Katieburg73x: I think that says you're only just into the fandom, but I'm glad you're enjoying it! That's such a nice comment to read :)
Guest: He certainly would! :)
NightshadeLG: I really like putting those little ooc moments in for Space Kid, just like that one, and yes indeed, shit! :)
This is another backstory chapter, and this includes some major triggers such as depression, alcohol abuse and many, many musical theatre references. :)
This is how Preston became a patient in Campbell Hospital.
It was another challenging day for Preston, his grandmother needed picking up from her appointment immediately after school finished, which was a challenge enough getting her onto the right busses and making sure she didn't wander off somewhere. Then the moment he got home, a fresh wave of alcoholic smell hit his face, as did several chores that obviously needed to be done, such as basic hovering and making dinner before Angelica got home. His father was passed out on the sofa again, the TV blaring. Preston's grandmother placed herself on the armchair and patiently stared at the screen, even when Preston shut it off.
Preston busied himself with the cleaning and cooking, his mind totally focused on the new bootleg he had found on youtube that he planned to watch this evening. Preston didn't exactly like doing these chores, he'd much rather be focusing on writing play that would make his family rich. But someone needed to do it, and his grandmother barely knew what was happening half the time. His dad was a passed out drunk half the time and, the other half, he was just plain unbearable. And Angelica was working almost all the time to scrape an income to keep a roof over their heads. That just left Preston.
Just as Preston had finished wiping down the oven and was looking forward to singing along with Jared and Connor, the door burst open to reveal his sister, Angelica, laden with shopping bags and stress.
"Hey sis." Preston waved. "I made dinner."
"Thanks." Angelica dumped the shopping down. "Help me put this lot away will you and then get gram gram to eat. Don't leave her until she's eaten."
"But I-" Angelica glared.
"No buts. I would, but I am fucking exhausted." She rubbed her brow. "I had to work FIVE shifts today, FIVE! Oh, and after you've done that, can you wake dad up? He's got the night shift at the seven eleven again."
Preston felt like freezing his own brain at this point. "I've got a ton of homework to do-" He argued, but his sister turned on him.
"Preston Alexander Goodplay, do you honestly think your struggles compare to what I go through on a daily basis. After you've got him up and out, you can have your own dinner and do your effing homework."
"And you?"
"I'm taking a nap." Angelica grimaced. "See you at ten o clock."
Preston didn't comment on the fact that his sister knew he'd still be up at ten, struggling through essays that no one would help him with. His grades were slipping, his teachers constantly complained that he never brought his parents to the meetings that got set up and he was always up so late that he even fell asleep in class. Preston was constantly fuelled on coffee, giving him an over the top nervous energy that many people disliked. His grandmother's deafness and his father's reluctance to listen had lead to him shouting a lot of the time. He was constantly anxious over everything, grades, whether or not anyone even liked him, if his plays were good enough to earn any money... Preston's life wasn't going well and hadn't been for a good while.
With a sigh, Preston served up a plate for his grandmother and took it to her, making sure she ate enough, then made up a plate for his sister, and some food in a lunchbox for his dad to take with him, and scraped the leftovers together to make himself a plate. He put away the groceries. Now came the hard part. Waking up his dad.
Preston approached his father with caution and very gently poked his face. He didn't stir.
"Uh, dad? Dad? Dad you need to get up for your shift! DAD!" The man let out a grunt. Preston sighed, and gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder. His efforts earned him a twitch of the face. Preston checked his watch. His dad needed to be at work in ten minutes or he'd get the sack, which would put an unbearable amount of weight on Angelica's shoulders an would make him lie around the house all day, every day for months until Angelica could find him another job.
"DAD!" Preston yelled. His father grunted and rolled over, facing upwards. Preston sighed. He didn't want to do this, but he didn't have a lot of choice. Filling a glass of water from the kitchen, he dumped the contents on his father's face. The man sat up with a gasp, and lashed out, hitting the glass from Preston's hand so it smashed against the far wall. Preston squeaked in alarm.
His dad sat up, rubbing his eyes blearily. "Huh? Preston? What did you wake me up for?"
"Your shift dad." Preston said with a sigh. His father lay back.
"That's not until tomorrow."
"No, you've got the night shift today, remember? Angelica told you this morning." His father sighed angrily.
"Do you honestly think I can go in in this state?" He demanded. "I'll go tomorrow."
"If you don't show up, you'll get sacked!" Preston argued.
"Don't argue with me!" His father snapped, raising a fist threateningly. Preston cowered and his father laughed. "Now get out of here so I can sleep."
