Option Chosen

As promised, this is the option I went with for the story I posted about in my last entry:

   "Hey, so, I don’t think I’m going out tonight,” he texted.

                “Oh? Why?”

                “Just not feeling it.” I knew he was going through a rough patch.

                “Okay. Well you want me to come over? Just chill. Night in?”

                “No. Go out.” I wasn’t about to leave him sitting at home, alone, moping. I got undressed and threw on a tee and baggy jeans; I didn’t need a dress for a movie night. I washed my face to rid myself of the mask I’d drawn on earlier and replaced in with a natural look. O grabbed my leather jacket and keys and put on my worm- out sneakers.

                On my way to campus I stopped and grabbed chips, dip and pop. When I got off the bus in front of the library it had started to rain, just a light drizzle. I walked quickly to Dante’s Building. When I got to his floor the door was propped open so I let myself in. I walked down the hall to his room and knocked on the door.

                When he opened it there was something wrong. He didn’t say anything, his jaw dropped and he kept the door mostly closed. “Hey,” he said finally, uncertainly.

“Hi.”

“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be out at the club?”

“I figured you were here moping so I thought I grabbed some snacks and came over.” I pushed the door open to walk in. It was my turn for a jaw dropping experience. The room was dark, and then lightning flashed and illuminated what was on the table: a needle, a spoon, an elastic and a small bag.

I dropped the bag. I looked back at Dante who just stood there, watching and waiting for my reaction. I walked over to a chair and sat abruptly. I put my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. He approached me slowly, cautiously. He stretched out his hand to put it on my shoulder.

“No!” I said. He recoiled and retreated. There was another moment of silence.

“Deirdre?” he said in a quiet voice. “Deirdre, can you say something?” I looked up. He was sitting across the room, on the floor, in a corner, pulling his knees to his chest.

“Honestly Dante, I’m not sure what to say.” He went to speak but I shushed him. “I mean, I’m not sure what to say or what to feel. I’m confused. I’m scared. I’m worried. I don’t know why you’d share everything else with me but keep this a secret. I don’t know if I should get out now before I get pulled into it. I don’t know if I should try to help. Would you even accept my help? I really don’t know what to say, so how about you say something?”

“Umm, I—" he looked up with tears in his eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just as confused and scared and worried as you are. I’m confused as to why you are still here. I’m scared that I’m going to take this too far. I’m worried that I’m going to drag you down or lose you. But Deirdre, if you’re willing to stay and you’re willing to help, I’ll take all the help I can get. I’ve gotten myself into some bad shit. Its—" I was sobbing now, his head on his knees. “It’s really bad, Deirdre” he said, muffled.

I got up and went to sit beside him against the wall. I put my arm around him. He laid his head on my shoulder, crying. I wiped the tears from his face.

“Of course I’ll help. You know that. I’m just shocked and I never thought, after all you’ve told me, that there was anything you’d hide from me.”
                His sobbing had ceased. He looked up to me, his eyes bloodshot and glossy. “Deirdre, I was too ashamed. I’ve somewhat come to terms with everything else. But this—" he closed his eyes, straining not to cry, straining to talk. “This is different. I know that its bad but I’m in too deep. I’m ashamed that I ever let myself fall prey to the drugs. My mind was at a different place then and even though it’s different now I can’t get away.”

I held him tight against my chest, like you would a child. “You’ve already taken a huge step tonight. You’ve admitted you have a problem and you’re seeking help. And I promise I’m going to help you. Anything you need, any time.”

 

Please leave comments below on what you think. your thoughts mean the world to me! thanks in advance :)