Saving The Wayward Kids

Captain Colby

Ryan and I sit in the living room drinking a cup of apple juice to get his mind off of his withdrawals, he's had a few panic attacks yesterday so I've been talking to him when he feels one coming on and we sit together to drink juice or watch TV.

"Hey Ryan?" I ask in a hushed tone knowing the others are still sleeping

Ryan looks up from his shaking hands "I have a gift for you" I tell him, I pick up a brown leather book and hand it to him "I remember you telling me that writing has always been a passion of yours" I tell him

He picks up the book and examines it "Is this a journal?" He asks with curiosity

I nod my head with a small smile "I was thinking that maybe if you feel the need to express yourself and I'm not here you could write it down instead" I explain to him

He stands up from where he's been sitting then grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug, I smile and hug him back instantly "Thank you" He mumbles to me.

I pull away with a smile on my face "That's what friends are for right?" I ask

He looks taken aback by the question but smiles non the less "right" he answers

He says goodnight before leaving upstairs to his room for some sleep, I pick up the now two empty cups and walk into the kitchen to wash them.

I already know that I won't be sleeping tonight so I decide to sit on the porch swing for the night and stare at the stars, I feel the porch swing move causing me to turn and see Debbie with a tired smile.

"Hey Deb, what are you doing up?" I ask in curiosity

Debbie chuckles at my question "I should be asking you that" she say looking at me in concern "Kai it's 2:30 in the morning, you haven't been sleeping lately either what's wrong?" She asks in a gentle tone

I look down at the old wooden porch as if it's the most interesting thing I've seen "Nothing don't worry, I was helping Ryan...." I answer which isn't a full lie I was helping him

Debbie raises a brow at me "with what?" She asks once more

"Uuuuh...he had a nightmare" I answer, which was a very big lie

I haven't talked to Debbie about his problem I mean yes we've had teens who struggled with addictions buuuut none of them were addicted to drinking, drugs, and smoking so I think it's best to keep that little fact hidden.... besides its not my secret to tell it's his, when he's ready to tell it that is.

Debbie let's out a sigh before looking at me as if she knows im lying to her. She gives me a small smile before standing up and placing a kiss on my head "Just...don't stay up to late" she says before returning inside.

I walk inside and lay down on the couch before letting my eyes close as I drift off to sleep.
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~No ones POV~
Colby opened his eyes tiredly as he sat up and looked at the clock checking the time it was 5:27 in the morning, he stretched out his arms and back before getting off the bed and walked downstairs to see if Kyrah was cooking.

As soon as he was downstairs he saw a figure on the couch, it was still pretty dark so he couldn't make out who the figure was, he walked over curious to see who it was.

He saw Kyrah laying on the couch with tear stains on her cheeks with red puffy eyes, she's been crying!? Colby brushed some hair.out of her face and picked up a blanket from the chair that was folded neatly. He draped the blanket on her and made sure she was warm.

Colby would never admit it but he did care he wasn't heartless and he had thought of Kyrah as a friend it's been almost a month since they've been here.

Colby already knew about Ryan's addiction he found out three weeks ago when Ryan thought the withdrawals were to hard and he ended up using again, Ryan told Colby about but not the others yet.

Colby walked into the kitchen and began to cook some scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, and pancakes. He would glance over at Kyrah just to make sure she was okay before returning to cooking.

"I didn't know you could cook" he heard a voice say

He turned to see none other than Kyrah "Uh yeah I can cook simple foods but nothing to fancy....what are you doing up?" He asked

Kyrah giggled and walked over to the stove and flipped the pancakes and stirred the eggs so they wouldn't burn "I just woke up, you didn't have to cook you know..." She said while putting on a oven mitt and pulling out the bacon.

"Yeah but you look like you're upset so I just decided to do it" he answered with a shrug as he put the breakfast on a plate.

Kyrah looked up at him in confusion "Kyrah your eyes are red and puffy and you have bags under your eyes" he pointed out "You help us on the daily so its only fair for us to help you I'm just worried about your health" he ranted not even realising what he was saying

Kyrah smiled "awwwwe and here I thought that Colby couldn't care less about me" she said in a teasing tone while giggling

Colby rolled his eyes and let out a chuckle "Yeah yeah whatever you dork" He said while playfully pushing her

The two set the dining table together and cleaned up the kitchen so the breakfast could cool off before being consumed by the teens.

"Hey Colby if you don't mind me asking why were your sent here?" Kyrah asks

Colby looks at her "I- um I got into a lot of illegal fights and to avoid jail I was sent here" he said as if it was nothing

Kyrah could tell that it bothered him but she didn't press it, she walked out of the room for a few minutes before returning with a guitar case.

"Have you ever thought of using music to let out stress instead of fighting?" She asked with a hopeful smile

Colby looked at the case with a familiar glint in his eyes "where?" He began to ask

"Debbie told me how you kept looking at it when she took you and the others to town for groceries a few weeks ago" She said with a small smile.

Colby gently grabbed the case with a smile before shaking his head and clearing his throat "um...go wake up the others before breakfast gets cold" he said looking away as if he were trying to keep his bad boy exterior up.

Kyrah giggled and saluted him "aye aye captain Colby" she said before running upstairs laughing

'I knew Colby could care'