Page 96 of Awakened in September (Sleepless November Saga 4)

Chapter Twenty Eight

Out of the very many things I pictured Kayleigh and I doing this summer, sending her to rehab was never among them. After calling her stepfather, he assured me that I did the right thing. He asked if I thought it was bad enough to where they should come pick her up now, but I said no. It would destroy her if she couldn’t finish out her freshman year. Luckily, he agreed with me and since then, we’ve been communicating almost daily as we both look for the best facility to send her to.

There have been a few times where she almost caught me. One of the rehabilitation centers called me back while she was with me and I practically had to tackle her to keep her from answering the phone. By the grace of God, she didn’t think too much of it. However, that could just be because she’s too high to realize anything is wrong – the same way she hasn’t noticed the change in me.

The anniversary of my parent’s fatal accident is coming up. No matter how many years pass, it never gets easier. All I can remember is the month of April being filled with one bad event after another – from being told my parents are never coming back, to having to attend their funeral, to being thrown into foster care until Heather and Dan could get me out and home with them.

Needless to say, this month is always a struggle. The only thing I want is for my girlfriend to hold me and tell me everything will be alright. Instead, she’s spending almost every night with Jade, getting higher than Mount Everest and ignoring everything else in the world – me included.

My phone vibrates on the desk in front of me, notifying me of a new text message.

Bianca: Hey. How are you today?

I sigh as I read it. I know she’s the last person I should be talking to but I can’t help it. She’s always known exactly what to say to make it all at least a little easier. Every year, she remembers that this month is hard for me, and every year, she sends me a text to let me know she’s there if I need her. It’s probably the only selfless thing she ever does.

Me: I’ve been better.

Thoughts of an absent Kayleigh flow through my mind. Yeah, I’ve definitely been better. A part of me wonders if I should just be talking to Brandon about it, but he always says the same thing and it never really helps. He’s great with giving advice on most things. This topic just isn’t one of them. I could also sit my girlfriend down and force her to listen. However, the idea of her blowing it off and going to get high instead has me shutting that plan down in an instant. I don’t know if I could handle that.

Bianca: I’m sorry.

Want to watch Shameless?

I chuckle and toss my computer onto my bed.

Me: Season 2 Episode 5?

Bianca: You got it.

HEADLIGHTS SHINING OUTSIDE MY window at nearly midnight catch my attention. I peek out the blinds to see Kayleigh pulling up in Dawson’s car. I thought she was ‘studying’ with Jade? I step onto the porch just as she’s climbing out of the passenger seat, with way too much energy for just getting off a cram session.

“Hi baby!” She gleams, kissing my cheek.

“Hey. Everything okay?”

She nods. “I was going to walk home but Dawson saw me and gave me a ride.”

“Well good. You shouldn’t be walking home this late at night anyway.” I notice Dawson has since gotten out of his car and is leaning against it. “Why don’t you go inside and I’ll meet you in there?”

Judging by the way her eyes are glazed over, she’s too drugged up to think anything of it. She does as I ask and I walk over to Dawson, seeing him frown as soon as I’m close enough. He’s the only other person who knows about her drug addiction, apart from Jade and Jordan. I had told him when Kayleigh’s step-dad asked me to make sure someone has an eye on her at all times – for in case she overdoses. We’ve done the best we can but there are only so many places we can follow her.

“Where was she?”

He keeps his eyes on the ground. “Next to the creek. She had cocaine residue on her nose. Gave me some excuse about Jade doing her make up.”

I look up at the sky to keep the tears at bay. “She’s getting sloppy about it.”

“It’s getting worse.”

“Yeah. I know.”

We stand there in a painful silence as we realize what’s becoming of the girl who is so important to the both of us. I can’t help but wonder if this is my fault. Everything was great until that party where she found me with someone else. After that, it all went to shit.

“How’s everything going with finding a rehab?”

“Good. We settled on Meadows Edge Recovery Center in North Kingston.” I tell him. “It’s only 20 minutes from her house and has great reviews. John sent the payment yesterday, I believe.”

He nods. “Okay, good. Does she have any idea?”

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