Airplanes | Spruceworth 6.1 | Wattys2019

Chapter 17: Withdrawal

Chapter 17: Withdrawal

       I was starting to get frustrated as I searched through my school bag and my locker, trying to find the one thing I actually needed today. I actually couldn't find it and since I was feeling a lot more irritated recently, I couldn't help but slam my locker shut and drop my bag on the floor with a frustrated groan.

       Then I sighed and rested my head on my locker, wanting to repeatedly bang my head on it. 

       "Ollie?" Grant suddenly asked. "Are you okay?"

       "Nope."

       "Okay... So, do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

       "Basically everything."

       "You're going to have be more specific."

       I looked over at Grant. "Well, for starters, I'm trying to get sober and since I've relied on alcohol for so long, it's taking a toll on me physically and mentally. And I pretty much failed a test today. And I also forgot all my sheet music at home and we were told to bring it today for rehearsals."

       "We have time to go back to your place to pick it up," Grant said. "Do you know where it is?"

       "Yeah, I left it on the piano from when I was practicing yesterday," I said.

       "Okay, then we'll go get it," Grant said. "There's no reason to beat yourself up over it."

       I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "Sorry. I haven't been thinking straight lately. My mind has been all over the place."

       "I know the feeling," Grant said. "You'll get through it. And if you ever need anything, you know I'll be here. Which is exactly why I'll go home with you. That, and I don't want to wait in the auditorium by myself where my sister will constantly be glaring at me."

       "She's still mad at you?" I asked.

       "Yep," Grant said. "It will probably take her a long time to get over it but I honestly don't even care anymore." He bent down and picked up my backpack, zipping it close before handing it to me. "Come on, we should get going if we want to make it back on time. I know Ms. Parth doesn't really like tardiness."

       I took my bag from him and slung it over my shoulders before the two of us left the school to head to my house. We were going to have to be as fast as we could because I really didn't want to show up late.

       Unfortunately, grabbing the sheet music wouldn't be as easy as I thought it was because as soon as I got closer to my house, I saw my mom standing by the front door. "Mom?" I asked. "What are you doing here?"

       Mom turned around and saw me. "Oh, finally. I was wondering when someone was going to show up."

       "It's Thursday," I said. "Meaning I'm in school. Dad's in school today because he's a teacher. So what are you doing here?"

       Mom didn't reply. She just looked at Grant before looking back at me, and Grant immediately took the hint that she wanted to talk to me alone. "I'll go get the sheet music," he said. "Where is it again?"

       "It should be on the piano," I said so Grant went to the house, unlocking the door with the spare key Dad gave him before heading inside.

       As soon as Grant was in the house, Mom looked at me. "Applications for all the best music schools in the province are going to close soon so you need to start thinking about what school you want to go to."