Chapter 11: What's Good for Me Part 2
It was another Monday morning at the Stavros home. Riley awoke feeling like a brand new Riley. That was probably because of his new best friend Vodka. He refilled his flask and then did his hygiene thing and went downstairs. His mom was awaiting him with a hug.
"Wow you seem chipper this morning." She said happily.
"Well, I feel a whole lot better. Today is gonna be a great day." He said. Mr. Stavros then came into the room.
"Yes, we see that you have made a change. That talk with Athena and Zane must've helped out a lot. Hey, that didn't set you back did it?"
"No dad, it didn't. In fact it just made me better." Riley replied. Neither one of his parents knew the real reason for his sudden happiness.
"So we heard that Athena really wants to be with you. Do you feel the same way about her?" Mr. Stavros asked excitedly. Riley started to panic. He quickly grabbed his bag and said, "Well, guys I'm gonna be late for school, so I'll talk to you later." Then he was out the door.
"Hmm, that must be a yes." Mr. Stavros said smiling to himself. Mrs. Stavros just shook her head. Something about the way Riley acted was off to her.
At Degrassi, everyone seemed to notice Riley's happiness too. Adam walked up to his locker with a concerned look on his face.
"You seem happy today. Wanna tell me why?" Riley looked at Adam with a weird expression.
"I'm fine. And it's my secret on why I'm so happy. I'm alive for one thing and I feel 100% better than I did before." Adam nodded his head.
"Well, alright. Don't do anything stupid today alright?"
"Sure thing pal." Riley patted Adam's shoulder as he walked away. Adam just raised an eyebrow and went to talk to his girlfriend. Fiona sat angelically on the bench outside of Degrassi.
"Um, Fi, now that you're out of rehab, I was wondering if change in behavior could be a result of drinking." Adam asked as he sat down beside her. Fiona unfolded her legs and faced him.
"Why? Is someone we know drinking?" She asked. Adam shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not quite sure yet. But I'll let you know as soon as I do." He said as he gave her a peck on the cheek.
Later that day, Riley still felt as happy as ever. Nothing could bring him down, that was until he saw Zane and Owen making out like love sick teenagers. His heart dropped as he watched this. He quickly turned the corner and went into the bathroom. Drew saw this and followed him in.
Riley got over to the sink and pulled out his flask. He downed the whole thing in seconds. When he was finished he put it back into his pocket and left. Drew then came out of one of the stalls and texted Adam.
Group meeting ASAP!
The group all met in the gym. Everyone with questioning looks on their faces. Drew and Adam stood front and center.
"Alright guys, Adam was right. Riley is drinking. Obviously to numb his pain of seeing Owen and Zane together." Drew said. Adam nodded his head in agreement. Everyone looked at each other and murmured amongst themselves.
"Well, what can we do?" Bianca asked.
"Well, maybe we could get him to go to my rehab center." Fiona suggested. Adam looked at her with sad eyes. "I don't think he'll go for that."
"He has too. He could be in real trouble here." Athena protested. She felt her feelings for Riley start to escalate.
"Well, let's get to it." Anya said. They all came up with a plan to help out their dear friend.
Riley had no idea what his friends were doing behind his back. He was too busy drowning his sorrows in Vodka. Zane knows how much he means to Riley, but he wants Owen instead. Riley felt that it wasn't fair. And he was gonna tell him that to his face. He walked right up to Zane and Owen.
"You know what Zane? I like you sooooo much." Riley slurred his words Zane raised an eyebrow.
"Riley," Zane smiled Riley's breath, "Are you drunk?" Riley swayed back and forth.
"Yeah, and it's totally worth it. This-this-this pain I-I-I feel, is starting to go…" Riley made a poofing noise. It was official, Riley was drunk. Zane tried to help Riley out, but Riley wouldn't have it.
"What are you d-doing?" Riley asked.
"Riley you need help." Zane snapped. Riley just smiled at Zane.
"Yeah, Zane's right. You do need help." Owen said innocently. Riley felt that Owen was trying to get smart.
"I didn't ask for your help. Yours especially." Riley said pointing to Owen. Owen put his hands up defensively.
"Riley come, on. Let's get you to the nurse." Zane said while trying to pull Riley into the nurse's office. Owen followed too of course. Riley was resistant, he pulled away from Zane.
"I-I-I don't n-need your help." He said. Zane grabbed his arms and looked him in the eyes.
"Yes you do! So let's just…" before he could finish Riley's lips were against his. Owen quickly pulled them apart.
"Dude, you really do need help, come on let's get you into the nurse's office." Owen tried to pull Riley away, but Riley refused.
"Don't touch me!" he yelled then punched him in the same eye as before. Zane grabbed Riley and tried to tell him to stop, but Riley pushed him off of him and was about to punch Zane when he finally realized what he had done and what he was about to do. He put his fist down and sank to his knees.
"Alright! I need help." He sobbed. Zane came over to him and held him, while Owen stayed back. He didn't want to get caught up in anything, but he did help Riley up. The rest of the gang heard about what had happened and joined them.
"Okay Riley, Principal Simpson will see you now." The secretary said. Zane gave Riley a good luck smile. After all he and Owen helped sober Riley up, well, at least to the best of their advantage.
"Wow, so he's back to drinking huh?" Owen asked Zane. Zane just shrugged.
"I honestly believe so. He used to do it before and then he stopped on his own. But now, it's like something set him off again." Zane wondered. Owen rolled his eyes playfully.
"Babe, is it really that obvious?" Zane looked up at Owen.
"It's our relationship. He's not over you yet, which I can totally understand because you're an amazing guy. And I'm lucky to have you." Owen said and kissed Zane. Riley came out of the principal's office to see them kissing again. He held in the bile that was forming in his throat.
"Hey, guys. It looks like I'm suspended for using alcohol in school. So I'll be going to the same rehab as Fiona and I'll see you guys soon." Riley said hugging everyone except Owen and Zane. He just gave them handshakes. Zane gave Riley a sympathetic smile. Riley gave Zane a fake one.
When Riley got home his parents were livid. They screamed and shouted at him, which did no good since he was still hung over. He just went straight to his room. He paced back and forth and thought about things. He came to a decision and acted on it.
Back at Zane's house Owen and Zane were lying on his bed. Zane was curled up next to Owen watching a movie. Owen would laugh from time to time, but Zane paid no attention to it. He just thought about Riley and the kiss.
"I really hope Riley doesn't do anything stupid." Zane said. Owen rubbed Zane's shoulders.
"He's just hurting right now. Trust me; this rehab should do him some good." Owen said with a smile. Just then Zane's phone rang.
"Hey Anya, what's up. Did Riley get to the rehab okay?" Zane asked.
"He's gone." Anya said. Zane shot up on the bed making Owen jump.
"What? What do you mean he's gone?" Zane asked.
"I mean Riley's mom walked in his room to get ready to take him to rehab and found him missing." Anya sounded worried. Zane couldn't believe this. He felt as if the whole room was spinning. He then put Anya on speakerphone so Owen could listen in too.
"What's wrong?" Owen asked.
"Riley's missing." Anya said.
Oh no! Riley' missing! Poor Zane. But anyway here's chapter 11. Wanna know what's gonna happen next? Hit review and find out.
