"Is something on your mind, Mr. Fenton?" Lancer asked. I was shaking and nervousness made in hard to breathe. "...uh, yeah...there is." I admitted.
Lancer placed his hand on my shoulder. "If something is bothering you, please let me know. We can make up work some other time." Lancer said. I sighed.
"...well, I'm ready for step five of the treatment process." I admitted. Lancer smiled. "Congratulations!" He exclaimed. "I don't think I'm ready for it. What they are asking me to do...its too soon." I added. Lancer's smile dropped a bit but his gazed softened. "...what is it?"
"You have to spend a night and day in a room with what you are addicted to," I pointed to the paper in front of me, "I have to write it down now...I do it tonight." I sighed, rubbing my temples with my fingers.
"How long have you been clean, Mr. Fenton?" He asked. I sighed. "About a week? It's too soon. I could crack under pressure." I said. Lancer frowned. "...you have to do this? No choice?" I shook my head.
Lancer sighed and patted my back. "You'll be fine. No lessons today...okay? Go get prepared." Lancer said, packing up all the stuff.
"...After step five, I get to go back to school." I said. Lancer smiled. "Then I'll be seeing you at school. Is step five the final step?" He asked. I shook my head. "Oh no. Theres two more."
"Yes, Mr. Fenton. Two more. I need your addiction list please." Harris said suddenly, making me jump. I glared. "Jeez, Harris." I handed him the list. His eyes widened a bit.
"Thats...you were, never mind. I'll pick you up in an hour." He said, nodding his head and gripping the paper. I looked down at the ground, nervousness coming back full force.
"Mr. Fenton, please come down to my office! Thank you!" The intercom with Sheila's voice rang out. I sighed, grabbing up all the work in my backpack and my phone and headed up to the offices. I saw Sam's familiar car in the parking lot and I smiled, walking faster. Tucker and Sam were sitting in the office, Sheila explaining something to them excitedly, gesturing wildly with her hands.
I opened the door, announcing my arrival, and Sam was already up, hugging me tightly. "Hey dude!" Tucker said, but I didn't reply, hugging Sam back with equally as much force. "Okay, ignore Tucker." Tucker said dismissively, a small smile on his face.
"Now, Mr. Fenton. Step five is going to happen in two hours. Sam and Tucker will be following you around the facility. You can introduce them to your friends if you would like. You will eat dinner and then go to building A, where Step five will be held. I'll see you there." Sheila smiled creepily and dismissed us. "Introduce us to your friends? Does she think you are mentally challenged?" Tucker joked. I shrugged, not saying much. Sam looked at me worriedly, but let it go as soon as we got to the lounge. "Hey Jack!" I called, rushing over and jumping on top of him, only doing so because I saw the brunette next to him.
"...Daniel!" Jack snapped. The brunette was giggling next to him, their hands laced together. "Hello. I am Danny." I greeted, shaking his unoccupied hand, while looking at him upside down.
"Hayden. Hayden Haddock the third." Hayden greeted, still laughing. "Jack has told me a lot about you."
"Bad things, I'm sure." I glared playfully at Jack, finally hearing Sam and Tucker's laughter from across the room.
"Oh right! Jack, Hayden, this is Sam and Tucker. My best friends." I smiled warmly at them as they walked over. "Ah…" Jack looked thoughtful before smirking at me.
"Sam! Danny has a crush on you!" Jack yelled loudly, Tucker bursting into laughter, Hayden hitting Jack on the back of the head, and Sam and I blushing vividly.
"Haha, v-very f-funny." I stuttered. I hadn't checked the message yet, even though it was there. I've seen it. Its a fucking paragraph long.
"Man, Jack! You are a riot!" Tucker laughed. Sam hit him, still blushing hard. We sat on the couch and talked for awhile, but my eyes never left Sam. Sam was talking and laughing with everyone, and it's been awhile since we've had moments like this. Tucker and Jack had hit it off, while Hayden and I sat quietly to the side.
"...So do you?" Hayden asked me quietly.
"Do I what?" I replied, watching Sam punch Jack, who was saying something suggestive.
"Have a crush on her." He reiterated.
"...yeah. I think it do." I smiled fondly.
…
"He's going to be alone. In a room full of his vices?" Sam asked angrily. Sheila nodded, handing me a bag of activities. "Don't worry. He can do it."
"Hey! He's going through withdrawal!" Sam countered angrily. Sheila tsked. "I'm sorry, Ms. Manson, but if he's going to do this, he's going to have to do it alone." Sheila said, pushing me gently into the room. "You are here to make sure he doesn't. You will be able to enter the room every other hour." Sheila said. I gulped, the door slowly opening it and me stepping inside.
