After the breakdown a couple nights ago, I kind of avoided everyone. The dreams were getting worse, I haven't heard from Eve and I was just in a bad place all together.

   I took a big swig of my Jack Daniels before shakily taking a hit from my cigarette.

   I stared out into the street, watching the cars drive by.

   I heard a sigh from behind me, turning to see Diana standing in the doorway, a very disappointed look on her face.

   "What now?" I slurred.

   She just shook her head before walking past me and getting into her car.

   I watched her drive off as I took one last hit from my cigarette.

When I went to put it out, I accidentally bumped my bottle of Jack Daniels, spilling most of it onto the table. I glared at the now mostly empty bottle.

   I downed the rest of it and chucked it into the street with a huff before standing up and stumbling back inside.

   My phone rang out before I could make it to my room. I rolled my eyes as I answered it.

   "Hello?"

   "Hey, it's Violet... are you drunk?"

   I scoffed. "At least I'm not doped up."

   She sighed. "Look, I know you're upset about the whole Eve thing, but you can't just sit around drinking all day."

   "Why not? It's been working for me since I was sixteen."

   She was silent for a second before answering. "Belle, I'm worried about you... just talk to me."

   "I'll pass."

   "Belle."

   "Look, I'm not in the mood right now. I'll tell you when-"

   "No. I'm your best friend and I'm not just gonna stand by while you drink yourself to death."

   I sat down on the stairs and sighed. "Fine."

   "Thank you. I'll be there in a few."

   I hung up and headed to my room...

   The sound of my door opening woke me from my nap.

   "Who is it?" I asked, eyes still closed.

   "Violet, now get your ass outta bed."

   With a groan I stood up and followed her downstairs.

   I grabbed a beer from the fridge before joining her at the table.

   I popped the cap off and took a big swig. "Alright, what do you wanna talk about?"

   "This." She said, gesturing to me.

   I looked at her before taking another sip. "Look, everyone has their ways of coping with things. Alcohol is mine."

   "Belle, that's not healthy."

   I rolled my eyes. "Now you're starting to sound like Diana."

   She rolled her eyes back. "Maybe thats because she's right."

   I shook my head and stood up, finishing off the rest of my beer in the process. "Look, thanks for the talk, it really did wonders." I said with a thumbs up before heading back to my room.

   Violet grabbed my arm before I could make it there.

   I spun on her. "What now!?"

   She shook her head. "You can't let one girl ruin your life, Belle."

   "Sure I can, watch me." I replied before turning around.

   She groaned before stepping in front of me, blocking my path. "Belle, listen to me-"

   "No, you listen to me. You have no idea what kinda shit I've been through. No one does, not Diana or Eve or anyone. So, I appreciate the gesture, but it's not gonna work."

   I brushed past her and started heading up the stairs.

   Then, she spoke up. "What about your mom?"

   I stopped but didn't turn around. "What about her?"

   "Do you wanna end up like her? A drunk who hasn't talked to her kids in twenty odd years?"

   I clenched my fists but still faced forward. "I think it's time you leave."

   She let out a deep exhale. "Dammit, Belle, don't you see we're just trying to help you!?"

   I finally spun around. "Well, I don't want your help!"

   "So what? If Eve never talks to you again, you're just gonna drink yourself to death? Do you even hear how dumb that sounds?"

   "It's my life Violet and I can live it however I damn well please."

   She angrily shook her head. "You're not thinking this through, Belle."

   I finally snapped. "Fine! You wanna put an end to this whole argument? Let's go talk to her then."

   I charged back down the stairs and grabbed my keys before heading out the door.

   "Belle, wait!"

   But, I got in my car and started it before taking off towards the college, angrily mumbling to myself the whole drive there.

When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I pulled out a cigarette and waited for everyone to get let out.

   After an hour or so, the students started walking out. I spotted Eve walking towards her car.

   I got out and flicked my cigarette to the ground before following her.

   When we were out of earshot of the other students, I called out. "Eve! Wait up!"

   She turned to me as I jogged up. "Belle? What're you doing here?"

   I came to a stop in front of her. "Eve, we have to talk."

   She glanced around the nearly empty parking lot. "I don't think this is the best time."

   I lowered my head. "Please. There's some things I have to get off my chest."

   She was silent for a second. "Are you drunk?"

   I sighed. "Maybe, but that's not important-"

   "Belle-"

   I put my hands up. "Just please, hear me out."

   She sighed and nodded.

   "Thank you... look, I don't know what it is about you, but I like you a lot and I don't wanna lose you now. I know your scared of these things, but-"

   "Hold on a second, scared? Who told you that?"

   "Stacey, I ran into her at the bar a week ago."

   She rubbed her forehead. "What'd she tell you?"

   "Everything, the ex-girlfriend, the hospital, the-"

   She put her hand up. "Alright, I get it."

   "Sorry... but, I'm not like that, Eve, I promise... I just want a chance." I finished, scanning her eyes.

   She averted my gaze. "If you know the whole story, then you know I can't be with you if you're like this."

   "Like what?"

   "Drunk."

   I lowered my head. "Eve, it's not like that... you don't know the whole story."

   "Then why don't you enlighten me?"

   I rubbed my arm and didn't make eye contact. "I don't kno-"

   "Belle!" Violet yelled as she approached.

   I glanced at her before looking back at Eve. "Look-"

   She put her hand up. "I'm sorry, Belle, but I can't do this... not right now anyway."

   And, with that, she got in her car and gave me a sad look before driving off.

   I watched her drive away as Violet walked up behind me.

   She put her hand on my shoulder but I shrugged it off and headed back to my car, tears starting to well up.

   As I was getting in, I locked eyes with Diana as she was walking out.

   We stayed like that for a few seconds before I got into my car and drove off.

   When I got home, I headed straight for the bathroom.

   I looked at my reflection in the mirror, a few tears streaked my face. "Why me? Why does everything I care about get taken away?"

   I wiped away a few more tears before stripping down and hopping in the shower. I let the warm water run down my back as my mind raced.

   'She doesn't want me in her life, so I should just forget about her.' I thought. 'But, why is it so damn hard to do..?'

   Eventually the tears started flowing faster and I sat against the shower wall, hugging my knees to my chest...

—————

   I rubbed my eyes as I walked into the kitchen, stopping when I saw Diana sitting at the table.

   "You wanna tell me what you were doing there?"

   "No." I said before walking to the fridge to grab a beer.

   She sighed. "Belle, you can talk to me..."

   I lowered my head and shut the fridge door.

I thought for a second before slowly walking over to the table and taking a seat.

   "Alright, what's on your mind?"

   "There's a girl..." I started, staring down at my hands.

   I could feel my heart rate speed up. "And I like her a lot, but she doesn't want anything to do with me."

   She went quiet.

   'I knew I shouldn't have told her... I knew she wouldn't understand.'

   "Why?"

   I looked up, a little shocked. "Why what?"

   "Why doesn't she want anything to do with you?"

   'Well, that definitely wasn't the reaction I was expecting.' But, I figured it was better then her disowning me.

   "It's complicated."

   She went quiet again. "...Ok. Well, is it someone I know?"

   I sighed. "Yeah... Eve Bloom.

   "You like Eve?"

   I looked down again. "Yes... I can't tell you why, because I don't really know why myself. But, whenever I'm around her I- I..." I sighed, unable to put my feelings into words.

   She surprised me by gently squeezing my hand. "I know. Sometimes you meet someone and you just know, in the bottom of your heart, that they're the one."

   I looked up at her and realized she was right. I couldn't explain why I felt that way for Eve. But, I knew she was the one and I wouldn't lose hope...