Far Behind
Chapter 3: Changes
Dustin woke up the next day to see the room empty once more. He looked over to see the clock. It was the afternoon and he groaned, stretching his arms out. He climbed out of the bed and looked around, he was tired and his head was pounding. He looked like a zombie. Even his hair was messier then ususal. He stumbled into the bathroom to wash up, and to fix his hair the best he could. His eyes were heavy and his face was pale white. He banged his head against the bathroom mirror for a few minutes, listening to it creak every time he made contact with it. After a few seconds of self torture, he looked at himself. Staring into his own chestnut brown eyes, seeing the horror in front of him. He left the bathroom and into the room and searched around for new clothes. The ones he slept in where all wrinkly and made him felt like he was wearing rags. He cleaned his bed, and noticed the crinkled white paper he read last night. He picked it up and threw it on the floor and left the building. The paper bounced on the floor and rolled half way under the bed.
Dustin exited the building, and covered his eyes from the brilliant light of the sun. Tori and Shane were no where to be found, he had completely forgot that they were at Shane's skate demo. He walked down the campus, luckily he had no classes today or he would have skipped them. He looked around and put his hand in his pockets. He felt a needle in the pockets and pulled it out and starred at it. Looking around, he walked into the ally way and did his ususal. He leaned against the wall and inserted the needle into his arm and closed his eyes. He felt the familiar rush of high going through his body, the tingling sensation. The kind of feeling where you just won the super bowel or Aced a Math exam.. It was strange how Dustin was doing this to himself, when it seamed like he had a care free and perfect life. Dustin leaned against the wall, feeling the cold hard bricks behind him. He leaned his head against the wall and began thinking of the letter. The bad news he found out had given him all the more reason to do what he has been doing. Maybe the fact that he missed his ranger days or the pressure in trying to get into the free styling nationals for motocrossing added to the effect. Whatever it was, it was fueling his desire to do it more and his life was spiraling down.
He threw the needle away and rubbed his eyes, the same old spinning had occurred again. This time though, he felt sick and weak as he tried to walk throughout the campus. He had no where to go, as he spun around in circles. The voices of other people's conversation were echoing through his head and everything just seamed to be brighter then ususal. He had no idea how he got there, but he ended up at the moto cross track. People were motocrossing around the track as Dustin walked on by and watched. He wasn't realizing where he was going and bumped into his Boss Kelly. Dustin rubbed his eyes to make the blurry vision a little better, and looked at her. She took a few steps back and looked up and down at Dustin.
"Dustin, are you all right?" She asked with concern.
Dustin gulped, looking at her. She looked into his eyes as he took a step back, trying to keep his balance.
"I'm-im fine." He forced the words out.
"You look like a mess. Dustin, clean yourself up. I can't let you race with this condition."
He grew a bit irritated, "What if I don't want to race."
"You can't be serious." Kelly replied, "You've worked so hard. Everyone is counting on you. Don't screw this up now Dustin."
Dustin took a few step backwards, "I-I just can't do it any more." He turned and began to walk away, knowing that it was a big mistake for showing up in the first place.
Kelly watched, sighing. She didn't know what to do. Dustin found his way back on campus, where he placed his hand on a side wall to catch a breather.
Shane and Tori were at the skateboarding demo. It was almost over and Shane had one more session to do before the both of them could go home. He walked over to Tori with his skateboard and looked around.
"Dustin show up at all?" He asked.
Tori shook her head, "No. I wonder what's keeping him from coming."
"Man, you should have seen him yesterday. I think he's doing something."
Tori shook her head, refusing to believe that, "Shane. No, there has to be some logical explanation."
"Why can't you just admit that there may be a problem on our hands." Shane's voice began to rise.
"Because I believe that there isn't. I'm his friend, if something was wrong, he would have told me." She retorted
Shane took a step forward, "Would he? I mean, is that what you seriously believe?"
"I don't know any more Shane." She sighed deeply.
