The Girl In The Suit

Gabrielle

When I get home after school, I find that Pat isn't here. Our mam is probably out shopping and God only knows where Pat is. I don't have Tasha here and I'm not downtown because I'm feeling shit.

I put on the kettle and head upstairs for my hot water bottle. When I pass Pat's room, there's a strong smell of weed. I'm really happy I'm now off it.

I then remember that Gemma's brother went in to rehab today. Pat was forced into it a few years ago but he relapsed when he came out and they refuse to take him back. My mother is heartbroken with him.

I take my phone out of my pocket and I go into Snapchat. I tap on Gemma's name.

Hi, how are you all? Did he go in OK?

She opens the message, but I get no reply, even after 30 minutes.

What?

Did I do something?

When I'm in bed and watching Netflix with the hot water bottle on my stomach, I decide to call her. 

She doesn't answer.

I don't get it.

I decide to try Anne. I tap her name and text her.

Hey. I tried texting and calling Gemma but she didn't answer and she left me on read. Is everything OK? Did I do something wrong? I just want to know how her brother is. Did he go in OK?

A few seconds later, she replies.

Ask Pat. He's the reason he's in there.

Wait......what?

Meet us in the SuperValu carpark in 15 minutes.

OK.

I suddenly don't care about my fever. I jump out of the bed, throw back on my clothes and head down to SuperValu.

A few minutes later, I see them in the carpark of SuperValu talking. They stop when they see me approaching.

"Guys, what's up?", I say. I'm getting worried now.

"Look."

Gemma hands me a phone with the messaging app open. They're texts between Gemma's brother Freddie and Pat. Texts about weed, tablets, coke. I can't believe my eyes.

Pat's the one who got him all the drugs and into it.

"Girls, I-I-I didn't know anything about this. I'm so sorry."

Gemma scoffs and takes back the phone. "Whatever. Just the next time you wanna get stoned, don't invite us."

"I'm off it! And I already told you, I had nothing to do with this! If I knew, I would've tried to stop him. I didn't even know he sold drugs. I thought he bought it himself."

"He does, and then he sells it! To vulnerable, impressionable people like my brother! He can't say no, and he gets sucked in easily! I wouldn't have spent time with you if I knew your brother gave my brother the stuff that almost killed him."

"Its not my fault! I'm talking to him about it when he comes home. Besides, its his own fault he got addicted."

Fuck. I regret that. I don't know where that came from.

Gemma brings her hand up and slaps me in the face hard. 

"Stay away from us."

I look at them speechlessly as they walk away from me.

As I walk home, I can't stop the tears falling.