THE DRUGGIE

Brandon had now been transferred to Cassie's high school for his senior year. He now had to make new friends, adapt to the new school environment and somehow manage to get good grades that would qualify him for college admissions. Clearly, he had his work cut out for him.

Brandon's first week in his new school as a senior was really tough. He didn't really talk to people but he met and became friends with Dante. He drank a lot, this made Dante go deeper and deeper into his old ways. It was like a two way struggle between Brandon and David with Nattie on his side. Nattie didn't like Brandon one bit. She resented his presence and didn't do a very good job hiding it.

Dante headed down hill with Brandon and his coach, he didn't really care much about how David felt. Brandon had managed to make sure of this. It was more of an effort not to go down alone that made Brandon stay friends with Dante. Dante's new lifestyle had changed him a whole lot. Compared to when he and David reconciled he had become a while lot worse.

With him drinking and spending time with Brandon, he became all the more withdrawn and he stopped getting along with most people. But Nattie was determined and sure she could change him. This determination might have pushed her over the edge as she went ahead to tell Maddie and Cass about it all. They were both stunned when they heard the news about Dante being gay. Yes, Cass had her suspicions but she really didn't pay much attention to it.

Every time he got back home, he would just throw his back pack on the ground and immediately go for another round of beers. At just 18 years old, Brandon, who his parents had high expectations of him had started drinking and smoking even more. Brandon was the second child in a family of six. Growing up, he showed great potential. He was always top of his class and would always be excited to try something new and educational. Over the years things started to change and his parents became worried, most people would treat it with a wave of the hand and say he was just going through a teenage phase and that he would grow out of it. It didn't happen, he didn't get better.

Things started to get worse when his dad got this new job working real estate that required them to move most of the time. He wouldn't try to associate with his peers or even try to meet new people. He would stay cooped up in his room for hours on end. Now they moved once again and Brandon found himself in Cassie's high school and as he always did he planned to wait this one out. He would sometimes skip classes and the ones he did attend he would pay absolutely no attention to, with time he had started to make a name in thier school and consequently get detention more frequently than anyone else.

Nattie walked up to Cassie's house that Saturday morning and went straight upstairs as she always did. Cassie was showering. Nattie sat on the bean bag and waited for her to finish up. She was visibly worried, she had asked herself over and over again why this issue with Dante troubled her so much. Dante had not been of any help to her or even nice to her at all. Why did she care so much, "I wonder if this has anything to do with David" she thought. Was she just doing this because she knew Dante's attitude and his recent changes affected David so much.

Nattie hadn't really cared much for boys, it was always her books and her friends. This was the first time she ever felt this connected to some one and unfortunately it's based off of a problem. Cassie was done showering and came out to meet Nattie staring out the window deep in thought. She stood there in her robe for a while, and when Nattie didn't notice her presence she called out her name "Natalia, is everything okayyy?" She walked over to her and took her hands "seems like you zoned out for a bit yunno. I've been watching you for a hot minute and you didn't even notice I was there.."

"It's nothing" Nattie chuckled playing with Nattie's damp hair "I've just had a lot on my mind lately. You have any plans for today? And Yeah.... You haven't told me how your date with Brian went yet. I want all the details." She said as she quickly changed the topic. A big part of her wanted to tell Cassie everything, but she decided to wait... It didn't seem like this was the right time.

Cassie went on to tell her about how amazing the movie was and how Kate had tried to ruin it all by acting like a Maniac. They had a good laugh and when Cassie came out and finally said "Brian asked me out." Nattie could not contain her Joy. They talked and talked for hours and finally Nattie said "I need you opinion on something, it's very important and very private too. Please promise me no one will hear about this."