Vodka therapy is the best kind….

Bea's POV

I walked away from Josh's house, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. Josh and his mum had apologised for his dad's behavior, but the sting of his insensitive comments still lingered. I needed a friend, someone who understood, so I called Jess and asked her to come over. As I opened the door to let her in, my eyes were already welling up with tears.

"Hey," Jess said softly, giving me a tight hug as soon as she stepped inside. "You okay?"

I shook my head, my voice cracking. "No, not really."

We moved to the living room and settled on the couch, both of us with ice cream and vodka in hand. It was like a makeshift therapy session, and I desperately needed it.

"So, spill it," Jess said, her voice a mix of concern and determination.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "Josh's dad... he asked me if my real name was Bea, and then he asked if I didn't use my real name because it's a 'black thing.'"

Jess's eyes widened, and she let out a sigh. "Are you kidding me? What is wrong with people?"

I shrugged, my sadness turning into a bitter sort of humor. "You know, just the usual ignorance."

Jess handed me a tissue and patted my back. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. People can be so fucking clueless sometimes."

I wiped my tears and let out a half-hearted chuckle. "Tell me about it."

As we dug into our ice cream, I looked at Jess. "Do you ever get tired of dealing with this kind of crap?"

She paused, considering the question. "Honestly? Yeah, sometimes it gets exhausting. But we can't let other people's ignorance define us or our worth."

I nodded, grateful for Jess's wisdom. "You're right. It's just frustrating."

"Totally get that," she said, raising her ice cream spoon in solidarity.

We spent the evening swapping stories of our own encounters with ignorance, turning our pain into shared laughter. As the ice cream disappeared and the vodka flowed, it was like Jess and I were on a mission to drown out the negativity with humour.

"You know what?" Jess said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We should come up with a drinking game. Every time someone says something ignorant, we take a shot."

I laughed, the idea striking a chord with me. "That's actually not a bad idea. But we might end up unconscious by the end of the day."

She grinned. "Well, it's better than feeling angry all the time, right?"

I clinked my vodka glass against hers. "Cheers to that."

As the evening turned into nights, the weight of the hurtful comment from Josh's dad began to fade, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the realisation that I wasn't alone in this struggle.

"You know what else?" Jess said, her words slightly slurred. "We're strong. We deal with this crap, and we still rise above it."

I raised my glass again, a genuine smile on my face. "Damn right."

As the night grew deeper, Jess had a brilliant idea. "Hey, why don't we call Ryan over? He's always good for some laughs."

I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. "Yeah, you're right. He'll get my mind off things."

A short while later, Ryan joined us, and the trio of us crammed onto the couch, sharing stories and trading jokes.

"Man, can you believe some of the ridiculous things people say?" Ryan exclaimed, taking a swig from his drink.

Jess laughed. "Honestly, if I could charge people for every ignorant comment, I'd be a millionaire by now."

As the hours rolled on and the vodka flowed freely, our conversation delved deeper.

"Bea, you okay?" Ryan asked, his concern evident in his eyes.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging. "Yeah, I guess. It's just... sometimes it feels like no matter how hard we try, we're still seen as 'different.'"

Ryan's expression softened, and he put an arm around me. "I get it. But remember, you're not alone in this. We've got your back."

Jess leaned in, her tone serious yet comforting. "And you know you can always call us out when you need to vent or rant. We're in this together."

I smiled through my lingering sadness, appreciating the unwavering support of my friends. "Thanks, you guys. It means a lot."

As the clock ticked past midnight, Ryan and Jess exchanged knowing glances. "Hey, Bea, do you want us to stay over?" Ryan asked.

I considered his offer, feeling a sudden rush of loneliness as I thought about returning to an empty bed. "Yeah, that would be nice, actually."

As Ryan and Jess cozied up together, I found myself feeling simultaneously comforted and left out. Their laughter and shared moments only served to highlight the absence of my own relationship.

"Bea, you sure you don't want me to call Josh for you?" Ryan asked, breaking through my thoughts.

I shook my head, a mix of stubbornness and vulnerability in my response. "No, it's okay. I don't want him to see me like this."

Jess patted my arm. "You know, it's okay to lean on your friends when you're feeling down. That's what we're here for."

I managed a weak smile. "I know, it's just... complicated."

As the night wore on, Ryan and Jess eventually fell asleep, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I grabbed my phone and replied to Josh's message, letting him know that I had company over and that he didn't need to pick me up tomorrow for school.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to him?" Ryan's voice broke the silence, and I looked up to see his concerned expression.

I shrugged, my gaze fixed on the screen of my phone. "I don't know, Ryan. I need some space right now."

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Just remember, whatever you decide, we're here for you."

I sighed, feeling grateful for the friends who had become my support system. "Thanks, Ryan. It means a lot."

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Josh's POV

The morning sun painted streaks of gold across the room, but the aftermath of last night still clung to the air.

I drove to Bea's house and there she was-

Bea lay sprawled on the bed, her limbs tangled in a mess of blankets, her face a canvas of deep slumber. I knew we were all worried, but the sight of her motionless form sent a pang of concern through me.

I exchanged glances with Jess and Ryan, their expressions mirroring my unease. Bea had indulged in one too many drinks last night, and now she seemed to be paying the price in the form of a heavy hangover. This wasn't the first time I'd seen her in such a state, but it was definitely one of the worst.

"Is she okay?" Ryan's voice was hushed, as though he feared that even speaking too loudly would worsen the situation.

Jess sighed, worry lines furrowing her brow. "She's breathing, so that's something."

I felt a mix of frustration and concern gnawing at me. This wasn't the Bea I knew, the strong and vibrant girl who could handle anything life threw her way. And now, seeing her in this vulnerable state, it was like a punch to the gut.

