Gaia was getting ready for the winter formal in her room. She decided to go by herself. People had asked her, but Gaia was still reeling from the Break up with Fez.

Gaia was currently putting on her heels and packing up the flask she had with whiskey. She was slightly buzzed because she drank while getting ready. Gaia searched her jewelry box to find her favorite pair of diamond earrings and necklace. She looked through all the compartments until she found the items and something extra.

She saw a little baggie in her jewelry and grabbed it. Gaia looked at it and realized it was the fentanyl that Mouse gave to Rue. She heard someone knock on the bedroom door, so in a panic, she threw the little baggie into her purse.

" Can I come in?" She heard her mom ask from the other side of the door.

"Sure," Gaia said.

Gaia's mom gasped as she walked in and said," Oh, sweetie! You look so beautiful. You have to let me take pictures when you come down."

"Sure," Gaia answered apathetically.

Monique looked around the room awkwardly as she tried to figure out what to say next.

The two have been avoiding having a conversation about her cancer diagnosis. Sure they've talked, but neither dared to bring up the subject again.

" So, are you going by yourself?" Gaia's mom asked, trying to make conversation.

" Yep," Gaia responded.

A deafening silence followed that seemed like forever until her mom spoke, " So I guess I'm gonna leave you to finish up,"

"Okay. Thanks, mom," Gaia thanked. She turned back to her vanity, doing little touches on her makeup.

Gaia's mom turned to walk out of her room but stopped before getting out of the room entirely. She looked back at her daughter, putting on her eyelashes in the mirror. She wanted to turn Gaia around and have a conversation with her. She wanted to finally reconcile their issues and mend their relationship. She wanted to have her daughter by her side during one of the scariest parts of her life. However, what she wanted to do wasn't what she actually did. What Monique actually did was turn back around and go downstairs, further avoiding the uncomfortable work that needed to be done.

—-

Gaia walked into the gym and entered the winter formal. The gym was decorated beautifully, and the music was solid.

Gaia scanned the room and stopped when she saw her friends laughing at a table, passing around a Gatorade bottle, probably full of alcohol. Gaia was nervous to talk to Rue since she was a complete bitch to her the last time they spoke. Rue was right, but Gaia didn't want to hear it. Gaia had been staying off of hard drugs and only smoking weed.

Gaia slowly walked over to the table, which was already staring at her coming up.

" Hey!" Gaia greeted.

" Hi," Everyone sang in sync. Gaia went around and gave each person a hug and a kiss. To everyone's and Maddy's surprise, she gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. Everyone's heart melts a bit, seeing the two best friends slowly rekindle their relationship.

Gaia returned to Rue and asked, " Can we talk for a bit? "

" Uh…yeah, sure," Rue replied. Gaia and Rue went to a secluded area.

"I just wanted to say I'm so fucking sorry for snapping at you in the bathroom. I was high and depressed about Fez and a whole bunch of shit. I knew you were right, but I didn't want to come down," Gaia ranted.

" No, I should be apologizing to you. You're right; I was up Jules's ass, and I'm sorry for blowing you off," Rue apologized back.

" Bestie's again?" Gaia put her arms out.

Rue laughed and went in for the hug " Duh."

They hugged each other tightly and went back to the table.

The group talked about peaking in high school, but Gaia wasn't paying attention. Her depression was in full swing tonight, and all she could think about was; how much she loved and hated Fez, how much she needed to figure out the Harvey shit, and how her mom was dying and she couldn't do anything to save her. Gaia got her phone out, scrolled to her Fez contact, and pressed it. She saw all the messages he sent, saying Fez was sorry and how he had made a mistake. She saw him freaking out when she went MIA. The last message sent by him was:

Fez: I know you still mad at me, but I just wanted to say that I'm glad

you're safe. I love ma. Forever

Gaia hesitated to type a message but decided not to be strong. She put her phone back in her purse and took a couple of gulps from her flask.

" Are you alright, GG?" Cassie asked.

Gaia nodded, but deep down, she knew she was feeling more and more like shit by the second.