I was greeted with a large, white room with a couch, tv, bed, fridge, and a table in the center. On the table was alcohol, coke, and a knife. I gulped, already feeling the itch under my skin by seeing that blade.
I looked toward the window where my friends were, looking at my watch. It would be a whole hour till they could come in. I broke into a nervous sweat, swallowing loudly. I set down the bag and my backpack, walking over to the couch. I passed the table, pausing nervously at it, before continuing walking. "Congratulations. Step 6 has been completed." A robotic voice said.
I jumped nervously, deciding to watch something on TV. I got out my phone and texted Jack.
Snowflake [sent] Step five is hard. Really hard. I don't know if I can do it.
Snowflake [rec] hayden and i believe in you, nerd.
I gulped, not feeling any less nervous despite Jack's kind words.
Snowflake [rec] ill come tomorrow morning and bring a hershey bar or something.
Snowflake [sent] only if you want to.
Snowflake [rec] i can handle it. im scheduled for step five right after you :D
Snowflake [sent] grats. imma go.
Snowflake [rec] bye :D
I chuckled slightly at Jack before turning my attention to the door. There was a button and a speaker right next to it, so I walked over, turning my gaze from the table in the middle in the room. "Sam? Tucker? I want you guys in here. I need help. I can't do this by myself." I said into it.
"Step seven complete! Allowing friends into the room." The intercom screeched. I breathed a sigh of relief. Sam and Tucker jogged into the room, taking me into their arms.
"Come on, dude. I've got Guardians of the Galaxy?" Tucker smiled sheepishly. I nodded, looking warily at the table in front of me.
We watched the movie, but my eyes were mostly on Sam, who was texting on her phone. My brow furrowed and I nudged Tucker. Tucker slapped me on the leg and shushed me, making me look at him in disbelief. I scoffed and got out my own phone.
Tucker [sent] who is sam txting, you little shit
Tucker felt his phone vibrate, and he glared at me after reading the text. He shrugged, nudging Sam.
"Who you textin?" Tucker asked. Sam chuckled a bit. "Ethan."
My heart drop, but I let a mask come over my face. "Who's Ethan?" I smirked, raising my eyebrow. She smiled gently. "My boyfriend."
I tried not to let my hurt show on my face, so I looked away. I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Then I wiped my face clean of emotion.
I didn't even want a hit anymore. I just wanted out of this room and away from her. Somewhere I could express my emotions in private. I checked my clock. Eight. I sighed. My eyes were burning, but I refused to cry. I bit my lip and passed it off as, sorry spoilers, I was sad that Groot died.
"Dude? Are you okay?" Tucker said.
I nodded. "It's just We are Groot. Oh my god." I sniffed. Tucker laughed, patting me on the back. "It's okay, we've all cried at Groot." Tucker reassured.
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't cry at Groot." Sam added. "Because you are heartless." Me and Tucker said together, Tucker's voice joking and mine not.
"I'm going to go. Tucker, you coming? I'm your ride!" Sam smiled. Tucker sighed. "Can you be alone?" Tucker asked me. I smiled weakly. "I'll be fine. See you guys tomorrow?" I asked.
"See you tomorrow." Tucker said, leaving the room with Sam close behind. I stared at the blank TV screen for a bit until I felt my resolve crumbling. I-I let my walls down and let her in, and she's dating this-this Ethan?!
I felt my anger growing inside me, my attention solely on the table in front of me. I walked toward it, looking at the gleaming blade on it. I went to grab it, but instead retracted my hand, falling to the ground in sheer depression.
I'm not a weak person! I shouldn't cry like this.
Even as I told myself this, I felt my tears streaming down my face.
…
I woke up to a blaring alarm. "Congrats! One night has been survived without temptation! At five o'clock today, you will be able to leave the room and head to your house." Sheila's voice was amplified throughout the room.
I glared at the intercom, checking my phone. It was already ten o'clock, so I didn't have that much longer to wait.
Snowflake [rec] night one bad?
Sam [rec] thank you for not freaking out about ethan. I appreciate it. tucker was furious for some reason
Tucker [rec] ...are you okay?
7893456543 [rec] hi this is hayden. i wanted to ask if, after you got out, if you would still be jacks friend? he cares about you...and i dont want you to forget about him.
I sighed at the text messages. Sam didn't know that I was upset about Ethan (dick), Tucker knew I was upset, the first night was terrible, and of course I'm going to be Jack's friend still. Jeez.
