"Lana?"
I heard what was probably soft knock at the door, but to me sounded like a hammer hitting a piece of metal. I groaned, hiding myself under my blanket and snuggling closer into the corner of the couch, clutching the beer bottle tightly to my chest.
"Lana, please open the door." A voice pleaded, and more knocks sounded again.
I didn't move to answer the door, not even trying to figure out who was there. Instead, raised the bottle to my lips and tipped it back, only to notice I had emptied it. Groaning, I got up and walked towards the kitchen, tossing the bottle into a garbage bag, hearing it clink against other bottles. I opened the fridge, searching for another bottle. I wrapped my hand around the glass neck of one, frowning as I noticed it was the last one. I'd have to visit Annabeth to get another case later.
I twisted off the cap, tossing it into the garbage and walking right by the front door and into the hallway that led to my room, ignoring the pleads to open my door. I passed my room of art supplies, not even bothering to glance at it. I hadn't been in there since I got back from Santa Cruz. Two weeks ago.
I hadn't been able to do any art since then. I had no drive for it. All I felt was numbness. And in that numbness, I started to drink.
I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom that was connected to my bedroom. My hair was a long tangle of waves, just reaching my waist. The vibrant blue had begun to fade. I had lost some weight and there were dark circles under my eyes and I had given up on covering them up with make-up. I stopped wearing make-up and accessories, all except for the moon necklace. I reached up to touch it, the silver cool against my fingertips. I could see my nails were bitten to the quick.
I turned away, walking towards the bed and taking another swig from the bottle. I picked up my phone, unlocking it and going to my messages. I ignored all the ones from Kayla who was staying with Reese for a while since she got her boss to let her work from home so she didn't have to be back soon unless something urgent popped up. I scrolled by messages from Luke, Calum, Ashton, and Michael. I deleted the ones from a number without a contact name, knowing they were Dylan's.
I scrolled until I found Annabeth's name. I hadn't had to ask her for beer in months because I had some left over from when she'd visit after school. I didn't drink much so I still had it all. But I've gone through it all in the past two weeks.
Quickly, I typed in a message:
Hey can you get me a new case?
It wasn't long before Annabeth responded and told me to meet her down the block in fifteen minutes. I put on a pair of sunglasses with a floral pattern to liven things up. I didn't want Annabeth to see how different I looked, but I didn't want her to worry about me. It was good that I wasn't too drunk since it was barely noon, and I only finished a bottle I opened last night and started this one. Or maybe I was just getting used to it.
I changed into shorts and a tank that had and Imagine Dragons logo on it. I slipped on a pair of sandals, putting my hair into a side braid and walking to the bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth and popped a stick of gum in my mouth, hiding the smell of alcohol on my breath.
I grabbed my earbuds and made my way towards the door, playing The Killers on shuffle. I pulled open the door, noticing how heavy my eyelids felt when I ran straight into someone standing right outside.
"Hey! You don't stand in front of doorways, buddy." I snapped, not even bothering to look up at who I ran into. I wasn't sure if the person responded or not because the music was cranked up so loud.
Before I could turn down the stairs, I was yanked from behind and pushed gently against the wall.
"What the hell?" I repeated as my ear buds were yanked from my ears. I looked up, annoyed with whoever was bothering me. "Oh. Michael."
