Summary: This follows the life of Scott Barringer in the few months before Horizon when everything goes completely out of control.

Warnings: Language, drug use, maybe mentions of abuse.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything (except for Jason and Rachel). Don't sue please:D

((New characters))

Jason Howard: 17 years old. He is tall and skinny with naturally messy hair. Parents are divorced and he lives with his father who is verbally and physically abusive. He is friends with Scott and Rachel.

Rachel Blackwell: 16 years old. She is tall and thin with short black hair. She moved in next door to Scott about a year ago and they've become good friends over. She doesn't know exactly what is going on at home with Scott, but seems to be one of the few to see through the mask that he puts up.

Chapter 3

Rachel ran to catch up with Scott in the parking lot after school. "Hey Scott! Wait up!" she called. "Where were you? I didn't see you this morning," She asked curiously. Scott turned around. She searched his eyes and saw that they were red and slightly puffy, like he had been crying or something.

"Are you ok?" she asked softly, touching his cheek. He seemed to flinch at her touch and she quickly dropped her hand.

"Sorry... I'm just really tired."

"It's called sleep. Maybe you should try it sometime." She joked, hoping to lighten the mood. He gave her a half smile. "Oh my gosh, did Scott Barringer actually smile?" she said with mock surprise.

"I have to get to practice. Coach wants to review film or something before the game. I'll catch up with you later," Scott said before turning around and heading for the locker room. When he got there, the rest of the team was already seated and watching the coach draw out plays on the dry-erase board.

"Nice of you to join us Barringer." Coach Sydes retorted as he walked in and took a seat.

"Don't get used to it," Scott said under his breath.

"You wanna say that again?" Everyone's eyes seemed to be fixed on Scott now.

"Nope."

"I'm not feeling your attitude, Barringer."

"Did we come here to argue or did we come here to learn plays 'n shit?" Scott said, slouching in his chair.

"One more slip up from you Scott and you're off the team," Coach said in a threatening voice. Scott knew he was testing his boundaries, but once he was in defensive mode, it was hard for him to get out of it.

"Like I said before, whatever."

After the coach reviewed some more plays they watched a short film of clips from the team they were supposed to be playing tonight. Scott couldn't help but think that all of this was ridiculous. All of it. This team, this game... It seemed that was all anyone cared about. Who cares if you flunk every class, as long as you win football games you get a free ride to college.

Pretty soon it was game time and Scott found himself running out onto the field, surrounded by hundreds of cheering fans in the stands.

He caught pass after pass, scored touchdown after touchdown. He was the hero. Maybe that's why he kept coming back to this game. On the field, he was the hero. He got caught up in the moment and it felt good. But once the clock ran down and the game was over, he was just like every other jock out there. Acting cool on the outside, but just as scared and insecure as everyone else.

Scott took off his helmet and walked into the locker room. Everyone was slapping on the back and telling him good game. He took a quick shower in the locker room and changed into an extra pair of clothes that he had in his locker.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out side and almost walked straight into his dad who was eagerly waiting for him with Elaine. The stadium was almost vacant except for a few players and their parents and some loitering fans from the stands.

"You played great, son," Martin said, wrapping Scott into a hug.

"I never knew you could run that fast," Elaine added.

"Thanks," Scott said dryly. Her voice made him sick.

"I could tell the scouts were watching you."

"Yeah." That's all his dad seemed to care about. Football and college scouts.

"Why don't we go out to dinner and celebrate?" Elaine suggested cheerfully.

Just then Rachel and Jason walked up. "Great game Scott!" Rachel said with a huge smile on her face. Scott loved her smile; it was genuine and warm, nothing like Elaine's.

"Yeah, I guess you were alright," Jason added jokingly.

"Thanks guys," Scott replied warmly. They always had a way saving him, even when they didn't know it. Scott turned to his dad and step-mom. "Thanks for the offer, but I already promised Jason and Rachel that I'd treat them to dinner." Scott lied. He looked to Rachel and Jason for help.

"Uhh, right. And you know what they say about people who break promises..." Rachel said to Martin awkwardly.

"Oh really? What is that?" Martin asked. He didn't like this girl or Jason. All they did was cause his son trouble.

"Well, you know... they, um..." Rachel wasn't so good at the whole lying thing.

"Grow a big nose." Jason added. Martin looked at him strangely "Like Pinocchio."

"Yeah, so we're just going to go... now." Scott said grabbing both Rachel and Jason by the arm and walking away from the awkward conversation as fast as he could. Once they were out of earshot of Martin and Elaine, Scott said, "You guys really suck at lying."

"Yeah, well you caught me off-guard," Rachel said defensively.

"No, you just suck at lying," Scott said plainly, smiling at her.

"Well at least I didn't talk about Pinocchio like that genius over there." She pointed at Jason who stuck up his middle finger playfully at them both. They reached Jason's muscle car in the parking lot and jumped in, with Rachel sitting in the front and Scott reluctantly sitting in the back seat.

Jason started up the engine and rock music blasted over the stereo.

"So where are we going anyway?" Jason asked once he started driving.

"To get some food, duh." Rachel said. "Scott already said he was paying."

"I just said that to get away from them," Scott said in his defense.

"I think Chris is throwing a party. We could go over there," Jason suggested.

Scott knew that Chris always threw the crazies parties. He smiled to himself before responding, "Fine with me."

Early the next morning...

Scott came stumbling through the front door of his house, completely wasted. His limbs felt like lead, so it didn't make walking very easy. It was still early, so luckily his dad and Elaine were still asleep.

Finally making it up to his room, Scott collapsed on his bed. He was so exhausted. As much fun as partying can be, it seemed to take a toll on you after a while.

Scott got to sleep for a few more hours, but it seemed as soon as he lay down his door flew open and in stormed his dad.

"Where the hell have you been!"

Scott just grunted and turned over in response.

This seemed to be the routine lately. Scott would come in wasted. His dad would ask him where he's been. Scott would either ignore him or tell him off and then he would usually get some lecture before his dad finally got sick of him and left him alone.

"Answer me, damnit!"

His dad seemed unusually pissed off.

"I was at a party." Scott said tiredly into his pillow. "No go away."

"You're throwing your life away, Scott! Do you not realize that? How can you be so stupid!"

Scott didn't know why, but those last words stung. Even in his hangover haze, they still had an un-expectantly hurtful impact on him.

"How can you?" Scott shot back, standing up to look his dad in the eye. "Don't you see what's going on right in front of you!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Scott said softly, looking down.

"I don't know what to do with you anymore, Scott," his father told him seriously. Disappointment was thick in his voice.

"I'm sorry..." Scott wanted to tell him why he had to get high every single day. He wanted to tell him everything, but he couldn't. He knew his dad wouldn't believe him. Who would? He was a guy, he should've stopped her, which only made him even more of a pathetic freak.

And I'd like to give a HUGE thank you to Melms213 and Danyu for their reviews!