Breaking the Habit:
Disclaims: All rights belong to their rightful owners.
|Chapter Three|
Walking down the hallways of Coolsville High must of have been one of the few things that Shaggy hated about coming to school. Usually Fred and Daphne were walking around the school, holding hands and showing public displays of affection. Velma was in the library very early to talk with the librarian or read a few novels. Before school started, Shaggy would go under the bleachers at the football field to take a few hits. No one was really at school in the morning, or more so at the football field.
This was the only time Shaggy could smoke, either in the morning, during lunch, or after school.
But lately, people were constantly interrupting Shaggy when he was about to smoke. Shaggy was awfully having a lot of problems at school, he was often stressed out. Especially since it was his last year in high school. But, instead of enjoying his senior year, he was having to deal with taking all the missed classes he was suppose to take in the past three years. Shaggy didn't have all of his credits unfortunately, and now he was having to deal with getting all of his shit together at the last minute.
Shaggy thought of dropping out of high school so many times, but he knew his parents would kick him out of the house. Shaggy didn't want that to happen, he knew that alone with the thought of his parents finding out that he smokes pot, he knew that for sure they would disown him. Thanks to Velma, at least he wasn't completely falling apart in school.
Shaggy had study hall with Velma, so he'd meet up with her and she would help him with the work plus studying for the exams. Shaggy liked spending time with Velma, he loved the fact that she was so smart and so kind to help him with the work even if there is slight tension from what had happened two years ago during summer school.
Shaggy still remembers the day when they had kissed, he thinks of the kiss every once in a while. When Velma helps him with his work from his past classes, he can't help but stare at her lips. Velma's lips were tempting and very appealing for Shaggy, sometimes he had the urge to kiss her just to see how she'd react but he didn't have the guts to do it for he knew that she probably wouldn't like it...or would she?
Velma was gonna help Shaggy out with his past assignments again today, he was anticipating to be in her presence. Without Velma, he'd be so lost right now even though he has already ended up becoming a lost cause.
Shaggy closes his eyes, letting the drug intoxicate his mind and body. Shaggy gets to class and sits down in his desk. Once again, he was late to his fourth period, he'd had taken another hit during lunch break. The teacher, Mr. Hayes, a tall intelligent man in his late 50's had once again gotten after Shaggy for getting late. However, this teacher noticed Shaggy's behavior. Shaggy looked too calm, his eyes were bloodshot, and the young boy could barely even walk.
Mr. Hayes hadn't said anything, at least not yet, he didn't want to cause a big scene because Mr. Hayes had always thought Shaggy was a nice kid. Shaggy didn't disturb his class like some of his other students, the boy was often quiet and to himself throughout class.
Shaggy tried focusing as much as he could, but the room was spinning, he even started hallucinating a bit. The people in the class gave Shaggy a stare, they could smell the stench coming from Shaggy's clothes. They had known that Shaggy smoked, but some hadn't said anything even though there was rumors circulating outside of the hallways after the class period had ended.
Throughout the class period, Shaggy just kept his head down, he fell asleep during class. When the bell rang and everyone left, Mr. Hayes walked over to Shaggy's desk and shook Shaggy's shoulder gently. "Norville Rogers." said Mr. Hayes, with a serious tone. Shaggy brought his head up slowly, the high was slowly going away already but it still lingered.
Shaggy sleepily wiped the small drool from the corner of his mouth, he moved his hair away from his eyes, "Yes...Mr. Hayes?"
"Let's be serious here, and you better say the truth, did you take anything before you came into my class?" asked Mr. Hayes seriously, he crossed his arms to his chest, looking at Shaggy's every move.
His brown eyes widen when he heard Mr. Hayes ask him that, Shaggy quickly stood up grabbing his backpack and his things. "Oh...like, what do you mean?" asked Shaggy.
"You know what I mean, Norville," said Mr. Hayes, "I just want you to be honest with me, are you doing drugs?" Shaggy shivered slightly, he shifted his eyes, not wanting to look into the teacher's eyes. With a whisper, Shaggy said, "Please, don't tell anyone."
Mr. Hayes frown, taking in Shaggy's appearance, the boy's eyes were hollow and held sadness. Maybe a bit of regret. Mr. Hayes knew that he could lose his job if he didn't take Shaggy to the office right now. But the teacher spared his student and began a lecture instead.
"Norville, or may I call you Shaggy yes?" asked Mr. Hayes, Shaggy gave the teacher a nod. "Next time you walk into my class half an hour late, coming intoxicated as you were today, I'm going to have to take you to the office." Shaggy bit his lip nervously, "You wouldn't want that would you?" asked Mr. Hayes.
"No, sir." replied Shaggy. Mr. Hayes looked at Shaggy for a little longer before giving out a sigh and finally saying, "Get to class, wouldn't want to get late to the next one would you?" Mr. Hayes started walking over to his own desk. Shaggy started walking towards the door, "Yeah, well, see you tomorrow Mr. Hayes." replied Shaggy before leaving out the door.
Mr. Hayes watched Shaggy leave his class, he shrugged and sat down, looking at the stack of papers he was going to have to grade for the next hour since it was his planning period.
Poor boy, so young yet damaged.