Forced Withdrawals [Nox's Building]

[Sterling]

Sterling giggled. "Nox is always stupid when it comes to his love life. He is a stupid boy. Ice-cream sounds good and I can have A glass of wine. It's not illegal here. But I don't like it. My parents gave me some once, it was gross. They were happy I didn't like it. More for them."

She didn't really care where they talked thought "I don't need to go someplace quiet. I don't care if Liam hears how stupid he is." He voice raised as Liam found his way into the room with the rest of them. He looked a little ashamed, he hunkered down into a corner with his laptop and ignored everyone. He looked upset.

"He's afraid of Nox." Sterling said. "He likes me, he kissed me back, but he's too afraid of Nox." She rolled her eyes. "He's a pussy cat, can't hurt a kid -- specially not a rich kid who's dad has the power he has."

[Tatyana]

Maddie’s words struck her like a slap. They were the unfiltered words of a child that had seen the truth and couldn’t help but shout it. She wasn’t the first one to say it. Ashton had said it earlier. Hayden may have said it too. But this was different. This came from someone she had truthfully let in. It came from someone she considered to be a kindred spirit.

Tatyana didn’t say anything for awhile. She sat there, allowing the words in as she looked at the two girls. She was scared. She always had been. She knew that. She put on a brave face all the time and she fought to protect her own, but she was scared. Always scared of being hurt. And here was a girl half her age telling her that it was okay to be scared.

”I’ll try,” she said, her voice serious. She would, but she couldn’t promise anything. It wouldn’t be easy.

Maddi held on to Kenzie, and Tatyana didn’t interrupt again yet. Maddi hadn’t told Tatyana she wanted her to leave, so she stayed, but she let Maddi be there for her sister. She had a lot to think about.

[Hayden]

Hayden's wallet buzzed on his chest. He groaned but he had to answer it. It could be Anita or Nox or even Elyse -- though he was pretty sure she was home.

He answered it a little groggy and was grateful to hear from Anita. He kept the conversation low so he didn't wake Lily and Marta next to him. But it left him a little wonton afterwards. His fault mostly but he wasn't anry anymore.

He sat up and put Nox's pillow back against the headboard and slide out of bed. He whispered. "Just doing the adult thing, go back to bed I'll be back." He didn't want to disturb them too much.

Hayden went down stairs and knocked on the door Tatyana and the twins were staying in. He didn't wait to be let in as he opened and closed the door behind him. "You wanted to talk?" he said yawning and sitting down in the only chair in the room.

[Tatyana]

Tatyana still knelt beside the bed. She hadn’t spoken to them anymore and Maddi seemed okay with the silence. Kenzie was still sleeping. Maddi’s words still echoed in her head as Hayden came into room and sat down in the chair. The AI told him she had wanted to talk. He didn’t seem angry anymore at least.

She waited a bit before answering. She had told Liv in the heat of the moment that she didn’t want the pills anymore. She was also still under whatever healing Liv had done to make the symptoms of withdrawal less. It hadn’t worn off yet, but she could feel the cravings building up again and she could feel the pressure building in her head. But Maddi was right. She was scared of this. Scared to go clean.

Tatyana gathered her courage and faced Hayden. ”I know you…” she stopped before looking to Maddi and remembering what the girl had said and remembering her promise to try. This had been what Maddi had been talking about. Tatyana looked at her for awhile and then looked back to Hayden. ”I gave the pills to Liv,” she said, the words coming out quickly in fear that the longer she held them in, the harder it would be to say them. ”I don’t want them anymore.”

She looked down. There was more to say, but saying them required trust. Trust wasn’t easy for her to give. Her hands shook, but it was fear and not withdrawals that caused it. ”I need help - I can’t do this alone. I’m scared to do it alone.” she finally said, not looking up even though her words were sincere.

[Hayden]

Hayden listened and nodded in understanding. "You aren't alone. There's those two little girls and you have us. Doesn't seem like much I get but it's something."

Hayden sat there for a few moments in silence thinking. "You can do this in a lot of different ways. You can check into a facility, try to do it yourself on the streets, or you can stick around here. Drugs are under lock and key. Booze not so much. You'd be free to come and go. Can easily do drug tests if you feel it necessary and you can learn from the girls. I know you aren't thrilled about Nox, but he's hardly here, he's always busy and he sticks to a schedule so he's easy to avoid. The choice is yours"

[Tatyana]

Tatyana wasn’t about to check into a facility and staying here would be difficult - at least full time. She could still come here if she needed something, but she had an obligation to Zeke. She owed him and she was his fighter. She would need to be able to come and go. It would probably be on the street for most of it. She could also tell Zeke she was trying to quit. What would he say to that? But for now she was stuck here and it seemed as if they could keep her sober for the time being. It was going to suck for sure, but she had time to figure out a plan. And at least they weren’t forcing a friendship with Nox. Maybe if she got sober, someone could help her break her block, and then she wouldn’t have to meet with him at all.

She had made two promises to Maddi - to try not to push people away and be annoying, and to try to make sure that wherever they were taken, they would stay together. ”You’re going to send them away…can you at least try to make sure they stay together. They need each other,” she said, stroking Kenzie’s hair.

Tatyana knew when they were taken away, she probably wouldn’t see them again. That burned. They were her friends and meant a lot to her, but with them she didn’t want to be selfish. It would probably be better for them in general to not be influenced by her. Tatyana knew she wasn’t a good one. She was going to miss them.

[Elyse]

Sterling was a firecracker, and kind of vicious. Elyse almost felt sorry for Liam. The poor kid was being called out in front of everyone. It also made her think there was more to the story than Sterling was saying. Things had probably begun to escalate farther than they should. What had caused a hormone fueled teenage boy to back off would likely be interesting.

It came to Elyse quickly. If that was the case, they had gotten caught. There were very few areas where they could have gone where they weren’t on camera. Breaking the two apart would be a good idea. She might think she was ready, but Sterling wasn’t. Girls that age weren’t.

Even if all of that wasn’t the case, Nox could be a scary guy, and Sterling wasn’t just a kid. She was his cousin, and her parents didn’t like him. If her parents found out - well it would be rough for a lot of people. But none of that was her place - Christ how did she give this girl advice without shoving it down her throat. Sterling had a rebellious streak. Telling her not to do something would mean she’d do it on principal.

But at least Elyse was ready for some ice cream. That wouldn’t be a bad choice. ”Its not all about talking crap about boys - sometimes, you just need girl time. Come on - ice cream.” Elyse smiled and offered her hand to the wayward teen. So many hormones in such a small space. It was going to be a lot.

[Hayden]

Hayden gave her a wry smile. "I will do my best. Nox has Second Chances which is set up to handle kids like them -- they are the reason he set it up. But I can't make you a promise. They have no living relatives. They will likely go into the foster system. Kenzie won't let Nox care for them. He's tried. And that is the best way to make sure they stay together -- but..." Hayden let the words trail off. Kenzie had threatened Nox's life. Not with so much words but she had. And she was a danger to others -- she needed help Nox could no longer give her. He was probably aiding it -- making it worse.