Don't Let Me Fall

7| The Comedown

I woke to a blistering headache.

I was slumped in my bed, something I had no memory of. I had no idea how I got home or when, all I remember was dancing. Just a lot of dancing. The morning sun burned my eyes as it seeped through the blinds into my room.

"Ugh," I moaned, pulling myself up and snapping them shut.

The room spun a little, making me nauseous. The searing pain in my head made me want to cry. I searched through my draw for some aspirin or something to just get rid of this pain. I grabbed at the battle, yanking it open and take two, and maybe half of one.

Swigging it with a glass of water by my bed (that tasted suspiciously fresh). I placed it back down, looking at it. Quickly, I shifted to my mirror, fixing my hair a little.

I looked like I was freshly dug from a grave. My eyes bloodshot and face whiter than white. I looked lifeless.

I snatched up my baggy jumper that hung on my desk chair and shoved it on as I headed out my room. Racing downstairs, I could feel my head pound with each step. I had heard about hangovers but wow... this was intense. It wasn't till I reached the bottom of the stairs, however, that I heard talking. A familiar voice.

Confused I headed toward the kitchen where the voice came through, the clatter of cutlery hitting plates.

"Ah, he awakes!" Mom looking up, cocking a brow.

A blonde girl turned to look at me, a smile on her face.

Mia.

"Hey," I said, looking at Mom, then Dad and then her.

"Morning, sleepy," Dad said, "Come, breakfast is ready."

I ignored him and looked at Mia in confusion. Out of anyone who could be here, why was she? I didn't really know her, I didn't... Oh god... we didn't?

"Mia here was just saying about how you and Zach met her last night at the mall," Mom said, "You crash at hers or something?"

Mia widened her eyes at me quickly.

Thank god, I thought. If anything had happened... I just didn't want to imagine, "Yeah, yeah she's uh, Zachs friend." I lied.

Mom nodded, briefly looking at Dad and then at me, "Right."

She didn't sound convinced and me looking like death probably didn't persuade her to believe anything me or Mia said. I looked down, "We went back to hers and just got lost-"

"- watching that really shit film, huh?" Mia nodded along.

"Mhm," I nodded, "Yeah."

"Anyways, I best go," Mia said, standing up, "Thank you so much Mr and Mrs...? Thank you, aha, I best get back though, my Mom will probably hit the roof if I'm not home by twelve!"

Mom nodded, "Okay, well thank you for bringing him home! And letting him stay, of course," She looked me up and down. She stood up, "Let me see you out?"

"No, no," I said, "I'll see her out."

We both hurried toward the front door. As we reached it, I pulled it open, heading onto the front porch. Mia covering her mouth, masking her laugh as she followed me, "Dude, that was close!"

"Close? I'm pretty sure my Mom cracked the code!" I said quietly.

"Oh yeah, because you're walking downstairs looking like the Corpse Bride!" Mia sniggered, "You're welcome by the way, you were a mess last night."

I nodded, "Yeah, thank you. I'm sorry-"

"Don't sweat it," She rolled her eyes, "You had fun, I had fun. Plus, I got to crash on the comfiest couch ever. Colour my spoilt!" I laughed a bit and felt my cheeks redden as I thought about the night before. How embarrassing I must've been and Rowan... oh god, Rowan.

I wanted to die.

"I wasn't too bad?" I asked.

"Hey, chill, we've all been there," She said, "But I really do have to shoot! And you really do owe me!"

I watched as she began to walk away, pulling out her keys from her bag. I looked over at the badly parked car in front of my house, "Thank you!" I called out to her, my head ringing as I did.

She just waved, not looking back as she got into her car.

I headed back in, cringing from the brightness of the sun that caught my eyes. Shutting the door behind me I looked up to see Mom, stood there looking suspicious. Her arms were crossed and lips tightened as she scanned me with her eyes. I was in trouble, I could tell.

"Movie night?" She asked.

-

MDMA destroys your serotonin. That was what I discovered as the day went by and I found myself crashed in bed in the deepest depression I had been in since... well, since then. My stomach growled but food was uneatable as it grew hard to swallow. I remember Zach telling me about a friend who did MDMA.

"It's fucking awesome, like all these good feelings hit you and you just feel fucking fantastic," He said, "The comedown is killer, though. My buddy was in bed for days."

I thought about that, would I ever be able to leave this bed?

A knock came from my door.

"Yeah?" I didn't bother to look up, instead staring at the ceiling. I swore it was moving, but that was yet to be determined as it was hard to focus.

"Will," I heard my Dads voice, "It's five o'clock."

"Oh," Had it really been that long?

"You gonna get up or join us?" He asked, "Mom's attempting my pasta recipe, might be fun to watch her burn down the kitchen and kill us all?"

I closed my eyes, taking a moment. I wanted to, but every fibre of my being begged me to stay there. I was beyond fragile, I was broken. "I'm good." I replied.

I could feel him hesitate. Once again, Dad was in the awkward position both he and I hated. And I had no doubt Mom was downstairs, waiting for him to relay some kind of message because she was too mad or worried to come up herself. He was on her duty. After a moment, he finally left.

I opened my eyes, tearing again. It had been five times now. Just crying over nothing at all but the simple fact my mind had its serotine snatched.

I sucked it up though, I knew I'd survive. But it felt like it was taking a long time.

My phone buzzed next to me.

I turned my gaze from the ceiling, picking it up and seeing a text.

From Rowan.

You alive?

My heart sank as I remembered yesterday. That stupid fucking comment on that stupid fucking porch.

"You look beautiful."

Fuck.