Halloween was okay. I didn't dress up and I ran went in for a few minutes. I talked to my friends briefly and claimed I had homework. I didn't. I had freaking out to do. I went back to my apartment and paced. I always hated this time of year. Halloween reminded me of monsters and then there was the anniversary of my mother's death.
The next few weeks of school really slammed down on us. The teachers were rushing to get the material in, knowing we were going to have a lot of time off before the exams in January.
The next break was Thanksgiving Break. Everyone was going home to their families. Like last year, I would sit here and try not to think of anything. I would pace, do extra school work, and read a lot. I felt the loneliest around this time. My friends were all gone, I didn't have a family, and I didn't know what to do with myself.
Apparently I wasn't the only one who had a bad break. When Brady got back, he was acting different. He seemed angry, hostile, and so unlike Brady. Brady was a level headed pre-med student who would party occasionally. Not this angry, jumpy, and rude person. The next few weeks were hard. Brady even dropped out of school. Everyone tried to help him, but they soon gave up. No one wanted to deal with this around Christmas and New Year's.
Christmas was a rough time for everyone. All of us were trying to stay positive and missed the old Brady. We tried not to think of him. Luis found a place to throw a Christmas party. He wanted to have fun all week and wanted me to have some Christmas fun.
The party was on December 20th, at an old warehouse. This was the first time an old warehouse meant a great party, and not a place to fight monsters. The place completely changed when I got there. Everything was draped in silver, white, and pale blue. And everyone seemed to have showed up. There was music, dancing, and of course drinking. I talked to my friends and got to meet some of their other friends. We partied until after midnight.
After midnight, we had another party. It was small and at Zach's place. There was a small Christmas tree and some candles. The room smelt like cookies. We sat quietly and passed around presents.
Emily got Zach a football jersey. He got her diamond earrings. Becky got her brother a shirt that said, 'I ain't stewpid.' He got her monopoly money and fake jewelry.
"Oh I see who gets the really stuff." She teased.
"Well. I am dating her. She deserves. And she didn't…"
Both went back and forth accusing each other of many funny things. Luis finally cut them off. Luis handed them both gifts. He got Becky neon pink knee high socks and Zach a free coffee gift card. They got him shot glasses and bracelet that said, 'No, Officer. It wasn't me.' We laughed at that.
I was surprised when they got me gifts. I got socks also, a pair of jeans, a baseball bat, and a flask. Thanks, Luis. I got Emily a hair pin with butterflies and fake diamonds. She was so happy, but I just got it at Walmart. I gave Becky some stage makeup. Zach laughed at that and I threw him his present. He was happy to see it was a book on football. Thanks, Goodwill.
After that, we all said our good nights and left. I went to bed thinking it was the best Christmas ever. I just missed Dean. And Brady. I hoped both were alright. I tried to forget about Dean and focus on things I could do. I could help Brady. I would help Brady.
All the way until the new semester I helped him. I tried to get him off the drugs, to stop partying, and to come back to school. He seemed to not care. It was the worst in February. Most the time, I had no idea was he was. I tried to reason with him.
"You sound just like Jessica." Brady slurred as I picked him up out of an alley.
"Who?" I asked.
"Another friend of mine. She is still trying to help me too." He snorted.
"She is?"
"Yeah, would you like to meet her?" He suggested, with a small smile.
"Sure. First, let's get you to your apartment."
"Whatever."
I got back to his apartment and helped him to the bed. I pulled off his boots and threw a blanket over him. I stared in disappointment. I was no closer to helping him than I was in Christmas. I didn't know how to help someone who did want help. Well, not someone on drugs.
Brady seemed to be doing a little better the next day. He said that I needed to get out more and wanted to introduce me to Jessica. I got a little nervous when he told me to dress nice. I guess he was going to set me up. I put on the jeans I got on Christmas, a clean button up shirt, and my usual tennis shoes. That was as nice as I could dress. I was still dirt poor.
We took his car, which was really expensive. He drove to other side of the campus. We parked and I looked around. I had done this before, as in going to a girl's place with them knowing I was coming. Brady told me not to be nervous and to lighten up. Easy for him to say.