exchange hugs and friendly pats.  

Out with the old, and in with the new. Our therapist says the next set of patients will be from TCFEC, moving from other facilities, trying to find one that fits. She says not to be afraid, but keep in mind their cases, for they are more 'fragile" than the rest of us. Jacob stays silent the entire time. I notice the veins in his neck bulging, his knuckles white. I wonder if he's different from the other patients in TCFEC, i wonder if they are more dangerous, more sensitive than he is. 

RHETT'S POV: We arrive at the Oakland Marriott hotel and put our bags in our room. It is 3 o'clock, Jade is picking out an outfit to get back with her ex, while also yelling from the bathroom, teaching me how to smoke "just in case". Meaning, you will have to turn your lungs black sometime on this trip. I try remembering everything she tells me. 

"Hold it in for at least 10 mississippis before blowing it back out or you'll look like a wuss."

"Don't cough or you won't be able to stop."

"Learn your slang, play the part."

"Never speak unless spoken to during a deal."

"Don't ask what's in it." 

"Never question what you get"

I have a feeling we might be talking about more than weed when she tells me all of this. I am afraid to ask, mostly because I think I know the answer. When jade comes out of the bathroom, she looks different. Her hair is out of the braid she had it in, her eyeliner is thicker, and she has decided on an outfit. Black leggings and a grey short sleeved crop top. 

"You ready?" she slips a black purse over her shoulder and leads me out of the room, telling me to sag my pants, put on these glasses, talk like this, etc. 

We arrive at an apartment next to a drug store and tattoo parlor, and Jade has us go around the back through a littered alley to enter the building. She says the landlord doesn't like too many kids coming over, and he most likely already has company. 

"It's the cheapest place though, and no one really bothers you unless you gotta pay something but that's about it." We climb stairs after finding that the elevator is out of service and reach the top floor, the 3rd floor. His room is 3F, the 3rd door on the left. Jade looks me up and down before knocking and adjusts my hair so it sticks up "just right". She nods and knocks once, twice. We wait a few seconds and hear a couple faded shouts and uneven footsteps. The door swings open to a guy who looks to be about 20, with short blonde hair, blue eyes and thin lips. He looks faded, but his muscular arms and shoulders tell me he could still win a fight. I step back a couple feet and and Jade shoots me a look. She takes a deep breath and begins to speak. 

"I've missed you Derek. A lot. Can I come in?" she gives him a sweet smile and pouts. Derek smirks and  tilts his head in my direction. 

"You brought a friend?" he slurs. 

"My brother, actually. This is um, Ryan. He's visiting for a few days until Mom finds out he's gone. Came here to chill out, that okay with you? It would really mean a lot to me if you could let him in, too." 

"Yeah, we can take care of him, c'mon." He opens the door wide enough for the both us to step through and slams it shut. 

"Thanks man." I nod and give him a cool smile. He nods back and walks back to a couch where a few girls and guys sit, drinking and smoking. The air is thick with the smell of pot and liquor, and I can already feel it starting to give me a headache. The guys on teh couch look to stoned to even function while the girls lean on their slumping shoulders, slowly letting out puffs of who knows what. 

Derek sidles over to the kitchen counter. A stupid grin is slapped on his face as he looks me up and down. I follow, staying a little ways behind me. He picks up a green glass pipe and lights it, putting it to his lips. He takes a drag and holds it in, finally letting it out in a stream of O's. The whites of his eyes are a shade of deep pink, the veins standing out to be a deep crimson. He looks as if he will pass out any second now, his eyelids only half open. Is this what these people call fun? Getting shitfaced and doing nothing with their lives? I take the pipe Derek hands to me and remember what Jade had told me. On instinct, my fingers shift the lighter to life and hold it to the end of the pipe. I suck in, letting the smoke perforate my throat. It tastes like thick herbs and rubber, telling me it isn't just pot in this mix. I take the pipe away from my lips and close my eyes, still not letting go of the overpowering cloud of chemicals in my lungs. Finally, I exhale, watching a train of grey/white crawl out from my lungs, through my throat, and escaping from  my lips. Derek watches me for an extra second and ambles off to find Jade. 

I lift a hand to my neck, touching the skin gently. The faint burn of the smoke lingers, and i remove my hand. Standing around feeling the after-effects of one smoke wouldn't help me, so I go to the next room, a bedroom, to find Jade and ask her what exactly she plans on doing while she's here. Before entering the room, I put an ear to the door and listen. I hear faint mumbles, so I knock.  Footsteps. The door swings open, and I see her. 

thanks for being patient guys! i wont be able to update until sunday/monday i will be in colorado so pelase dont get frustrated! love you all, thank you for reading! make sure to vote comment, follow, and share, it only takes a SECOND! Xx,Carla