CHAPTER TWELVE
Scott was just coming off of a really bad day. Nothing seemed to be going right for him. He'd forgotten about an assignment that was due in English and now he had to make it up plus write an additional essay. He had gotten into an argument with Shelby over something stupid. They had made up, but he was still feeling down. He'd taken his anger out on one of Trackers during a pick up game of basketball and had landed himself on two weeks of kitchen duties. And now Peter wanted to talk to him in his office. Could the day get any worse?
Scott had taken his time getting to Peter's office. His head was full of ideas as to what Peter wanted. Perhaps he had heard about the missed assignment or the fight on the basketball court and wanted to take away some of Scott's new privileges, whatever the case, Scott was sure it couldn't be good, not the way his day was going. And then Scott was suddenly panicked. What if Peter had found his stash? It was possible that his things were searched while he was in class. Scott's heart was in his throat. His legs felt like lead. He wished he could just turn and run. He didn't want to face whatever was waiting for him in Peter's office.
Scott sat down on the steps outside the main office to gather his thoughts. He needed to relax. He couldn't talk to Peter when he was this worked up. Breathe he told himself. Just relax. He had been sitting there for about ten minutes when Peter saw him from his window and went outside to join him.
Scott was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't even hear Peter come up behind him. "Scott?"
Scott jumped. He turned to see Peter, but didn't say anything. He went back to staring off into the distance.
Peter sat down next to him. "Everything okay?"
"Yah, why do you ask?"
"Well I've been waiting for you in my office. I didn't expect to find you sitting out here. What's wrong?"
Scott picked up a stone and rubbed it between his hands. "Nothing. Just having a bad day."
"Want to talk about it?"
Scott shrugged. "I'd rather find out why you wanted to talk to me."
"Your dad called. He wanted to know how you were doing."
"Really?" Scott was surprised. He hadn't heard from his dad since his mom had passed away. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him that you were making good progress, but you still have a long road to recovery."
"Is that all he wanted?"
"Did you expect something else?"
Scott lightly tossed the rock from his hands and looked over at Peter. "He didn't ask to see me did he?"
"No Scott, he didn't." Peter said gently. "Do you want to see him?"
Scott thought about it for a minute. "No, not really. It would have been nice for him to ask about me though. That's all."
Peter studied Scott's face. "Are you sure?"
Scott nodded.
"Okay. I just need you to take a drug test for me and then you can go back to whatever you were doing."
Scott rolled his eyes. "Again?"
"Like I told you before, they're random now. You'll be taking drug tests on request."
"Fine. It's not like you're going to find anything." Scott stood up and followed Peter inside.
"Let's hope not," he smiled. "Now, why don't you tell me about this bad day of yours?"
"I'd rather save it for group if that's okay."
"That's perfect Scott. I'm real proud of you. You've come a long way in the last few weeks."
Scott again felt pangs of guilt thinking about what he was hiding back in his room. He thought about telling Peter, but again thought better of it. He would have to get rid of it. Maybe after he'd gotten rid of it he could tell Peter, but not now. He was still on thin ice with the counselors. Tonight. Tonight he would take care of it. After everyone was asleep he'd take it back to the woods and get rid of it once and for all. And then he wouldn't have to worry about anyone finding it. It would finally be over.