Snowflake [sent] it is when you feel like your heart has been ripped out, but otherwise you should be fine. hopefully hayden doesn't break your heart like sam did mine.
Tucker [sent] nope.
Hayden Haddock [sent] of course i am.
Snowflake [rec] I'm on my way.
I smiled faintly as I heard arguing in the hallway. "Sam I do not think you understand that I want to see him." I heard Jack's voice through the door.
"I'm his best friend Jack! You do not get to see him before I do!" Sam said selfishly.
Snowflake [sent] show her this. Sam, I do not want to see you today. I just need guy time! (:
"SEE! He wants guy time!" I heard Jack exclaim. I giggled as the door open and a red faced Jack came into the room. "Yeah, this won't be so bad." Jack shrugged.
"I'm surprised that Sheila even let you in." I grinned. Jack laughed.
"I said that you needed me and she was all for it. I think that she is counting this as my time in step five." Jack explained.
"Do you have to stay the night?" I asked. "Yeah. Sheila told me it was a big jump. Hayden will be with me though." Jack shrugged. I nodded.
"...So tell me. Are you okay?" Jack asked. I shook my head.
"Sam has a boyfriend. Ethan." I spat. Jack nodded in shock. "She looked totally into you though?" Jack asked in confusion. I shrugged.
"Guess it was just because I'm like a brother to her." I said, pulling my knees to my chest.
"What's not to love about you?" Jack asked sudden and loud. I looked up, raising my eyebrow.
"What?"
"Look, chicks, and guys to be honest, dig the 'I'm six feet tall' thing." Jack started. I gave him a look.
"What?" I repeated.
"Also! Black hair and blue eyes? Thats like adorable." Jack continued.
"Seriously what are you talking about?"
"Then you have this punk vibe that makes you seriously attractive, and you have experience. Come on. I won't lie. If you were gay and I was single, I'd tap that." Jack said.
"What the actual…?"
"And, you have a sensitive side, and a bad boy vibe thats like, hot."
"...?"
"So there is no possible way that she shouldn't be jumping your bones." Jack winked.
I just looked at him, a shocked and confused expression on my face.
"What the fuck Jack?" I laughed.
Jack shrugged. "Look. I'm a gay male. I find you attractive. I won't go for you though cause you are like a good friend of mine and straight and I have a boyfriend." Jack explained.
"...Good to know?" I questioned. Jack nodded.
"Don't tell Hayden though. I love brown hair and green eyes." Jack swooned.
"Great."
"But Black hair and bl-"
"What the hell did I walk into?" Hayden said from the doorway, and amused smile adorning his face. Jack blushed.
"Jack was just telling me if I was gay and he was single that he'd tap me and I don't know how that works." I said.
"...Well...I-Great." Hayden blushed. I looked between the two of them. Jack was rubbing his neck awkwardly, trying to form a sentence and Hayden was just standing there, then I noticed something.
"...Where's your leg?" I asked. Jack stopped and gaped at me. Hayden burst into hysterical laughter. "whAT?" I asked. Jack laughed too.
"...You go from gay sex to hey where is that dudes leg." Jack giggled. I blushed.
"I didn't go on the topic of gay sex." I said defensively.
"Yeah you did." Hayden laughed. "It was an incident at an animal shelter. I was rescuing my huge ass wolf dog thing from the pound and it...collapsed on top of me. Lost my foot, not my leg my foot, and my dog lost his leg too. We are a matching pair." Hayden explained. I blushed and nodded, putting my hands over my eyes.
I hadn't remembered relieving my frustration in a way that was destroying myself. Talking to Hayden and Jack (where they explained the embarrassing details of something I didn't want to know about) let me forget about Sam in a healthy way.
I liked remembering. It made me human.
…
"All set?" Sam asked, putting my bag in her trunk. I nodded, looking to Hayden and Jack, who had gotten to come out of the room to say goodbye. "I'll miss you guys." I said. Jack threw his arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. "Skype!" Hayden chipped in. I nodded.
"Be careful, sweetie." Sheila said from next to us.
"If you need anything, call me." Jack said. I nodded. "Thanks buddy." I replied. Jack punched me in the shoulder and walked off with Hayden rushing off with him, his prosthesis hitting the ground with a clack.
"Alright, let's go!" Tucker said excitedly. I gulped. I get the afternoon with my best friends, a day to myself, and then I have to return to school on Monday.
Lancer and I had decided to continue our private study sessions. All in all, I didn't know what to expect from school the following week. It was coming faster than expected and I didn't know if I was ready for it.
I had to be ready for it.
