Chapter 22 - Normal

4.9K 144 27
                                    

"Jesus, don't let Adam see you," River said sitting next to me.

When I didn't respond he asked, "You good?"

"Never better," I smiled.

He took the bottle from me, "Hey," I protested.

He took a long drink.  

"Are you good?" I slurred.

"Never better," he smiled.

Some guy sat next to River.  

The guy pulled out a joint and lit it.  He breathed out the smoke.  He offered it to River.  Before River said anything, I took it. 

"Cassie," River warned.

I ignored him and put it to my lips.  I blew the smoke out and offered it to River.

He sighed and took it.

The guy took it back and motioned me closer.  He blew out and I sucked in the smoke.  

"Damn, you're a natural," the guy said.

I shrugged.  The truth was I used to smoking all the time before I came to the Wayne's.  I never got addicted.  It just helped me with my nerves.  That's probably why I cry so much more now.

The three of us passed the bottle and joint around.  

"Adam's going to kill you," Cole was standing in front of us.

"Do I look like I give a fuck?" I asked.

"Are you high or drunk?"

"Both," I laughed.

"You?" Cole pointed at River.

"Same," River said with his head laid back and eyes half closed.

"For fucks sake," Cole said.

Cole took the bottle.  It was empty.  

"What are you doing here?" Adam's harsh voice asked.

"Who?" I asked.

"You," he growled.

"Really, where?" I looked around.  I smacked River in the stomach.  "Do you see you?"

"Me?" River asked.

"No, you."

"Oh, uh no I'm not here," he slurred.

I nodded.

"Come on, this is actually funny," Cole said to Adam.

"River!" Hope yelled in disapproval. "You promised you'd stop," she said in a smaller voice.

"I know I just…" he trailed off.

"Just what?" She sat next to him intentionally pushing our new drug friend off the couch.  She glared at him as he got up.  This must not have been the first time.

"Just feel calmer," he sighed.

"What makes you not calm?" She asked.

"Why can't you ever just listen to me," Adam said, taking my attention away from Hope and River.

"Because you're an ass,” I restored.

“Sorry that I care about you.”

“You could do it nicer?” I mumbled.

He was about to say something, but Cole cut him off.

“You guys ready to go home?” 

I nodded, “The mood is ruined.”

The UnveilingWhere stories live. Discover now