Suddenly, Nate entered the dance with his hand on his date's ass, which was exposed for the whole school to see. He locked eyes with Maddy, giving a slight smirk.

"First of all, ew. Second of all, ew." Maddy said while making a disgusted face.

" Why she got her ass out like that? Ain't nobody wants to inhale her ass flakes!" Gaia scrunched her face in disgust.

" Ugh, he's so gross!" Lexi added. She was drunk, and Gaia found it cute how she was more outspoken and carefree.

The two started grinding on each other in front of the group of girls. It was apparent he was trying to upset Maddy; it was working. Gaia looked at Maddy and could tell her blood was boiling every second she watched Nate and his date. Even though she didn't want to be a part of the Maddy and Nate circus anymore, she felt terrible that Nate was antagonizing Maddy.

Gaia sighed, got up, walked towards Maddy, and held out her hand " Fuck Nate Jacobs."

Maddy smiled and took her hand, letting Gaia lead them to the floor.

The duo did a sexy dance while their friend's table hyped them up. Even Jules and Rue were hyping them up from across the floor. Nate tried to keep his composure, but Gaia could tell he was bothered.

"I know we are still in the beginning stages of fixing our relationship but do you wanna really fuck with him?" Gaia whispered into Maddy's ear.

Maddy made eye contact with Gaia and knew exactly what she meant. Gaia leaned in and started to slowly kiss Maddy, who reciprocated. The table erupted in whistles and cheers. Jules and Rue's jaws dropped open. Nate was completely thrown off by this and went outside in defeat, which Rue followed.

Maddy and Gaia pulled away and laughed at the sight of Nate throwing a tantrum. They continued to dance until the song changed.

Gaia walked towards the table but was stopped by a random girl who wanted to dance, and she said yes. Lexi looked at the two with an unreadable face.

Even though it looked like Gaia was having fun, she barely held on to her sanity.

Gaia looked back at the table and saw Nate taking Maddy to dance. Gaia rolled her eyes and scoffed.

" Same bullshit!" Gaia thought.

She stopped dancing with the random girl and returned to her table to get her purse.

" Hey, I'm feeling warm from the alcohol, so I wanna catch some air," Gaia lied.

" Want me to come with you?" Lexi offered.

" No, I need some alone time, " Gaia smiled. She kissed everyone and went outside.

Gaia let the cold wind hit her exposed body as she walked to her car. She wasn't drunk anymore, so all the evil thoughts and feelings went racing to her. she thought about her mom and her cancer. She thought about her and Fez's failed relationship. She thought about how she will never get away from Nate. She thought about her relationship with Maddy and how it would never be the same as before Nate. She thought about how she basically helped Rue get hooked on drugs. She thought about her sexual assault and miscarriage. She thought about her family dying. Her mind kept thinking about all the bad shit that happened to her, and all she could feel was guilt. Everything was her fault. The guilt got so much that she did something she thought she could never do.

Gaia climbed into the jeep, slamming the door. She took out the little Fentanyl patch and stared at it. She opened it and used some tweezers in her bag to hold it. Gaia found a pair of scissors to cut the patch in one-fourth. She was too scared to take the whole patch on her first try. Gaia cut it into 4 parts and used the tweezers to pick up one piece. She was hesitant but eventually put it in her mouth.

Nate went outside to find Gaia to talk about Harvey once and for all. He didn't see her come back into the dance and was concerned that some psycho would try to take advantage of her.

He walked out and looked around for her car. When he spots it, Nate walks over to the driver's seat to get her attention. When he looked inside, he saw Gaia passed out in the driver's seat.

" GG?" Nate called out. When she didn't respond, he knocked on the window slightly. Gaia was still knocked out cold. Nate was confused since she was fine in the gym.

Nate looked around before checking to see if the car door was open. Much to his displeasure, it was. His mind started racing.

He opened it and immediately took Gaia by the shoulder to shake her awake" Gaia? Wake the fuck up!"

Gaia started to mumble a bit.

"Fuck! She's alive," Nate thought.

" What the fuck is wrong with you? You're fucking passed out in your unlocked car? Are you fucking stupid?" Nate scolded. He couldn't believe how reckless Gaia was being.