"Maybe we should wake her up," I suggested, my voice laced with apprehension.

Ryan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, cold shower usually does the trick."

We approached the bed cautiously, like we were dealing with a fragile artifact. I leaned over and gently shook Bea's shoulder. "Hey, Bea, time to wake up."

Her eyelids fluttered, but she remained unresponsive. Panic began to rise within me, a tight knot forming in my chest. We couldn't afford to let her stay like this.

"We might have to be a bit more forceful," Jess said, her tone hesitant.

With Jess on one side and Ryan on the other, we gently but firmly lifted Bea from the bed. Her body was limp, a testament to the hangover's stronghold on her. We navigated her toward the bathroom, the cold shower awaiting her like a jolt of reality.

As the cold water hit her, Bea let out a yelp that was somewhere between shock and protest. It was like watching someone emerge from a deep sleep, disoriented and caught off guard.

"What the hell?" Bea's voice was a mixture of anger and confusion as she tried to shield herself from the water.

I couldn't hold back my frustration any longer. "What the hell were you thinking, Bea?"

She blinked, her expression gradually shifting from bewilderment to realisation. "Josh?"

I nodded, my irritation still bubbling beneath the surface. "You got wasted last night, Bea. This isn't okay."

Bea's eyes narrowed, a fire sparking in their depths. "Oh, now you care?"

I felt a surge of anger rise within me. "Of course, I care! I care about you not putting yourself in stupid situations."

The car was filled with an awkward silence that weighed on me like a heavy fog. The tension was palpable, and I knew I had to break it before it became unbearable. I cleared my throat and glanced at Bea, who was staring out of the window with a determined expression.

"Bea," I began cautiously, "why did you drink so much last night?"

She turned her gaze to me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of defiance and hurt. "Why did you drink every time we had a fight last year?"

I winced at the accusation, the truth of her words hitting me like a slap in the face. She was right, and I had to admit it, even if it stung. "You're right, Bea. I messed up last year, and I'm sorry."

Bea's response was a mix of frustration and resignation. "Yeah, well, sorry doesn't change what happened."

Jess, sitting in the back seat, chimed in, her voice laced with sympathy. "She's got a point, Josh. You hurt her, and it's not just something you can sweep under the rug with an apology."

I let out a sigh, my shoulders slumping in defeat. "I know, Jess. Believe me, I know."

As the car rolled on, Bea's silence was louder than any words she could have spoken. I could feel her anger, her frustration, and the deep wounds I had inflicted on her. I knew I had to make things right, and it wasn't just about saying sorry.

Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I spoke up. "Bea, what happened last year, it was a mess, and I should've handled it better. I was wrong, and I'm owning up to that."

Bea's gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery, but I could see her tension slowly easing. "It's just... I don't understand why you did it. Why you turned to alcohol whenever things got tough between us."

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Honestly, I didn't know how to cope with the fights, with the misunderstandings. I thought maybe drowning it all out would make it go away. But I see now that it only made things worse."

Bea turned to me, her eyes searching mine. "Do you care about me, Josh?"

The question hit me like a sledgehammer, and I felt my heart race. "Bea, I... I love you. I've said it before, and I mean it."

She chuckled softly, her expression softening. "Yeah, you've said it a couple of times."

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "But it's not just words, Bea. I do care about you. More than I've cared about anyone else."

Bea's smile matched mine, and her hand found mine on the gear shift. "Okay, okay. I hear you."

I squeezed her hand gently, the tension between us finally easing. "And for the record, I think you're more than amazing, Bea. You're strong, smart, and beautiful. And I'm sorry for not always showing you that."

Her fingers intertwined with mine, and she leaned over, planting a soft kiss on my cheek. "Well, you better start showing me, White Boy."

I chuckled, relieved that we were finally on the same page. "You got it."

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Grace's POV

Sitting outside in the school courtyard, I fiddled with the hem of my shirt, my mind racing with thoughts that I never thought I'd have to deal with at this age. Steph was beside me, her expression a mix of concern and surprise as I spilled my secret.

"Yep, I know it's crazy," I muttered, staring at my shoes as if they held the answers to all my worries. "I haven't had my period for a month."

Steph's eyes widened, and she leaned in closer. "Wait, what? Grace, you've got to tell Theo."

A sudden voice behind us made me jump, and I turned to see Melanie sauntering over, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at her presence, given the history she has with Theo.

"What's the drama?" she chimed in, her tone dripping with faux innocence.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of irritation. "What are you doing here, Melanie?"

She shrugged, her smile unabashed. "Just transferred, you know? Wanted to be closer to Theo."

Steph couldn't help but make a sarcastic comment. "Oh, to be with the love of your life?"

Melanie's agreement to Steph's remark was met with a raised eyebrow from me. "Come on, Melanie. Stop lying. We all know your track record."

She tilted her head, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Grace."

I huffed, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Trust me, I'm not jealous of anything related to you."

Melanie let out a playful laugh, as if she was thoroughly enjoying the tension she was causing. "Sure, Grace."

As much as I wanted to dismiss her words, there was an unsettling truth in them.

Steph intervened, her tone a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Can you just go bother someone else, Melanie? We don't need your commentary."

Melanie winked at us, her smugness evident. "Sure thing, girls. Just remember, I'm here to stay."

With that, she sauntered away, leaving Steph and me to exchange exasperated glances. Melanie's presence was definitely going to add an extra layer of complexity to an already complicated situation.

I turned to Steph with a sigh, the weight of my uncertainty heavy on my shoulders. "You think I should tell Theo?"

She nodded, her expression softening with empathy. "Yeah, Grace. It's the right thing to do. Whatever happens next, you both need to face it together."

As much as I wished I could escape the consequences of my actions, I knew that facing them head-on was the only way to move forward.