That was exactly what Angelica snapped when Preston went to get her for help. And in the morning when his father woke up, she'd blame him for not waking him up. Nevertheless, Preston went upstairs with his plate to do his homework. Scrap the bootleg, that would have to be done at a later date. Maybe in the holidays when he was less tired.
But sitting in front of his textbooks, Preston found that he just didn't care about the grades or school or any of it. Life was being a complete and utter bitch to him, maybe he should be a bitch back.
"Fuck you." Preston muttered, kicking his books aside. He laughed. It was Thursday night, one night from Friday. He might as well have a little fun.
Five minutes later, Preston held the biggest bottle of alcohol in the house in his hands, a large, undiluted vodka. Preston considered this. He might as well have a few shots. Passing out drunk would certainly make this nightmare of a day pass sooner. And maybe if he didn't show up at school tomorrow, they would kick him out. Preston was sick of doing the dirty work, even if there was no one else around to do it. They take him for granted? Let's see how they do without him.
Angrily, Preston unscrewed the cork and took a swing of the bitter tasting liquid.
Twenty minutes and two and a half bottles later, Preston was drunker than his father, lying spread-eagled on his back, singing the Lightning Thief soundtrack at the top of his lungs. Round about the campfire song mark, he was yelled at by his sister to shut up. He didn't, and kept taking little sips from the bottle, giggling at his own drunkenness. The night wore on and Preston had just broken the tree on a hill mark when he heard Angelica bang on the door.
"Shut the FUCK UP! I have to go in early tomorrow and I would appreciate some rest!"
"I would appreciate some PARTYING!" Preston yelled, laughing before launching into DOA.
"Preston? Are you drunk?"
"A little." Preston giggled, clinking his empty bottles together. Angelica banged on the door.
"Open up this INSTANT!" She sounded worried. Fun spoiler.
Just as Preston was about to get up and let her in, he began to feel dizzy, little black spots appearing across his vision.
"Uh, sis? I think I'm gonna go sleep."
"Preston NO! OPEN THE-" The door crashed open and the last thing Preston saw was his sister's shocked expression as he blacked out.
...
When Preston woke up, he wasn't in a familiar place. It was all white in there and the bed was large and comfy. He tried to rub his eyes but his limbs were too heavy and there was something sticking in his arm.
"Preston?" Preston turned his weary head towards his sister, who was sitting in a chair next to him. "Preston! You're OK!" She hugged him tightly.
"Huh, Ange? What happened, what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you to wake up, silly." Angelica seemed close to tears. "You've been in a coma for three days!"
"Three days!" Preston smiled a little. "He'd gotten some drunken fun and a three day pass from school! "Wait, aren't you meant to be at work?"
"I had to beg for a night shift." Angelica explained. "I wanted to be here to make sure you're OK. I'm gonna make it up to them with working full time for the same rate of pay next month."
"But who's gonna-"
"You'll have to, I'm afraid." Angelica sighed. "Just pitch in with the chores and looking after gram gram while I'm out."
Preston felt anger brew in his stomach. Of course, he nearly dies and the only thing on everyone's mind is how useful he is to the household.
Angelica stood up, putting her bag on.
"Where are you going?" Preston asked.
"Work." Angelica said. "I've gotta start going in now. Hurry up and get better, Preston, because we could really use your help."
A quick kiss on the head and she was gone. Preston lay back feeling weak and depressed. Of course the stunt he pulled wouldn't change shit. Well, he might as well take his time with recovery. He didn't feel like pitching in at home anymore.
The door opened again to reveal a tall, red haired man wearing a white coat and bright smile.
"Hello." He said with a little wave, sitting down next to Preston. "You must be Preston. I'm David, I'm gonna be your nurse while you're here."
"Oh, hi." Preston said a little gloomily. David gave him a sympathetic look.
"What's the matter? You're gonna be fine, Preston, out of here in a week if you recover fast."
Preston groaned. "This place has been nicer to me in five minutes than my dad and sister have been in five years and now I have to leave it back to being everyone's slave?" He sighed dramatically. "Maybe I should just literally break a leg and be done with it."
David frowned, and seemed to think for a bit. Then he put a hand on his shoulder.
"You know, if you take your time, and really take your time." David tapped his nose. "You could stretch it to two weeks, maybe three. And if you tell me more about your home troubles, perhaps I could help you out? I have links to family helplines and social services."
Preston choked and wiped his eye a little. "Why would you do that?"
"Because in kid's ward one in Campbell Hospital, everyone matters and no one deserves to feel the way you do." David smiled at him. Preston smiled back, overjoyed.
"Thank you!"