Saving Pierson

Wrong Crowd

Pierson

I wake up to a shuffling next to me, so I slightly open my tired eyes to see River at the door checking in on me before he goes to work.

But I don't process that right away so once he walks off, I fall straight back to sleep.

**

"Sorry I'm here! I had to change my clothes. I stayed at Rivers house last night so I was wearing his." I laugh, sitting at the table.

"Really? Rivers house?" Hadley scoffs.

"Getting some dick?" Waverley laughs, getting everyone else but me to laugh along.

I nervously laugh. "No, he's my childhood best friend."

"You've always been lame, Pierson." Noah laughs.

My eyes widen and I gasp once I remember. "Oh! River is meeting us at the party tonight once he gets off work!"

"Where does he work?" Waverley asks.

"He's a state trooper!" I smile at his accomplishment.

"Oh lame. You're gonna bring a cop to the party? He's gonna-"

"Oh no, River is really cool!-"

"Do NOT cut me off ever again." Waverley rolls her eyes.

I flinch and instantly a flashback comes.

"Hey Addax!" I walk in through the beer cans that suddenly become normal for me.

"YOU COULDN'T DO THAT AGAIN IF YOU TRIED!" he shouts and laughs over his mic.

He's in a good mood!

"What're you playing?" I walk over with a smile.

"OOOO! Got th-"

"Want me to make you some dinner?" I ask.

He instantly gets quiet and I see his fists clench.

I gulp as he turns off his mic. "DO YOU NOT SEE I'M FUCKING BUSY?!" he stands up and grips my throat, slamming me into the wall.

I struggle to breathe. "I-I-I'm sorry."

"DO NOT DO IT AGAIN, BITCH!" he spits on me and walks off, leaving me gasping for air.

"Why do you flinch so much?" Hadley takes me out of my flashback.

"I haven't been around people in so long, yknow?" I lie.

"You guys wanna go hangout at my house for a bit before the party?" Noah asks. "I got a shit ton of weed."

"Let's go!" Waverley jumps out of her seat and kisses him.

Guess we're going.

**

"Here. You don't look as I do in it, but it works." Hadley adjusts the straps on me.

"Thank you, Hadley." I smile.

"Is mr. cop still coming?" Noah laughs and I nod. "Great."

"We better get going, it's already seven."

We nod and get into Noah's truck that reeks of weed, smoke, and beer.

I hold in my breath as much as possible until we arrive at the party which is thankfully only twenty minutes away.

I'm the first out of the car.

"Gosh." Hadley gets out after me.

"Sorry." I frown.