Sam drove quickly to her house, Tucker and I clawing the back seat as if it was my dad driving.'
I started when I thought of my dad. Would he let me come home? What about the ghost situation?
Sam pulled into her driveway, quickly getting out of the car and running into her house. There was a car parked on the curb. I glared.
"Of course she would bring him to her house the day I come home." I grumbled. Tucker sighed and patted my back. "It'll be fine dude." Tucker said reassuringly. I nodded.
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, taking a deep breath. "I wonder if he's going to be a jackass." I mumbled. Tucker laughed. "Probably. She's into guys like that." Tucker nodded.
I rolled my eyes and walked into the house. Sam was pinned up against the wall, furiously making out with some tall guy in a blue sweater and skinny jeans with Sperrys. Sperrys? Jeez, didn't know Sam went for the pretty boy type.
I cleared my throat, staring at them. Sam giggled. "This is Ethan. Ethan, this is my best friend Danny." She said breathlessly. I nodded, holding out my hand. Ethan smiled confidently. "Hello." He shook my hand.
Wow, what a grip. He and Sam went into the living room, sitting in front of the TV that acted like a mirror. I snapped a quick picture of the guy and ran up into the room Sam had set up into mine, right across the hall from hers.
Snowflake; dude-with-one-leg(; [sent] -attachment- this is ethan….what
Snowflake [rec] damn. hes attractive. Hayden isn't he attractive?
dude-with-one-leg(; [rec] yeah hes pretty attractive.
Snowflake; dude-with-one-leg(; [sent] true but why
Snowflake [rec] idk man. go eat something. clear your head of everything i guess
dude-with-one-leg(; [rec] yeah. jack you should follow his lead.
Snowflake [rec] :3 love you.
dude-with-one-leg(; [rec] same.
Snowflake; dude-with-one-leg(; [sent] love you too jack.
Snowflake [rec] haTE
I laughed at them and put away my phone. I looked at the door longingly, wishing Sam would break up with pretty faced boy and come up here and love me.
I frowned, deciding to follow Jack's lead and get some food. I grabbed my wallet that still had a shit ton of money in it and headed to the Nasty Burger.
"I'm going to Nasty Burger. Wanna come?" I shouted. "SURE!" Sam yelled from the couch, leaping up from Ethan's arms and grabbing his hand. "You wanna come babe?" Sam asked, smiling lovingly up at him. I gagged to myself.
"Sure! I could eat." He shrugged. Sam smiled at me and we walked into the street. "Actually, I'll meet you there. I wanna pick up my car." I said. Sam nodded.
"It's at your parents place." Sam said sheepishly. I sighed. "Okay, I'll see you in a bit, here. Order for me." I said, handing them a twenty. Sam nodded and smiled, Ethan dragging her away towards the restaurant.
I walked down the road to my parents house, listening to an explosion happen inside. I winced and knocked on the door, a soot covered mother appearing in front of me. "Danny…" She said shocked.
"Hi. Uh-I just wanted to pick up my car?" I said, rubbing the back of my neck nervously. She nodded in shock, gesturing for me to come in. I obliged and waited in the living room for her to find my keys.
"Jack! Where did you put Danny's car keys?" My mom shouted down. I heard the heavy footsteps of my father come up the stairs. "In the key bowl by the door, wh-" My dad stopped suddenly when he spotted me.
He glared suspiciously. "I thought you were at Other Ways?" He crossed his arms.
"Got out. If you wanna call Sheila, she can vouch, and also say that I am one of her most speedy patients ever. Mr. Lancer can vouch too. Sam and Tucker as well. I'm just gonna, ya know, take my car and leave!" I shouted nervously, running into the door.
"I SHOULD OPEN THE DOOR BEFORE I WALK! HAHA!" I yelled again, opening the door and closing it sharply, rubbing my head where I had hit it.
"Look! Fentonio!" Dash said from across the street. I sighed. I waved sarcastically before running into my car and starting it, putting it into reverse and backing out of the driveway.
"Wait!" Dash yelled angrily, but I was already driving away. I sighed in relief, putting on my seatbelt as a cop glared at me and motioned for me to do so.
I realized it was pointless to drive to the Nasty Burger, as it was five minutes away by foot, but I pulled in the parking lot and parked my car. I took a deep breath.
"Hey sorry." I said, sitting down with them. Sam smiled. "Why is your forehead red?" She asked.
"I ran into a door?" I questioned more than stated. Ethan laughed. "I feel."
As we ate, much to my dismay, I found out that Ethan made Sam happy.
I wish I were him.