3 Weeks Later.....

Madison groaned as she opened her eyes and was met with harsh sunlight. When her eyes adjusted to the light, she went the bathroom and took three ibuprofen. Maybe that would stop the pounding in her head. Arielle was passed out on the floor. Madison went to the kitchen and opened the fridge but the thought of food nauseated her. Madison lit a joint and smiled at the feeling it brought her. Somebody knocked on the door and Madison answered it. It was Justin’s mom Lynn.

“Madison?” She asked, shocked. Madison nodded as the room started to spin. She grabbed the door for support but she slowly slid into unconsciousness.

***********************

Madison woke up several hours later in a hospital bed with an IV in her left arm. Lynn was sitting by her bedside. Ironically, Justin was nowhere to be found. Justin. So long since she had thought about him. Brown gold curls, blue eyes. She missed him. Lynn put down her magazine.

“You’re awake.” Lynn said softly.

“Why isn’t Justin here?” Madison asked accusingly.

“I figured I would call him after you enrolled in rehab so he wouldn’t see you in such a messed up state. You may be able to break his heart but I won’t do that.” Lynn shot back.

“What if I don’t want to do rehab?”

“Then I’ll force you. Or I could call your parents and let them decide what to do. It’s your call.” Madison shuddered at the thought of her parents.

“I’ll do rehab.” Madison said. Lynn smiled.

“Then I’ll call Justin.” Lynn said. Madison was about to protest but stopped and flopped back down. She had given up.

*******************

Justin had put his key in the door when he heard the phone ring. He unlocked the door and ran for the phone.

“Hello?” He exclaimed breathlessly. He was disappointed when it was his mom.

“Justin, I want to talk to you about Madison.”

“I don’t know where she's at.” Justin said, irritated.

“I do.” Lynn said quietly.

“Where is she?” Justin asked as calmly as possible.

“Here with me. Fly out here and I’ll tell you why.” Justin didn’t bother saying goodbye. He called the airport, packed some stuff, and called a cab. He didn’t bother to look back.

**********************

Justin arrived at his mom’s house late that night. Lynn sat down with him at the kitchen table.

“Justin what I’m about to tell you is very shocking. Are you prepared?” Justin nodded his head.

“Madison was staying with Arielle O’Grady, Mike’s sister. She’s been there for three weeks.” Lynn said, taking a sip of her coffee. Mike’s sister, Justin thought. That can’t be good.

“Arielle is a partier, She took Madison to a bunch of clubs and introduced her to drugs.” Justin’s mouth dropped open.

“What kind of drugs?”

“Pot, crank, LSD, shrooms. Just about every kind. She’s in the hospital.”

“WHAT? IS SHE OKAY?” Justin yelled, standing up. Lynn pushed him back down into his seat.

“Calm down. She’s okay. But she doesn’t want to go to rehab. I threatened to call her parents and it worked for a while but then she said she didn’t care.”

“When can I see her?”

“Tomorrow.” Lynn replied. Justin shook his head.

“I’m going tonight.” Justin grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

***************

“But you have to let me see her!” Justin said desperately.

“I’m sorry but it’s really late. Come back tomorrow.”

“I’m only in town tonight. I have to see her.” The nurse bit her lip.

“Okay but she’s going withdrawal.” Justin walked to her room and stopped. This was the second time he would see her in a hospital bed. He opened the door and stepped into her room. Madison was sitting up in bed, flipping through the channels on TV. She looked over with bloodshot blue eyes. There were bruises on her right arm. From shooting up, Justin thought.

“Justin.” Madison whispered. But then her face darkened. “Go away. I don’t want you to see me like this.”

“I’m not leaving Madison. I want to help you.” Justin said.

“I don’t need your help.” Madison snapped. Justin knew different. Tears were trickling down Madison’s face.

“Yeah right Madison. You’re in the hospital because you did drugs after you left me, crying, yet you don’t need me.” Justin snapped.

“You didn’t even come after me.” Madison said bitingly.

“Yes I did. I saw you at a pay phone and tried to follow you.” Justin paused. “I read your journal. Why didn’t say something if you liked me so much?”

“YOU READ MY JOURNAL?” Madison yelled. Justin flinched.

“Yeah. I’m sorry Madison.”

“SORRY? YOU ASSHOLE! THAT WAS PRIVATE!” Madison yelled.

“Madison, you need to go to rehab. You can’t do this by yourself.” Justin said, fighting back tears.

Don’t Justin, He told himself. You have to be strong for her.

“Ok, daddy.” Madison said sarcastically.

“I’m worried about you. I care about you no matter what you say.” Justin said, looking down at the floor. Madison’s face softened a little.

“I’m sorry I read your journal. It was wrong but I still think you need to get help.”

“But-”

“I’ll be there with you every step of the way.” Justin said softly. “Just promise me you’ll go to rehab Mad. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

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