AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I couldn’t do this on my own, so instead of going home, I turned the corner, and changed my direction again.
The first day I got here, I looked up where the closest meetings were taking place and imagined my surprise when I found out it was just a few streets away from where I live. I wanted to believe I wouldn’t need to go, that I’m better than that, stronger, but today showed me just how fucking wrong I am.
The church comes into view soon enough. A lump forms in my throat the closer I get to it. I’m all sweaty, and in my hurry, I forgot to put on my ball cap.
What if somebody recognizes me? What if somebody snaps a photo and sells it to the reporters? What—
Get a grip,I chastise myself, shoving down those thoughts.You need this.
I know I need this. That’s why I run my hand over my face, wiping the sweat away before letting out a shaky breath and head for the door. It takes me a few minutes to find my way, but I slip into the right room just as the meeting is starting.
A few people turn my way, some of them giving me curious glances, but for the most part, they continue chatting among themselves.
I slip into one of the chairs, nervously looking around. I’ve never been to a meeting, not outside of the rehab center. I don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it. Everybody just seemed so… normal.
It was just a group of random people, all variety of ages, multiple statures, different hair, and skin color.
All with one common thing between us.
Addiction.
I clasp my hands together, snapping my fingers nervously, just as an older guy comes into the room, making the chatter die as everybody turns their attention to him.
“Good evening, everybody,” the guy says, taking in the room. His eyes pause on me for a heartbeat. “It’s always nice to see so many faces here—some familiar, some new. If you want to talk, we’re always more than happy to listen, but if you just want to sit here and listen, that’s fine too. Do we have somebody who’d like to start the meeting today?”
I can do this.
I don’t have to talk; but I have to be here.
I can do that. I can sit here and listen until my thoughts turn into a dull echo in the back of my mind.
The chair scrapes against the floor as a woman gets to her feet, but it’s not her who has my attention. It’s the guy sitting next to her, his eyes on me, watching me intently.
Unease prickles up my spine as I try to figure out why this guy looks familiar. There is nothing distinctive about him. He looks like any other guy. Tall, built, a light scruff dusting his jaw. He sits relaxed in his chair, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans.
And not just any black hoodie.
Blairwood’s.
Fuck me.
And then it hits me from where I know him.
He’s Birdy’s friend. It’s the same dude that was with Penelope when I saw her in the cafeteria, the one dating her friend. Preston? No, Prescott.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I avert my gaze, my eyes going for the door, the need to jump to my feet and run from here overwhelming, but even I know I can’t do that. So instead, I sit in my chair, my leg nervously bouncing as I pretend to listen to people talk when in reality, I’m just waiting for the moment the meeting is over so I can get the hell out of there.
And that’s exactly what I do. Once the meeting has concluded, after what feels like forever, I jump to my feet and get the fuck out of there.
But I barely step out of the building when I hear the sound of pounding feet behind me.
“Bash! Wait!”
My back stiffens at the sound of my name. The need to get the hell out of there is pushing me to move faster.
Fuck.
