So I'm a Double Threat (Double Threat Series) (15 page)

“Oh, okay,” she says. “Bye guys, see ya in a bit.”

Keesh runs over. “
Bye,
Amy. So nice to talk to you.” She’s not wasting an opportunity to take a jab at her.

Why is she being so freakin’ rude?

Fifth period comes and goes, as does sixth period.

Eric and I walk out of English together, as usual.

“Meg.” Ben smiles and nods at Eric. “Looks like you settled for second best, huh?”

My face immediately scorches with anger.

“No, Ben. Honey, if that was the case, I’d still be waiting around for your dumbass.”

I stand on my tip-toes, peck Eric on the neck—which is as far as I can reach—grab his hand and walk in the opposite direction.

I knew a confrontation with Ben was inevitable. I’m actually surprised it didn’t happen sooner and it wasn’t much worse.

“Sorry, babe,” I say.

“Don’t apologize.” Eric smiles. “Thanks for calling him a dumbass but I could’ve come up with something worse.”

He leans down and kisses me on the side of my forehead as we walk.

Moments like this make me forget about all the other drama in my teenage life.

––––––––

I
love winter break. It comes at just the right moment every year. Just when my brain is fried and I don’t think I can endure any more, two weeks of mindless relaxation and snuggling up to my wonderful boyfriend is the answer to my prayers.

I don’t know why I even came to school today, the day before break—we haven’t done anything all morning, just party after party. We’re not having Christmas celebrations though, these are all
cultural experiences
. Cultural smultural. I know why I came to school today. Eric. It’s really happened. I love this guy.

By the time lunch comes around, I can’t eat another thing. I think I polished off an entire container of those brownie bites with powdered sugar on them. They’re so addictive. The delightfully moist sweet little squares were just calling my name and I couldn’t say no. Now, I’m just lying down on the grass with the back of my head resting on Eric’s thigh. I’m even contemplating undoing one of my buttons, my stomach is that full. Shit. I can even feel it in my neck. I think I have brownies stuck in my esophagus. Seriously.

“Hey, Keesha. You gonna come or what?” Nicole asks, looking only at Keesh.

“Yeah.” Keesh stands up. “I’ll see ya guys later.”

She walks off with Nicole and doesn’t even wait for a response.

Oh no, she didn’t.

But she did. She just left with that Sasquatch stoner.

“Who is that? Where is she going?” Steph questions.

“I don’t know.” I’m in shock.

I’m not sure what to say to Steph.

The bell rings not too much later and we’re off to P.E.

Keesh doesn’t show up to gym.

She’s a no show for English.

I dodged Steph’s questions during P.E., which is pretty difficult since she’s persistent, but I can’t hold back anymore.

I have to make a choice.

My
choice
is to tell my friends one of us has taken up a new hobby.

“You guys, I’ve got to talk to you about something.” My voice cracks.

“Hey, hon. What’s wrong?” Eric puts his arm around me.

“It’s about Keesha.”

“Where is she anyway?” Amy asks.

My friends are staring at me. Everyone else in class is talking too, even though we’re supposed to be eating quietly while we watch
Romeo and Juliet
. But Ms. Gelson doesn’t seem to mind since it’s just a party day.

“She took off with some tall chick during lunch,” Steph says, confused. “But I don’t know who it was or where she went.”

“I think I do.” I put my head down.

Eric squeezes my shoulder. “Megan. Tell us what’s going on.”

“She’s on drugs,” Amy states.

“What?” Steph screeches.

“You
know
?” I ask.

“Wait. Keesh is on
drugs
and you both knew, but didn’t tell me?” She lowers her voice to a whisper.

“Sorry, Steph. I found out and I didn’t want to believe it and I didn’t know what to do. She’s been acting normal so I thought maybe she just did it once, but now I think I’m wrong.” I cry, trying to catch my breath.

I try to keep my voice down and my face hidden because I don’t want to draw any more attention to our group than I already have.

“Come on, that’s not the kind of friendship we have. We don’t just let each other do stupid shit and not say anything. We talk about everything. It was real stupid not to tell us. We’re better than that.” Steph shakes her head with disappointment.

“What’s she doing?” Eric asks.

“She’s smoking weed with her soccer team,” Amy informs them.

