"Miss Reid, it's a shame really," Olivia sighed, looking over the documents in front of her. "I had high hopes for you. However, your drug test came back positive for opioids, ones which were never prescribed to you, as I'm reading your medical file as we speak. I warned you that there would be punishments for failed drug tests."
"With all due respect, I had a prescription for hydrocodone," Harleigh reasoned. She really did, she just never had it filled.
"Yes, but you tested positive for very high amounts of Oxycodone and Adderall, along with sedatives, did you really think we wouldn't suspect something was wrong when you slept for 36 hours straight?" Olivia scolded. "Harleigh, I understand that you are in pain, but I offered to have you evaluated, you declined. Now, you're risking jail time for recreational use of narcotics," she continued.
"Or, you could be like every other person who's ever worked here and just brush me off as another fucked up kid who's just going to die a young death on the streets somewhere?" Harleigh scoffed. "Seriously, Olivia, I know you mean well, but my life sucks, okay? My kid sister fucked everything up and let's face it, my father signed away his rights, all of my brothers have records and in three months I age out. Just let this go."
"I can't do that, Harleigh, and you know it. However, I'm willing to fight to keep you out of jail, under one condition," she said with a sigh.
"What?" Harleigh cocked an eyebrow. She wasn't used to people in that shithole caring.
"You attend NA meetings twice a week until you age out and you pass your classes," she said softly. "I know you're struggling with your second time through Junior year and quite frankly, if you don't pass this time, I don't see you getting a third chance. If you pull your grades up while you're here and you attend meetings, I won't turn you in for drug use."
"You're kidding, right? I'm not an addict!" Harleigh growled. "I'm in fucking pain!"
"And your pain will be managed. I've spoken with your doctor and had your prescription filled. We will monitor your medication and in return, you comply with the restrictions I have given you, understood?" Olivia gave her a look that could only be described as one a real mother would give. "I have faith in you, Miss Reid, don't let me down. Now there's a cab waiting to take you to school, I expect you to get this slip signed by all of your teachers as well as your boss today."
"Fine," Harleigh nodded.
"First NA meeting is tomorrow, after visitations," she added as she nodded towards the door. Harleigh didn't say anything, just grabbed her backpack and made a beeline for the street. Once outside, she glared at the cab driver, who was giving her a frustrated look.

"You can smoke," he motioned for her to get in. "Don't worry."

She nodded her thanks and lit a cigarette before sliding into the backseat of the cab. She sat silently as they made the hour drive to the high school. Once there, she made her way to her Chemistry class as quickly as she could. She was already late, but she was certain Olivia had already informed the school that she would be. Mr. Grimly didn't say anything as she handed him the slip of paper before sliding into her seat next to Lip.

"You look like shit," he hissed as he passed her his notebook so she could catch up. His handwriting was never all that neat, but that day she couldn't even focus on the words in front of her. She let her head rest on her hand as she tried to make sense of what was written in front of her.

"You busy after school?" she asked him, giving him a hopeful look.
"Unfortunately, yeah," Lip sighed. "I'm tutoring Karen Jackson," he added.
"Cool, I guess," Harleigh nodded.
"Why? What's up?" Lip asked. He could always cancel if he had to.
"Nothing, forget it," Harleigh said quickly. The bell rang before she could finish. "I'll catch you at lunch?"
"Yeah, okay," Lip nodded. He studied her face for a moment. She was paler than usual, her hair messy, her features tense. He wanted to ask if she was okay, but he was too wrapped up in his own problems to really focus on her.

Harleigh wanted to ask if he was going to come for visitation Tuesday, but she decided against it. She could feel the tension between them and it bothered her. They'd always been close, always been able to work through whatever issues they had, but in that moment, she felt completely rejected and alone.

She grabbed her books, letting him have his notebook back before making her way to her next class. She wanted to bolt, but she felt like if she didn't follow what Olivia told her to do, she'd end up in jail and that was the last place she wanted to spend the next three months. With a heavy heart, she went from one class to the next, barely paying attention to anything that was being taught.

When lunch rolled around, Harleigh was too exhausted to even try to find Lip in the crowd to teenagers talking and fooling around. Instead, she walked outside and let the cool fall air ease some of the pain from her aching bones.

"Hey, Lip's looking for you," a familiar voice broke her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Ian coming over to her. "You look like shit."
"Thanks," she muttered. "Yeah, didn't feel like being social today I guess."
"You okay? Skip's worried about you, but he kind of took off last night, not entirely sure where he went," Ian said, coming to sit beside her.
"Yeah, I'm good," she nodded. "Just tired."
"You've got this, you know that, right?" Ian said softly, brushing his hand against hers. "You're going to be okay."
"I know," Harleigh nodded, swallowing the tears that were threatening to fall. "Tell everyone I love them and thank you."

She stood up before Ian could say anything else and headed in the general direction of the diner. She knew she'd catch shit for cutting class, but she needed a distraction, something to keep her mind from racing and to keep the itch at bay. She knew her boss, Richard, would let her work early. He always needed people for the afternoon rush anyway.

She made it to the diner by 1, but was surprised to see Richard giving her a grim look when she went to punch in.

"Harleigh, your case worker was here about five minutes ago looking for you," he said softly. "I can't let you work if you're skipping school."
"I'm only missing Economics and Trig, I'm flunking them anyway," she said with a shrug. "I needed to get out of there."
"Harleigh, you're one of my best waitresses, and you know I think of you as one of my own children, but unfortunately, I think I have to suggest you take the next three months off. If you choose to come back after you're eighteen, your job will be here for you," he said, trying his best not to sound too disappointed.

Harleigh stared at him, her mouth gapped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I've worked for you since I was sixteen! I've worked every single holiday, every weekend. I've come in every single time you needed a shift covered. I've raked in more tips than your entire team combined! You're going to cut me loose when I need you most?" She cried, tears welling in her eyes. "I need this job, Richard! It's the only thing keeping me sane!"
"Harleigh, I am so, so sorry," he said softly. He handed her an envelope, his face grim. "Think of it as an extended vacation."
"Fuck you," she growled, snatching the envelope from his hands. She stormed out of the diner before the tears could fall from her eyes.

She ran down the block, her heart in her throat. Without her job, she'd never be able to afford her own place when she was finally out of the system once and for all. Her hands shook as she looked around, trying to figure out what to do now. She wanted to kill Olivia for ruining the only good thing in her life. Her side ached horribly as she took off running towards the Alibi. Her head throbbed with every step. She didn't care. She needed to go numb and fast.