Chapter 28: Drinking to Forget
The afternoon was cool, the river reflecting the sunlight like broken glass.
Erica sat on the rocky riverbank, a bottle in her hand, surrounded by a few friends from school—some closer than others, some just there for the booze.
She took a long sip, the alcohol burning down her throat. It wasn't her first time drinking, but today was different. Today wasn't about having fun. It was about drowning out the ache in her chest, about numbing the thoughts that wouldn't shut up.
"You sure you should be drinking like that?" Risha asked, sitting beside her.
Erica let out a short laugh. "Since when do you care?"
Risha sighed. "Since I noticed you spiraling."
"I'm not spiraling," Erica said, taking another sip. "I'm just… taking a break from feeling like shit."
"Yeah?" Risha gestured toward the bottle. "And this is helping?"
Erica looked at the bottle in her hand and then at the dark water ahead of her. No, it wasn't helping. But it was easier than facing reality.
"Just let me have this, Risha," Erica muttered.
And for the rest of the day, Risha did.
The next morning, everything fell apart.
It started with whispers in the hallways—people talking about what had happened at the river, about how a teacher had found out. By in the morning, it was confirmed: the school knew. And now, Erica and the others were being called to the guidance office.
As she sat across from the teachers, she did what she always did—smiled.
"Erica," one of them said, folding their hands on the desk. "We need to talk about what happened yesterday".
"What about it?" Erica replied casually.
"You were drinking," another teacher said. "Near the river. Do you understand how dangerous that was?"
Erica shrugged. "We were just blowing off some steam. It's not a big deal."
"It is a big deal," the first teacher said, voice firm. "You're throwing away your future, Erica. Your grades are slipping, and now this? What's going on with you?"
"Nothing," Erica said, her smile unwavering. "I'm fine."
But the teachers didn't believe her. And deep down, neither did she.
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