How does she know this?

“Amy, how did you know?” I ask, wiping the tears from my eyes.

Damn. I’m such a baby. I cry for everything. I can’t help it. I’m an emotional person.

“Jen told me,” she explains. “She heard some rumors and let me know. She said I could do whatever I wanted with the information but she doesn’t want to get involved. I know how both of you get. Look at you, Meg. You’re crying and you didn’t even do anything wrong. So I thought I’d try to take care of it myself and then I’d tell you guys.”

“So did you come up with anything?” I have zilch for ideas.

“I told Keesh I knew and I was going to tell her parents if she didn’t stop.” Amy went on, “She’s been smoking with them since Thanksgiving which is why she didn’t get us all together like usual. That Nicole chick is something else. When I confronted Keesh, Nicole cussed me out and Keesha didn’t say a word. Not a single thing.”

“So, that’s why she’s been a total bitch to you then,” Steph exclaims.

“That, and I told her parents,” Amy mutters.

“You did
what
?” I’m in shock again. “What did they say?”

Amy continues, “Keesh’s mom was really upset, and her dad got pissed. I seriously thought her mom was gonna kick Nicole’s ass. Both her parents thanked me and told me they’d handle it from here, so I just haven’t said anything else.”

“Holy crap,” I say loudly. “What do we do now? She skipped both periods with the stupid witch.”

“Hey, you ditch all the time, Meg,” Steph reminds me.

“Yeah. To go to the Steel Grill, not to get high.”

“Chill, you guys,” Eric says, trying to quiet us down.

“I’m gonna ask Ms. Gelson if I can go to the bathroom and I’m gonna call her mom. If we don’t do something now, she’s gonna be with those chicks all during break and who knows what’s gonna happen.”

Amy stands up.

“Are you sure you want to?” I ask. “I could call.”

“She already hates me,” Amy says. “She doesn’t have to get pissed at you guys too. I won’t even tell her you guys know about it.”

She walks over to Ms. Gelson, and then leaves the room.

“This is some shit,” Eric says.

“Tell me about it,” Steph and I mutter at the same time.

Gosh...how could I ever be so rude to Amy? Look at what she’s doing for Keesha. Look at what she’s doing for all of us. This is the old Amy I know. This is the sensitive, caring Amy, who was fun to be around before we had to grow up. I feel guilty now for giving her such a hard time and for thinking bad thoughts behind her back.

––––––––

W
ord travels fast because when I get home early from soccer practice, both my parents are waiting for me with...a DRUG TEST. Yes. I said a drug test. See, my friends and I have been in the same classes for years. Fortunately, or unfortunately, whatever you want to call it, our parents have gotten to know each other
really
well. That’s how it works with honors students. Back to School Nights, Open Houses, Report Card Pick-up—it doesn’t matter which event, our parents always run into each other because we have the same teachers. We usually use this to our advantage because our parents trust each other and never bother to check up on us...until now.

“Sit down, Megan Ann Miller.”

Oh shit. My dad used my full name.

And he’s home early.

This is not a good sign.

“Okay. What’s going on, Mom? Dad?”

“Keesha’s mother phoned and told us what’s going on with her,” my mother begins.

I can tell she is uncomfortable with saying out loud what is really going on with Keesha. I feel the same way. This is not a conversation I want to be having with my parents.

“Did you know about this, Meg?” My dad asks.

“No,” I start to lie, but then I quickly change my mind. “Well yes, I did but I just didn’t know what to say or do.”

My eyes are drowning in tears already. I can feel them swelling up with each second.

“Are you doing the same thing as Keesha, Megan?” my mom asks with her head down.

I think she is crying, too. I can hear soft sniffles coming from her direction.

“Nooo,” I cry out. “You think I’m that stupid? I went to her house to do homework and she and her new friend started smoking weed. I freaked out and left. I was there for less than a minute once I figured out what they were doing. I would never smoke anything.”

Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. I can’t believe they even asked. Sure, I’m no saint, but I don’t do drugs.

“Well then,” Dad says, firmly, “you won’t mind if we ask you to take this drug test then, right?”

He pushes a box across the counter. I pick it up and look at it. It
is
a drug test—just pee and you get the results. Seriously, like the pregnancy tests they show on commercials. Is this what this world has come to—over the counter drug tests?

