Free Trouble by P.L. Jenkins Page A

they get what they want they leave. I become another mark on the bedpost and they go onto the next girl. Not anymore. I am taking control. Chad’s a nobody now.” He runs his hands through his hair obliviously frustrated.
                  “You are not making sense Lannie.” I move forward and take a few breaths.
                  “I’m falling in love with you. Weird huh? Haven’t even know you until two months ago and then last weekend, it was fun. You didn’t judge me and then you show up here before I left yesterday. Ugh. So this between us is done. You are my teacher and I am the student. That is it.” I walk into my house, slamming the door all while falling onto the ground. I have to remain calm as I dig my cell out of my bag. I power it on and hurry up and send a text to Ashley.
                  Ashley: At home, having a big panic attack.
                  That was the last thing I remembered before blacking out.
     
                  “Lannie, get up.” I roll over and see Ashley’s face staring at me.
                  “Yeah?” She smiles her big smile showing her perfect white teeth.
                  “I have a surprise for you. Come get up and put your bikini on. Oh, your mom called they won’t be home until the will has been read. It supposed to be done Wednesday, but who knows. You think they will move there?” I didn’t get what she meant. Why would they move there?
                  “I am getting up. What time is it?” She throws my phone at me and all I see is a text from Brandon.
                  Brandon: Hope your morning is going better than mine .
                  Me: I wish you would tell me who you are. Until than please do not text me. Thank you and goodbye.
    Brandon: Okay. Bye.
    I throw the covers off and decide a shower was good. I don’t remember yesterday, which means that Ashley gave me more medicine on top of what I took on the plane. I get out of the shower; I need to take control of my life. No more J and no more Brandon was a start.
                  “La, you ready? Gage is here.” Why is Gage here? I throw my bikini on, a tank top, shorts, flip flops and then finally throw my hair into a pony. Grab my phone and walk out the door.  I love my phone case, it’s a wallet and case all in one.
                  “I am here, hey Gage.” He takes me into a bear hug, which makes me giggle.
                  “I want to take you guys to my buddies BBQ at his beach house. He’s having a little Sunday get together. This day two years ago he lost his little brother. I think that it will be good for him to have friends.” He smiles at me.
                  “Who is your friend?” He shifts and looks at Ashley before me.
                  “Oh no, I am not going.” I turn around, but Ashley stops me.
                  “Lannie, Gage told me something and I always go with you on things and you know that. I think this is best if you go and talk to him. Seriously I think that it will help you a lot.” I nod my head and walk with them. I don’t want to face him. J was the last person I wanted to see. Maybe it will be best to talk shit through to where school won’t be awkward. We get into Gage’s big truck and drove all the way to the same beach house the party was held at. That is how he knew I was going to go. We pull up and park and I notice a few cars in the driveway, but not many. We step out and I mentally start freaking out.
                  “Gage, I need a cigarette! Please. Now. Or I’m going to end up taking another pill.” He looks at Ashley who nods, he pulls one out of his pack, lights it for me, and hand it to me. I blow out the smoke staring at it and just realizing I found my new addiction than those pills. This was taking the stress of the world off me. Ashley and Gage head in