Chapter 4

I woke up with a massive head ache, totally confused. What was going on? Why was my mouth so dry? Why did I feel so nauseous? Then it all came back. I groaned, throwing a pillow over my head.

I knew while I was doing it that I was getting a little bit carried away. I mean, a nightly ravine outing was nothing out of the ordinary- I'd been going for the past two weeks. But last night, I had opted out of smoking weed. The more I did it, the less it helped me forget. So instead, I went straight for the tequila.

I remembered the striptease vaguely. And I sort of remember hooking up with someone, though the person's gender is slightly unclear. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Or were the brown? There wasn't a girl like that, was there? Maybe it was Johnny.

Sick of thinking about it, I decided to put the whole night in my 'do not touch' drawer that was becoming more and more full. I sat up slowly, my head swimming. Only then did I notice Emma, sitting on a chair across from the bed. My eyes locked on the silver phone in her hand. My phone.

"Emma." I said in as steady a voice as I could manage. "Why do you have my phone?"

"Manny." Emma said, sounding a lot more serious then I could manage. "Look. I think you need help."

"Why do you have my phone?" I repeated.

"I know what you've been doing Manny." Emma said, purposely ignoring me. "After you think I've fallen asleep? I know that you've been sneaking down to the ravine. And I see you in the hallways with Johnny and his friends. I know you've been doing pot, and drinking. This needs to stop."

"Why do you have my phone, Emma?" I said again, my voice starting to rise.

Emma sighed. "I noticed that it's been ringing all the time, and that you've been ignoring it. I thought…"

"Emma." I said, trying as hard as I could to keep my voice calm. "What did you do?"

"I… I listened to your messages. Sam's left seven, Manny. He's generally worried about you, and he wants…"

"You what?!" I screamed. I jumped out of bed, causing my head to pound. I ignored it. "You nosy little shit! How is it any of your business…"

"I was scared, Manny!" Emma said, her voice rising. "I know you didn't tell me the full story about Sam. I'm really worried about you Manny, and I just want to know what's going on!"

I was so mad that I was shaking. I marched over to her and grabbed my phone out of her hands. I stared down at her for a second, before slapping her across the face. "Stay out of my life." I hissed, and then marched over to the window and let myself out.

Once I was outside, I stumbled onto the sidewalk. I didn't know where to go, who to turn to. Finally, I opened my cell phone, which I had clutched in my hand, and dialed Darcy's number. She wasn't much, but she was all I had.

"Hello?" She finally answered, after and endless round of ringing.

"Darcy? Hi. It's Manny. You wanna meet me? At the Dot maybe?"

"Oh, uh, sure! Yeah, that'd be fun! I'll be there in ten." There was a click, and then there was silence.