"Don't yell," Gaia managed to gurgle in response.

Nate started to feel something wasn't right with the situation. Gaia could always hold her liquor, so he knew she had taken something else.

He opened her eyes to see her pupils severely dilated.

"Fuck! What did you take, GG?!" He cursed.

The tall boy leaned over slightly and took her purse to search for the cause of her comatose body. He pulled out miscellaneous shit until he got to the culprit: fentanyl.

Nate's eyes bugged out of his head.

FENTANYL!

Nate's mind immediately went to autopilot. He scooped up Gaia's limp body and quickly carried her to his truck, putting her on the passenger side.

"I'm sorry," Gaia whined.

He didn't even acknowledge her words because he was focused. Nate returned and got her purse, keys, phone, and even the change of clothes she kept in her car all the time.

He locked her car and returned to his, throwing her stuff in the back. Nate hastily pulled off, slightly speeding towards the hospital.

"Where are we going?" Gaia slurred.

"To the hospital."

"Don't take me to the hospital."

"Don't be fucking stupid, GG!"

" I hate hospitals. Please just take me home. I'm fine."

" You can barely lift your head. You're going to the fucking hospital."

Gaia finds the strength to unbuckle herself slightly and open the passenger door, trying to leave the car.

"Are you crazy?" Nate leaned over and closed the door. He immediately pushed the button to lock the door.

" Please. I only took a little bit. I can't go to the hospital. Just take me to your house."

" Fine! Just don't try to jump out," Nate conceded.

Nate made an illegal U-turn and started driving to his house. He knew the best thing to do was go to the hospital, but she would rather die on the street than go there.

The drive was silent, with Nate keeping his fingers on her wrist while driving. Her heartbeat was slow but not weak to the point of concern. He glanced at her face every couple of minutes to make sure.

They got to Nate's house slightly slower than usual. Nate gathered her stuff and shoved it in her overnight bag, slinging it over his shoulder. Then he grabbed Gaia from the passenger side and carried her bridal style into his house. Luckily no one was home, so he didn't have to deal with stupid questions from the family.

Nate dropped her bag on the floor of his room and laid Gaia's body on his bed, gently on her side. He rushed downstairs to get her water just to keep her hydrated.

Gaia was awake but extremely sedated. It was implausible that she knew who she was with or where she was. The Williams girl started to slightly stir on the bed. The dress she was wearing made her skin feel irritated and sweaty. She used all her strength to unzip her dress and shimmy out of the fabric.

Nate returned to his room, surprised by an image he thought he would never see. Here was Gaia lying on his bed, only in her bra and underwear. Usually, Nate would see this as a victory; however, since Gaia was barely conscious, he knew she would never do this with a sober mind.

Nate went over to her and put the glass of water down. He grabbed her dress, putting it on an extra hanger he had. Then Nate pulled the covers over her practically naked body. Even though the sight of her made him flashback to their tumultuous sex life in sophomore and junior year, he wasn't one of those deviants who get off on unconscious girls. No, he wished this had happened under different circumstances.

All of a sudden, an idea came to him. This was the perfect opportunity to get the truth out of her.

He leaned over close to Gaia and shook her a bit.

"Dad? Raven?" Gaia mumbled.

Gaia was entirely out of it.

Even though it was fucked up to do this, Nate didn't give a shit. He wanted answers.

"It's Daddy, princess" Nate gently rubbed her head. He knew her dad used to call her princess.

A smile filled with bittersweetness swept across her face.

"I missed you and Raven so much," Gaia choked out. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"I know. I missed you too, but Daddy wants to ask you a question, and he wants the truth," Nate continued to rub her hair while staring at his ex's face.

Gaia nodded her head for Nate to go on.

" Did you want to have sex with Harvey?" Nate asked.

Gaia went silent for a minute before she let out an uncontrollable sob. Her eyes began to flood, and water started to pour out.

Nate started to shush Gaia and kiss her head to calm her down. She eventually did after saying repeatedly, "I didn't want to."

"You don't have to talk anymore," Nate replied, standing up.

He already got his answer.

TO BE CONTINUED