Page 100 of Magic or Madness

“Anyways, when I was thirteen, the oldest kid at the foster home would get into trouble and blame it on me. I endured months of beatings and hunger strikes to correct my behavior, as they put it, but eventually, I was put into a home for girls only, labeled as a troublemaker, and outcasted. I ran away when I was fifteen, and I met a man online who wanted to take care of me. He was my dream come true, until I realized he wanted to pay off his gambling debts with my body, which lasted for three years. Although it was the most luxurious life, and he gave me everything I wanted, I had to get away. Live my life for me. I wasthree days free when I met you guys at the club, and I’ve never been happier,” she concludes, taking a big sip from her glass, sighing deeply like a weight has been lifted after sharing.

I never knew what Pepper went through, and although I thought she didn’t fit in at first, she belongs here. Her past, strength, and determination put her on the path of the right people, and we’ll take care of her from now on.

She’s crying, and I watch as Fallon and Cami flank to her side, Lex nodding at me as I give him my most sympathetic smile.

“Pepper, can I ask you something?” Oliver asks, and she nods, that sweet smile immediately coming into focus even with tears streaming down her face.

“How old were you, when you ran away from him?”

“I’m eighteen, Oliver. Just barely, but I’ve lived many lives, and I know I don’t exactly match everyone’s grungy vibes here, but I knew from the second I met you all that this is where I was meant to be. I’m just like you all, even if I haven’t shared my past until now. Alexander knew that once I did, you guys would understand me a little better. I don’t let what I’ve been through bring me down,” she says quietly, the strength evident in her voice.

“You’re strong as hell, Pepper. I wouldn’t have guessed, but it just shows how bright your light shines, even with all you’ve been through,” I offer, and she smiles, thanking me for being so kind.

“We’re all fucked in the head a little, aren’t we?” Fallon jokes, her cheeks flushing now that she’s had a few drinks.

Everyone laughs, and Oliver takes a moment to refill our drinks and order food as no one is capable of driving at this point. We sit around this couch for hours, sharing stories and getting wasted beyond our usual limits. After a while, Maxpasses out, and we let him sleep it off rather than drown in the thoughts of his family.

I’m just glad the eight of us were able to come together, making this day slightly less painful for Max.

Fallon, Cami, Pepper, and Oliver are singing karaoke, screaming at the top of their lungs as the music flows through the speakers, and I can’t help but laugh at how terrible they all are.

I scan the room, looking around at these people, and I’m in awe of how in just a few short months we’ve become a family. We stick together through the hardships, and even Journey has earned a little of my respect back, as he’s kept his distance from Fallon.

I decide to wander off on my own, heading up to the roof for some peace and quiet, desperate for a moment or two of clarity after the heaviness from this afternoon.

The air is chilly, but the cold that nips at my skin is refreshing, and the stars are shining down, offering a little light in the darkness.

I can see my breath, but when I dangle my legs over the edge of the building, I feel content, looking at the trees and houses in the distance.

I tip my head back, letting the breeze dance over my skin, and blow through my hair. Admittedly, I’m a little drunk, something that rarely happens, but I’m actually enjoying myself.

Alcohol usually makes me sad, bringing up memories that I’d rather forget, but tonight I’m living in the moment, and it feels refreshing.

Just as I’m about to head inside the door creaks open, and Fallon stumbles toward me.

“Ozzy, why are you up here all alone?” She giggles to herself, and I jump up to steady her by the arm, not wanting her to fall off the side of the building.

“Just needed a quiet minute, Bambi. Are you okay?”

“I want you, you disappeared,” she whines, rubbing her hand on my chest and through my slightly grown out facial hair.

“I’m here, want to sit?” I lead her back to where I was sitting, draping an arm over her shoulder, and keeping her securely against my body while we let our legs hang over the edge.

She shivers, only coming out here in a t-shirt and sweatpants, so I wrap my jacket over her shoulders and place a kiss on her cheek.

“The stars are so pretty.” She points to a cluster of them off to our right.

“Any random star facts for me,my beautiful girl?”

“No, not really. That’s the North star, though, it shines brighter than all the rest,” she says softly, her eyes glued to the sky.

“Thank you for today. Max really needed us to rally around him,” I whisper, tucking the stray hairs from her eyes behind her ear.

She sighs, turning to face me with a look of sadness in her eyes. It’s similar to the turmoil I saw in her the first night we spent together, and I hate when things weigh on her so heavily. A small part of me wishes I could take away all her pain, stacking it on top of my own just so she wouldn’t feel it anymore, or get that devastating look in her eye.

“I wanted to tell my story, and help Cami, Pepper, and Max from feeling so down, but I couldn’t. I felt so cowardly, compared to them, but every time there was silence I tried to speak, and the words just wouldn’t come.” She closes her eyes, leaning into me a little more, and wrapping her arm around me.

“You don’t have to share your past with anyone, and it doesn’t make you less than everyone else for keeping it inside. You told me, and that’s more than enough,” I reassure her, but it doesn’t seem to help.

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