Dead Inside

Chapter Seven Under skies so gray

In the ten minutes it takes us to get to the shops I discover that I like his taste in music. I only get to listen to three songs but they are by Asking Alexandria, Breaking Benjamin, and The Amity Affliction. Three of my favourite bands. I find myself tapping away to the songs as I mouth the words to myself. When I realise what I'm doing I glance sideways and see Mr Jones tapping his foot with the beat. I almost laugh when he starts quietly singing to himself during the chorus of Breath.

"You did good today Roxanne. I'll see you tomorrow." I lift my hand in a wave and head for home. I see both of my parent's cars in the drive way so I sneak around the back and in through my window. I have just put my feet on the floor when there's a knock at my door.

"Roxy can you come down to the dining room please. We need to discuss something as a family." Dad calls through the door and I hear his feet retreating. That was a close call. I drop my bag on my bed and slowly make my way to the dining room. When I walk in Mum, Dad and Madison are already seated at the table. I pull out a chair and sit down. I'm pretty sure they don't know about anything that's been going on. I twist my hands together trying to appear calm while I wait for my parents to tell me what I've screwed up this time.

"Is everything going okay at school girls?" Dad asks, his voice is tense. I nod my head, still staring at the table. I assume Madison does the same because Dad clears his throat before continuing. "We have received a letter from the school regarding a worrying increase in the number of students coming to school under the influence. Your mother and I thought we would have a quick talk to you girls about it and – "

"We want you to take a drug test." Mum interrupts. I quickly try to work out the last time I took drugs. It was definitely over a month ago. I breathe a sigh of relief. That won't show up. I can feel Mums eyes on the top of my head. I bet she thinks she's caught me out. She is determined that I'm an addict. Apparently, that's why I behave the way I do.

"You can't do that. It's against my rights. I'm not doing it." Madison jumps up from the table, knocking her chair over.

"Given that reaction you will most definitely be taking the test." Dad says in his scary calm voice. This is interesting. Madison has always been the golden child. In Mums eyes she can do no wrong. Bet she didn't consider this possibility when she decided to test us.

"Can I take the test now so I can go finish my homework?" Just to make sure she has to take it I jump in before Mum can let her off the hook. Dad slides the test over to me and after reading the instructions I take the little brush bit and wipe it around the inside of my mouth. I slide it into the tester and sit back to wait for the results. Madison is still complaining about having to take it, coming up with all sorts of excuses and Dad is having none of it. Eventually he threatens to do the test by force and she finally relents. We sit in awkward silence waiting for the timer on Dads phone to go off. It finally beeps.

"Roxanne all clear you are good to go." I push back from the table and walk out of the room. Instead of going straight to my room I wait outside the door to see what Madison's results are.

"Oh my god it's positive." Mum cries out. "Are you sure you didn't get the tests mixed up David?"

"Positive." Dad replies shortly. "So, Madison do you want to explain to me why this is positive for amphetamines and opiates?" There is only silence from Madison. Then she starts to cry and blubber about how she was at a party and her drink was spiked and she didn't want to tell them and all sorts of other rubbish. Mum is quick to believe her but it's clear that Dad doesn't.

"I will give you the benefit of the doubt this time Madison but know that I will be asking you to take another test at some stage."

"When?" Madison's tears have miraculously stopped.