Waiting for the Sunrise

chapter sixteen

Rebecca:

A week of lacrosse practices and being happy proved to be a lot of work. My depression exhaustion seemed like nothing compared to the tired I felt when I woke up from a post-practice nap on Friday. It was 6:30pm. I had stayed up late last night studying for a calc test and now I was drained. I had been back for 2 weeks now, and things were going well.

The week had stayed positive, I was truly feeling better and trying to maintain it. I had been trying to talk to my old friends more, and I had even warmed up to Mckenzie and her friends, who had eaten lunch with me a couple of times.

Will, however, was a challenge. He wore a strong mold when we were at school, tough, happy, carefree. As soon as we got in the car after practice though, he was back to taking care of me. He just wanted me to be happy, and our less frequent talks had given him more opportunities to worry about me. I was alright though, and more than anything I wanted to prove that to him.

I went downstairs, Chase was reading a book on the couch and I sat down next to him.

"Hey Chase." He smiled up at me.

"Hi Becca. Do you want me to read my book to you?" He asked.

"I would love that." He sat up excitedly and began reading the Dr. Seuss book out loud. I could smell Mrs. Mercer cooking dinner. Things felt okay.

Will walked through the house a few minutes later with Luke. I wondered where they had been.

"Hey Beck." Luke said, Will nodded in my direction as they walked up the stairs. There was a party tonight, of course and I'm sure they were planning whatever activities they were going to do beforehand.

Luke, Kasey, and the other girls on the lacrosse team had tried to convince me to go, but I was still on the fence. I was scared to dip my toes back in things I didn't know if I could still handle. I knew I didn't have to drink, but even the environment.

I had zoned out and missed most of Chase's book, but he didn't seem to notice as he kept talking even after the book was finished. It lifted my spirits a little and soon his mom called him for dinner. I declined the invite to eat with them and went up the stairs to my room. Will's door was open as I walked by and he called my name. I turned and entered his room. Luke was sitting in his desk chair and Will was standing next to his bed.

"Two things. First, you're coming out tonight." I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"I'm not." He tried to sway me with his eyes.

"Please, Beck. I'll even let you drink." He said I assumed half sarcastically. Luke laughed from the chair.

"Ooh you'll let me?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm not going, but whats the other thing?" Luke interrupted before Will could speak.

"Becca please. Kase really wants you to come too." I looked at him and back at Will. Will had a devilish smirk on his face.

"We'll see." I said and they cheered. They were ridiculous. "What's the second thing?"

"Right, who's that guy you used to buy molly from?" Will asked and I raised an eyebrow. "It's not for me, or for you. It's for Jack." I let out a breath of air.

"His names Kyle I can send you his number. My phones in my room." He smiled.

"Thanks." I turned on my heel and headed towards my room, I felt excited with the possibility I was going to go out.

I had managed to be convinced, of course. Only on the condition that I could be myself without anyone getting mad at me. I had told Will this was my "night off" from improving and I was only going to be my old self tonight. The one that was Kasey's favorite. She had convinced me.