Addicted

Chapter 3 - Homecoming

Tom's P.O.V.

I get off the bus. Heading up the long driveway of my house. I unlock the door and immediately turn the alarm off. I didn't live in the nicest house but it was a decent one in our area. I'm greeted by Mickey our lab. Named after my moms obsession with Disney. I give him a pat on the head. "Good boy." I head into the kitchen. A note left on the counter next to some pills that my mom takes. She was working a late shift at the nursing home. So I mostly had the place to myself until my little sister comes home. I pick up the note and read it. Pretty much saying that there was dinner in the fridge for us and to enjoy the football game. I glance at the number written on my wrist. I think for a moment. I grab a water and some chips heading upstairs to my room. Mickey following along as his nails clicked to the floor as we walked. I lay on my bed pulling my phone out. I type in Charlie's number. Saving it. I go to type a message. What should I say. I type a few things immediately regretting and erasing it. Ugh. I put my phone down. I look at my face in the mirror. My under eye swollen. I hated Nathan. The worst thing is I used to call him a friend. I think about the game tonight and Charlie. Deciding to go to the game. In the mean time I worked on some school work.

"Here you go enjoy the game." Says the lady as she hands me my pack of licorice. I thank her and head up the bleachers. Scanning the student section. For the girl in particular. Oh there she is! She waves at me. I go up excusing myself infront of people to sit next to her. Charlie smiles at me. She had a gorgeous smile. When she did her cheeks would crease into a dimple on both sides. She was so gorgeous. I don't think she realized how much she really was. Her dark blonde hair moved in the wind going in her face slightly as we chatted. She tucks a strand behind her ear. We continue to watch the game.

During halftime we chat about homecoming. She brings Landon up. Asking if this bruise on my face was because of him. It wasn't but I didn't want to tell her he was instigating the situation. I knew how close they were just due to people talking about them all the time. But she didn't talk about him much. Especially around me I had noticed. I had noticed she was wearing his jersey. I knew that when girls wore jerseys for the team it was more than just a friendly gesture. I shrug it off. Talking about Landon had caused me to be alittle annoyed by his name. And the people associated with him. But Charlie was the nicest. I didn't understand what she saw in him. We continue to chat.
The game ended and we say our goodbyes. I head home.

Pulling into the driveway I see my step dads car. I get out. Heading inside I see the kitchen light is on and some cheers from the living room. The neighbors are over. I go into the kitchen. Mark sees me and heads in. "Hey bud..." "What the hell happened to your face?" I turn around getting some food to eat. "Just got into it with some guys this morning, it's nothing to worry about." He sighs. I put some breakfast casserole in the microwave. Turning around to face him. "Your mom is gonna freak when she sees this." I shake my head crossing my arms over my chest. "She doesn't need to know." I say referring to the incident in the morning. Mark and my mom had been married for a few years now. He's always taken care of us but they have more arguments now that my mom was sick. So it became more and more apparent. I didn't blame them I knew money was tight because of the doctor appointments and meds. They were stressed. Mark looks at me with pity. "One day your gonna have to stand up for yourself." He says and walks away. I head upstairs with my now not so appealing casserole.

Landon's P.O.V.

I head home after dropping Charlie off. The rain hits the windshield as I drive. I turn the radio up slightly. I felt guilty for not standing up for her new friend. I think back to this morning.