“Whatever. Sure.” I laugh, sucking back my tears.

I don’t have anything to worry about.

I read the directions and I’m off to the bathroom. Within minutes, the results are in. ALL CLEAR. I’m drug free. I’m so relieved even though I already knew what the results would be.

My parents look relieved as well. Did they really think I was a druggie?

“Well, I’m happy with the results. I can’t say I’m surprised. But, I’m still disappointed.” My mom has a glint of happiness in her eyes behind her frustration.

“Why, Mom? I don’t do drugs,” I say, raising my voice.

“Meg, your friend was in trouble and you didn’t say anything. Amy is the one who came forward. You guys all give her a hard time for being this spoiled brat, but she was the one who had the courage to help Keesha. She was the one who called her mom. You did nothing.” She runs her trembling hands through her hair, and then wipes a few tears falling down her cheek.

It hurts me to see my mom like this. I really disappointed her. It’s not a good feeling to have.

“There’s no excuse, but I was scared. This doesn’t happen every day, Mom. It’s not like a math test. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know what to do.” I cry even more. I need them to let me off the hook for this one. I can’t deal with their disappointment.

“It’s been a long day. Why don’t you just get some rest? I’d like you to plan on being home till after Christmas, okay? It wouldn’t hurt all of you to spend time with your families. We’ll see what comes next, after the holidays,” Dad explains.

“Do you know what’s happening with Keesha?”

“Uh, Kendra said they have a good family doctor so they’re gonna take Keesha to see him. I guess they’re gonna go from there based on his recommendations. I have a feeling she will be at home all of break. Maybe you should just give her family some space for now...give them a chance to figure this out. I’m sure Kendra will keep us updated,” Mom responds, rubbing her temple.

“All right, I’m gonna go call the others.” I stand up to leave.

“Megan, if something like this happens again, please, talk to us?” She looks up at me, pleading.

“Sure thing.”

As I walk to my room, I hear the doorbell ring. I open it to find Amy, Alex, Eric, and Steph.

“Whoa. What are you guys doing here?”

“Kinda just happened we all had the same idea...I guess.” Steph speaks up first.

“Weird, huh?” Eric says.

“You think your parents would be cool with us coming in?” Amy asks, shivering.

I didn’t even notice when the weather turned cold. It’s like we skipped fall—going from the summer heat to the winter cold without anything in between.

“Come on in, everyone,” my mom shouts from behind me. “I figured you would all find each other at some point. Who’s this, though?” She looks at Alex.

She has definitely heard of him, but she has never met Alex personally.

“Mrs. Miller, this is my boyfriend, Alex.” Amy introduces him.

“Oh. Hi, Alex. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She shakes his hand.

Did she really have to say that to him?

“Hey kids, I can fix a fire for you outside if you want to talk out there,” my dad offers.

Since when did my parents get to be so cool? This is not the norm.

I look at my friends and then we follow my dad outside. We grab some chairs, unfold them, and place them around the fire. It’s chilly out, but the burning embers and the crackling of the wood make it warm and cozy.

“Hello, Mr. Miller, my name is Alex Aguilar.” He holds his hand out to my father.

“Hey, Alex. Nice to finally meet you,” my dad says, with a little too much emphasis on
finally
. Not Dad too. Is this a conspiracy? I hope Eric didn’t notice. Maybe my parents know more about me than I thought.

“I can get us some drinks before we get settled,” I tell them. “I’ll get some sodas.”

I run in the house and return to find everyone already talking about Keesha. My parents are inside watching TV so we have some privacy. I’m anxious to see what everyone knows about what happened to her.

“So, what’s the story?” I ask, passing out cans of soda, and then sitting down next to Eric.

He puts his hand on my leg just above my knee and I feel much better for the first time today.

“So, Keesh’s parents actually had to go looking for her because she wasn’t answering her cell and she was nowhere to be found,” Steph says loudly, catching everyone’s attention.

Amy continues, “When Kendra called my mom to tell her what was going on, my mom asked Jen if she knew Nicole. Jen was just as worried as the rest of us so she told Kendra about this empty house next to school where a lot of kids go to do drugs and stuff.”