Into My Own

Nineteen

I stayed Tuesday and Wedneday nights at Tommy's house as well. Torrin had convinced a different friend to let him stay so things were less awkward at Tommy's. Dad had gone as far as to call me at work but I'd told him I was busy and hung up.

Thursday was the first night I'd gone home. Seeing as I'd hung out with Landon until ten, I didn't really have to deal with my parents. I was pretty sure dad had made my mother quit her drinking binge but it was way smarter to be on the safe side and avoid both of them.

I wasn't getting any better sleep in my own bed than I was at Tommy's house so by the time Friday rolled around I was a literal zombie.

"Coda, you're really starting to worry me." Oakley frowned, chewing on her lip.

"Why." I was too tired to even make it sound like a question. I already knew the answer.

"You barely eat, you look like hell, you don't even talk..." She looked ready to cry.

I simply shrugged my shoulders.

"Come here." Her face hardened.

I obediently followed her to the back room and watched as she pulled out a scale.

"Get on."

I gave her a weird look. "Why?"

"Because you look too dang thin! I want to know how much weight you've lost."

"Why? It doesn't matter." I argued lamely.

"Do it." She demanded.

I slowly followed her orders, closing my eyes as I got on.

"102?!" Oakley screamed. At that, my eyelids popped open.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah! Look at it!" She continued yelling.

She was telling the truth. I had never meant to lose weight. In all honesty, I'd been telling Tommy and Charlie that I'd grabbed dinner in town so I didn't have to eat their food. On top of that, I felt sick constantly so food was completely unappealing.

"I used to be 120..." I mumbled.

"Coda!" She looked horrified. "What the hell happened to you?"

"I'm just not hungry lately. I'm not anorexic or anything!" I defended.

"Good. But that's still not healthy! Why don't you go to a doctor?"

"Because there's not really anything wrong with me. I'm just not hungry."

"Your jeans barely stay up," she commented in a sad voice.

This was true. I'd had to start wearing a belt.

"I'm fine," I said, brushing her concern off. "We have work to do."

She looked hurt, but didn't protest as we walked back into the main room.

Conversation between us was a bit stilted.

Because it was 4th of July weekend, we closed up at three.

Knowing that mom was at work I actually went straight home.

I had just taken a shower and was about to head back to my room when I detected a loud banging on the front door.

My wet hair stuck to my t-shirt as I languidly moved down the steps.

I opened it only to find Oakley standing there, armed with a good sized bag and a huge grin.

"Hey stranger," she giggled.

"Nice of you to come and visit," I commented, a small smile gracing my face.

"Can I come in?" She asked, bouncing excitedly on her toes.

"Uh, sure." I stepped aside.

"Sooo, I have an idea!" She sang.

"Which is?" I prompted, sounding as unexcited as possible.

"We're going to the rodeo!" She shouted.

I looked at her as if she was insane. "What?"

"C'mon! It's the Fourth of July and Border Days is running full swing!"

"Y'know, I kinda had plans tonight..." I began.

"Holing up in your room doesn't count as plans," she informed me.

"Who says that's what I'm gonna do?" I defied.

"Charlie. Now let's go. You're gonna get dressed and have a good time!"

"Oakley, I don't want to go anywhere," I whined.

"You need to get out. I don't know what broke you, but I'm gonna fix you. Like, I know the whole thing with Ryker and the pictures seriously sucked but he's gone now. And I don't know if something else happened, but I love you either way."

"Thanks." I sighed.

"So, rodeo?" She asked, clapping her hands.

"Why not," I decided, genuinely smiling for the first time in weeks.

"Yay!" She squealed, grabbing my hand.

No more than thirty seconds later I was being plopped down in my room. Oakley easily worked her way around my cosmetic station, blow drying and then curling my hair. She even applied enough makeup to mask the dark circles that we're currently giving me a raccoon-like appearance.

She then went to my small closet and yanked out a pair of sparkly jeans along with a blue tank top.

"Boots?"

I nodded.

"Get dressed. We gotta go."

I followed her orders and quickly put on my assigned outfit.

"Feel better?" She asked.

"Kinda," I grinned.

"Listen, I want you to do something for me."

I raised my eyebrows.

"Just have fun! Forget about whatever's bothering you and enjoy the night out! It's the Fourth of July for Pete's sake!"

"Deal," I grinned.

"Shall we?" She asked, gracefully taking my arm.

"We shall."