Starting over. Day 1.

[golden_bill]

Bill went to school, came home, went to bed and did nothing else for the rest of the week. He avoided his friends at school. Thursday and Friday rolled around and Bill felt scared and sick but he knew it was time to do something. Complacency was not an option

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[music_and_magic]

By far the most useful trick he'd picked up at school was apparating and in times of best friend in crisis, it was invaluable. He arrived as soon as his parents had permitted him with a backpack full of clothes, a sleeping bag and his guitar (because lets face it, he's Damien and he rarely leaves home without one).

Dami, though not happy that Billy had felt the need to turn to substances, was at least glad that they could face their individual battles with addictions together. The would watch out for each other. Lean on each other. Stand bravely together and in the end they'd be healed together. There was no doubt in the young mans mind.

He knocked on the door and waited patiently to be let in.

[golden_bill]

If there was one thing Billy could depend on, it was that Damien Dresden would always be there when he needed him. Billy knew that Damien could see him at his worst, his weakest, his least manly, his most pathetic, his lowest, and still not judge. Damien, his practically brother Damien would help him. And that's why Billy's mother permitted Dami to stay with Billy for a while. Because these two young guys? Always had each other's backs.

Not a second too soon, Billy heard the knock on his door. He rushed over and greeted Damien, helping with his stuff. Billy's cheeks were red, and his eyes were framed by stress lines. He was clad in not more than gym shorts, simply not thinking about being dressed while hiding in his room.
"Damien! You came!" Billy hugged him. "It means a lot."

[music_and_magic]

((Sorry for the slow reps. My notifs keep not making it to my inbox for some reason))

"Of course I came." He said hugging his best friend back. "Nothing would keep me from making it."

Damien noticed his friend looked tired. Not just tired, but weary and it saddened him. It wasn't right to see a sixteen year old looking so run down. Internally, he hoped a big heaping dose of best friend would help bring back some of the spark that was noticeably missing from his eyes.

He glanced around. There didn't seem to be anyone home at the moment, but he wanted to have a heart to heart and it would just be more comfortable in his room. Away from prying ears.

"We should head up to your room."

[golden_bill]

ooc ((that's okay, seems I haven't been getting all my notifs either :-( ))

Billy smiled a little bit and directed Damien to his room. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. My parents took the little ones out, don't know when they're getting back."

Once upstairs, Billy pulled on a tee shirt and a hoodie, plopping down on a bean bag chair next to Damien. "How you doing, man? Good trip?" Yes, he'd start with small talk, maybe stalling just the tiniest bit.

[icedetective]

Athena sat in front of her computer with a cup of tea, happy that she finally had the time to answer Bill's email.

Bill,

I'm happy to hear you found a meeting! Hopefully the cookies they had were better than the ones here ... (one of the women bakes every meeting, bless her heart, but store bought would be a lot safer.) Glad to hear you've found a friend already, especially one who can serve as a "This could have been you" reminder (which is a terrible way of putting it, plus he might put me out of a job!). He sounds like a good guy to keep around.

I know I said it before, but it bears repetition: I'm really proud of you for standing up and making the choices you've made the past few days. It takes a lot of guts and determination, and you've been doing great (better than I did, that's for damn sure). The first couple of weeks are the worst by far, just like quitting anything else. Your body has those cravings, but you have to fight them. It takes effort, but you'll be fine, I know

[golden_bill]

Billy smiled and printed out Athena's email, pinning it to his bulletin board. It would serve as one of the first items of his collection of "positive reminders" of those who loved him and would have his back during his recovery.

Athena,
That's exactly what I thought but didn't want to say. He's even a pre-med student, learning that was pretty much a slap in the face. Week one is down, here's hoping I (and you) can keep it up. Instead, I've taken to drinking water by the gallon, which my coaches say is good for me, but then again they don't know how much I've been peeing. I still feel more like a coward than someone with guts but thank you for saying that anyway. Talk soon.
-B

[icedetective]

Athena couldn't help but smile when she read his response, quickly typing out her own.

Okay, the peeing? Little bit on the TMI side. But hydration is good, especially for you athlete types, so keep it up.

And would you stop with the "I'm still a coward" nonsense already? You took action when it was necessary, you didn't let anyone convince you otherwise. I know you've got a spine, so act like it, or so help me I will beat it into you. And I say that with great love and affection.

Ciao,
Athena

[golden_bill]

Bill laughed and added this email to his bulletin board.

Maybe it was TMI, but maybe you need a laugh after all your hard lawyering. I truly believe you would kick a spine into me so I'll try to think differently. You're the best.
-B