It's been a week since I started drinking. The alcohol has helped my depressed mood. I'm no longer withdrawn from the team. I've been playing better in hockey and my grade have improved. I might be able to graduate this year. I know the team is happy about my mood change except Connie and Coach. They're a little worried that I was able to uplift so easily.

It's practice and I am on fire. I've been able to get passed Julie in net an dam able to get every pass aimed at me. I'm laughing, having a great time when suddenly I'm hit with a horrible headache. I feeli like my skull is splitting in half and I sink to the ice in pain. Connie and Adam are at my side in seconds. They help me up and bring me to the team box. I see Connie's worried face and try to reasure her but the pain is too strong. I wrench myself from their grasp and head to the locker room. After making sure no one is around I oepn my locker and take a bottle of whisky out of my bag. I drink half in one gulp and immediately my headache disapears. I get up to go back to pracitce. I enter the arena and quickly reasure them I'm ok.

After practice, I'm getting ready to go home when Connie comes up to me. ''Hey Spazway, you want to go to the mall with me?'' she asked. I was going to decline but it would be too weird if I did. ''Alright let's go.'' I said. Before we left I filled my water bottle with the left over whisky. When we get to the mall, Connie drags me into American Eagle despite my protests. ''Connie, I don't see why I have to wait for you.'' I said as she entered the changing room. ''Because you're my bestest friend and you love me.'' she said. I chuckled. ''That and Julie couldn't come.'' she said stepping out. ''I knew it!'' I exclaimed. We left the store and went to Gamestop. ''So what is this punishment for dragging you to a clothing store. I have to be in a video game store?'' Connie asked and I browsed the store. ''You take forever to look and then you never find a game you like!'' she exclaims. ''Same thing with you and clothes.'' I shot back. ''Well you take forever and need to read the back of every cover until you know it by heart!'' she said. ''Well you need to try on every piece of clothing in the store before you say that it's not what you're looking for.'' I said. ''Well I want to wear something nice and what I like. After all some people actually care about what they wear.'' she said. ''And some people actually care what games they play.'' I said. She responded by sticking her tongue out at me.

I walked Connie home and when we reached her door she turned to me and said ''Thanks Spazway. I haven't that much fun with you in a long time.'' Then she reached up and kissed me on the cheek. She blushed when I looked at her and hurried inside. I touched my cheek and smilied a little before heading home.

I enter my house my head right up to my room as the headache comes back. I close the door and open my dresser where I keep all the alcohol. I garb a bittle of beer and gulp down a few sips. Soon my headache is gone and there is the buzz that I love so much. After a few more sips I black out.

I wake up the next morning with another hangover. I head to the bathroom and take an asprin. I go back to my room and put the beer bottle back in my dresser and make my bed. I head downstaris and smell the bacon and eggs Coach made for breakfast. I eat a little not wanting to lose it all in about 10 minutes. I decided to go for a skate and get ready to leave. Before I go, I poor the left over beer into my water bottle.

I skate over to the old basketball court where we have played many games before. I spot the team playing a game and decide to watch. A time-out is called and Connie and Julie head my way. ''Come play Spazway.'' Julie said. I shook my head. ''Don't feel like it.'' I said. ''I'm thirsty.'' Connie said grabbing my water bottle before I can stop her. She takes a sip and quickly spits it out. She looks questionatly at the bottle then at me. ''What is this crap Charlie?'' she asked me. Julie grabbed the bottle and sniffed at it. ''It's beer!'' she exclaimed. By now the whole team has crowded aroun dus and they all looked at me shocked. I tired to skate away but Adam stepped in front of me. ''What are you doing with beer?'' he asked me. ''It's none of your damn business now leave me the hell alone!'' I shouted at him. I pushed him down and skated away drowning out the shouts of the ducks.

I arrived home to see Coach waiting for me. ''Hey Coach.'' I said. ''What are you doing drinking beer Charlie?'' he asked me. ''It's none of your business.'' I siad marching up to my room. I opened up my dressor and discovered my stash gone. I raced back downstairs. ''Where do you get off taking away that stuff!'' I shouted. ''I can take away anythign I want if it's going to hurt you. I'm your guardian and while you live under my roof there will be no drinking!'' he shouted back. ''You might be my guardian but you're not my parent. I don't have to listen to you.'' I shouted. I ran to my room and packed a bag. I was leaving this place. I opened my window and snuck out.

I was walking the street when I spotted a couple of guys I knew from school. They were the ones who gave me all that alcohol. ''Hey Pete, Ron I need a place to stay for a while. Can I stay with you?'' I asked them. They took me to an old shack where a bunch of their buddies hung out. I made my self at home.

It's been a few days since I left Coach and I've never been happier. I've been getting drunk every night and it's been great. ''Yo Charlie, let's go for a ride.'' Pete said one night. We had all been drinking and I knew I shouldn't have but still I drove. We were all drunk and singing in the car having a party. I was so wasted I didn't see the light turn red or hear the horn beeping. I remember the crash, the pain. the blood. I heard the screams to call 911. Then everying went black.