𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 ~ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭?

It wasn't regret. I don't think so, at least. I just couldn't understand why I helped him.

Topper didn't agree with what Rafe did, but he just walked away. I could've done the same thing.

I didn't have to stay, I didn't have to give him the money, but I did.

I stole the money to buy coke. I needed something to hold me over until I could get my bag back.

I was literally having a withdrawal, yet I still gave up the money.

All for some Pogue I barely knew.

It felt wrong.

The next day came, making it almost forty-eight hours since I had done any coke.

It was killing me.

It didn't help my stress about the whole golf course situation either.

I couldn't handle it anymore and found myself on Kelce's porch banging on the door.

"KELCE!" I screamed. "COME ON! KELCE!"

As loud as I was being, it's no surprise how quickly he made his way outside.

I practically fell into his arms as soon as I saw him.

"Woah, hey..." He said softly. "What's going on?"

"P-Please tell me you have my bag," I stuttered, as he held onto my trembling body.

"Yeah, I do. I have it," He replied. "Here, come in. I'll grab it for you,"

I nodded and stepped inside, pacing by the door as he went to grab it.

A few minutes passed before Kelce came back with my purse, handing it over to me.

"Thank you so fucking much, holy shit,"

"Of course," He replied.  "Is everything okay?"

"Sort of," I mumbled. "I just need the money in my bag to deal with a...personal problem. Once it's handled I'll be alright,"

He nodded.

I appreciated that he didn't continue to pry after my initial answer. It was clearly something I didn't want to talk about and he respected that.

"I get that you have to leave now, but do you maybe want to hang out later?" He asked. "We could go to the OBX movie night together?"

I had completely forgotten about the movie night. I was planning on asking him if he wanted to go together but the stress of everything made me forget.

"Yeah, we can do that," I said. "Should I just meet you here?"

"I was gonna pick you up but if you're already gonna be out then, sure!" He said. "You good to come at six so we can hang before?"

"Yep, six sounds good!"

I noticed that my voice was shaky as I spoke, causing me to realize that my small trembles had turned into full-on shakes.

I quickly said goodbye and made my way outside, hopping on my bike.

I sped to Barry's and walked inside, finding him sitting on his beaten-up couch counting money.

Once again, there were a shit ton of people there.

"Barry!" I said, getting his attention. He looked up for a brief moment to see who had called his name then continued counting the money.

"What's up, A?" He asked, not even bothering to look at me.

I held my shaky hands in front of me as I paced back and forth. I was so fucking anxious.