"What are you doing in there?"

"None of your business," I replied. I was in the bathroom having my breakfast revisit me. Here I was, sixteen years old, puking after another staggering comedown from heroin. I needed another fix. I couldn't take this anymore. Shaking, I brought the needle up to my arm.

I didn't used to be this way. In fact, when I was younger I was what some people would call a "goody-goody." The perfect grades, the popularity, the house, I had it all - or so I thought. My parents started working more and more until they were hardly around at all. Having all that independence lead to me dropping out of school. It's not that I cared all that much - I spent my days with my best friend, Scott. We usually used all of our free time talking and drinking, that is, until I discovered heroin. Scott was deadset against drugs and tried many a time to stop me from using. I had different intentions, as I had been addicted from the first hit. My life changed drastically.

The only thing left over from that time before I turned "bad" was a small silver locket with a picture of Scott and me inside.

So now here I was, injecting myself yet again to get off the horrible withdrawal I was suffering from.

"Aura, I'm serious, let me in," the voice replied. Concentrating, I realized it was Scott. Trembling, I injected the needle into my arm and waited for the beautiful release it would give me.

"Leave me alone," I slurred, leaning against the counter and closing my eyes. I fingered my locket carelessly.

"If you don't let me in, I'll break the door down!" he warned.

I stayed silent, feeling my body fill with tingles, my blood coming alive. The heroin was much stronger than it's ever been, but it didn't scare me much. I figured it was just because I hadn't had any in so long. Slowly, everything became blurry and I heard Scott in the distance, pushing open the door.

Looking up, I faintly saw the outline of Scott's body and tried to sit up. I felt his hands against me, holding me down gently.

"Stay down, Aura, stay down. I'm getting you help," he said, his voice full of worry. "I love you, just hold still."

I vaguely saw the busied movement above me and slowly I fell farther and farther under. My mind was fighting to stay awake, but I still was left unconscious. Everything turned black.

Tears streamed down my face as I stood solemnly in my black suit, listening to Aura's grandmother give a eulogy. I was asked to do it, but couldn't find it in me to share all of our personal memories with these people. Sure it was her family, but I was very bitter towards them. If they had been there to help, maybe she wouldn't be here, lying in the cold wood casket. I felt tears stream down my cheek as I stood up. It was my turn to look at her. I walked slowly up and looked in the casket, a wave of fresh tears falling from my eyes. Glancing down at her still body, I saw the silver locket still clasped around her neck and thought of all the times we shared, a soft smile rising to my lips.

Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see her grandmother, smiling softly. "It's going to be alright," she said, hugging me.

"No it's not," I whispered, clutching to her. "It'll never be alright."