Shane's name was called over the speaker and it was his turn to skate again. He shook his head and skated off as Tori clapped and watched. She didn't know too much of what was going on with Dustin, but she figure Shane could be right. Maybe something was wrong and that Dustin wasn't telling her, but it wasn't like him. It was so out of character. She sighed and continued to watch. Hours past and night had dawned upon the world. Shane and Tori went out to dinner to celebrate Shane's skating demo success before going home.
It was getting pretty late and Dustin was still wondering the campus. He looked at his silver slick watch and noticed it was 1 in the morning. The effect of the drug was wearing off and he was feeling burnt out. He was tired, had a headache and his eyes were getting heavier. He made his way up the stairs and to the dorm room. He opened the unlocked door and walked in. Shane was reading a book by the light as Dustin turned and looked at him. Shane tossed the paperback book to the ground and jumped off his bed.
"Where the hell have you been?" He quickly asked.
Dustin shrugged, "Around."
"Around? Do you have any idea what time it is."
"What are you? My mother?" He snapped back.
Shane shook his head, "You missed my Skate Demo. You promised you'd show up."
Dustin looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry. It just slipped my mind."
Shane took a few step forward and looked at him. Dustin looked away, trying not to show the changes in his face. Shane closed his eyes and opened them again. Trying to let any frustration out before trying to talk to him again.
'Dustin, what has gotten into you."
"Nothing. Would you get off my back."
"Kelly called me earlier. She was looking for you. Did you tell her you quite Motocross. That's stupid." He retorted, "She said you had no reason."
"That's fucked up. I thought we were best friends, why are you analyzing me?"
"That's exactly my point. I am your best friend, I want to know what is wrong. You look horrible Dustin."
"I'm tired, I missed one demo. There's always next time. And what do you care what I do about motocross or not?." He shouted.
Shane sighed, standing there. He scratched his head, trying to figure out the right words without pissing off Dustin.
"I'm fine. Just leave me the hell alone. I didn't ask for your concern, and I'm not going to anytime in the future."
Shane sighed, "Cam and the others are coming to visit for a few days, starting tomorrow. Shape up."
"Fuck you."
Shane took a few steps forward, until he was in his face, "You're pathetic."
Dustin lost it, anger filled his head. He took a few steps back and swung his fist right into Shane's face. Shane crashed to the ground as Dustin turned and stormed out of the room. Shane groaned, starring at the ceiling as he heard the door slam shut. The conversation wasn't where he wanted it to go, but it was too late now. He turned over and noticed a crinkled paper near Dustin's bed. He reached over and picked up. Standing up, he placed himself on top of his bed and unwrinkled the paper and read it.
Dear Dustin,
I regret to inform you that your father had gotten into a car accident and did not make it. Your mother is making arrangements for the funeral, which will be held in a few days. Seeing how your in college, she has asked you to stay until the funeral is held and attend your needed classes. If you need to talk, my door is always open.
The Dean
Shane looked up and sighed deeply, realizing what he did. He was so angry at Dustin, but after reading the letter, he just didn't know how to feel. Should he hate his good friend for being such a jerk or feel sorry? He didn't know. He turned off the light and went to sleep, feeling that it was best to leave him alone and fill Tori on his new discovery. The soft chirps of the crickets outside echoed as the moon light shined through the window. Shane adjusted the cover and stared up at the ceiling for a few more seconds before closing his eyes.
Dustin walked back outside, the cold air embraced his skin as he shivered. He looked up at the night and saw all the stars lit up. He walked into a giant field and sat down. The grass was soft and cold as it brushed up against his legs.
"Where is my life going..." He thought to himself, "I really miss you dad." He spoke aloud.
He grunted, holding back his tears. He tried to force a smile on his face, like he had always done when in feeling down. It just wasn't working. He sighed deeply, taking a huge breath of air as he wiped his tears away and laid back on the grass. He slowly fell asleep as he listened to the crickets chirp.
--
Read And Review