K O A

I take my fingers through my sweat soaked hair. I punch the black beat up bag with all the left over force in my body.

Don slaps my bareback, coating his hand in my sweat. "You did good kid." He grabs my water bottle, pouring the remaining water on my face.

My fist slams against the bag, "Whoa, take a break kid. Your going to wear your body out."

"No!" I spit.

"Kid, take it easy!" He growls, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck.

I snatch his wrist, slamming him onto the mat beneath me. His hands shoot up in defense, "I-I'm sorry Koa, I didn't-"

I grab his arm, pulling him up. "Don't touch me Don."

He nods, "I know, I'm sorry."

I shake my head like a dog, spraying my sweat onto Don. I pull my shirt and hoodie over my head, "See you tomorrow Don."

"See you tomorrow kid." He nods before heading to the back.

I grab my duffle bag, slinging it over my shoulder and head into the cool, misty air, it's the best feeling. I pull my hood over my head, laying low from the creepy ass people around me, lurking over my shoulder.

A thick fog forms around me, making it hard to see two feet in front of me, luckily I know my way around. I raise my fist hesitantly before pounding on the bright red door. The door swings open, Sparky gives me a lopsided smile, unable to move the left side of his face due to the many years of illegal matter.

"You're in luck, I have a few ladies over." His eye always at a never-ending twitch. If you took one look at Sparky, you'd know that he's a dopehead.

I rub the back of my neck, "Nah man, I shouldn't even be here after the overdose."

He pulls a small pack of cocaine, smacking it with the back of his hand. "Come on kid, you know you want to." He coaxes, swaying his body side to side.

I wave my hand, "I.. shouldn't."

He wiggles the pack in front of me, his lip lifting into a devilish grin. "You'll enjoy it."

I lick my lips, trying to fight the urge. I raise my hand and take the packet away. "Maybe just a little."

"Yeehee!" He cheers, grabbing my wrist and pulling me in.

I form a straight white line on the back of my hand, snorting the bitter smelling substance. My throat dries up, making it hard to swallow like usual. I feel my heart rate intensify, my lips twitch into a unwonted smile. "You know what Sparky, I think I'll take one of those girls after all."

He slaps my chest with the back of his hand, "I knew you'd come around." He whistles to a blonde girl gesturing her to meet me.

She grazes her hand against my cheek, "Hi baby." She pushes me onto  the couch, colliding her artificial lips with mine, shes quick to pull my shirt off, running her fingers over my chiseled chest. "I can tell you like things kinky." She runs her pale fingers through my hair, attaching her lips to my neck.

She pulls my head into her plasticky chest, "Lets go where it's a little more private." She grabs my arm, pulling me off the couch and dragging me into a room, slamming the door shut. Pushing me onto a spare bed. She hops on top of me, unbuckling my belt.

The door swings open, banging against the wall, leaving a hole where the knob hit. "KOA!" Knox growls, his face dark red and his nostrils flared.

"Oh," I laugh hysterically, "Hey bro!" He yanks me up, losing my footing I stumble to the floor and hold my gut from laughing so hard. "Careful bro."

He picks me up and drags me outside. "What's the haps?"

His blue eyes give me a frightening glare, he looks like he could kill a person. "What the hell Koa!"

"Haha.. wha?"

"I can't believe you! After overdosing this is what you go and do? Just to overdose again." He tosses a tissue in my lap, "Clean yourself."

"Clean?"

"You have a nosebleed."

I stare at the tissue, confused as to what I should do with it. He sighs heavily, gripping the tissue and cleaning my nose off. "You have seriously got to stop Koa."

"It's not my fault dad violates me." I grin and watch the trees pass by outside the car window. "I'd be better off laying in a ditch dead somewhere."

The car comes to a sudden halt, causing me to barrel forward smashing my head against the dashboard. "Ow." I moan, rubbing my gaping head.

He turns to look at me, eyes wide. "Never say that again. Do you understand me?"

I chuckle, "I wish I was dead."

He shakes his head glumly, like his heart had sunk. He presses his hands to his eyes holding them there, staying silent.

"What's the matter amigo? Cactus got your tongue?"

"It's cat."

"Where's a cat?" I jump in my seat, unable to contain my excitement.

"It's cat got your tongue."

I laugh, wiggling my finger in his face. "I don't think so."

"Koa you-"

"Knox, where's the cat?"

"There is no cat, Koa!" He seethes.

I sniffle and sigh, "Ah man! I wanted to see the damn cat!"

Knox takes a deep breath, wiping his eyes. "Koa."

"Yes?"

"You need to stop saying you want to die."

"But it's true."

"Yeah," he nods, "the more you say it, the more you'll start believing it."

I squint my eyes at him, "You're a wise one, Knox Roman Whiley."

"Aye! Don't use my middle name when I'm not the one on trial! You buddy are the one on trial Mr.Koa Oaklin Whiley."

My eyes widen, I pull the small bag out of my pocket, opening the bag.

"SHIT KOA!" He yanks the bag away, tossing it out the window.

"NO!" I scream, "Stop the car! Stop the car!"

"No Koa! You need to calm down!"

"No! I-I-I need it! Knox you don't understand!"

"Don't give me that bullshit, Koa. You do not need it!"

"No I do!" I shake my head viciously as my hands start to tremble. "Stop, please, just stop!" I cry into my hands. "I need it." I sob.

"Koa stop."

"I need it, Knox, please just stop." I beg, tears pouring down my cheeks. "Please.."

"Koa quit."

"No," I wipe my runny nose and brush away the constant tears streaming down my face. "You don't understand Knox, please."

He slams on the break, turning to me with tears in his eyes, edging their way out. "Why do you need it so bad?"

"Because I just do."

"No," he shakes his head side to side, "You need a reason."

I roll my hands into fists, yanking at my hair. "Because I have dads eyes."

-

O P A L

"YES!" Polli shoots her hands in the air in victory. "I won you losers!"

"Every time!" Marci exasperates, banging her hand against the coffee table. "She always wins!"

"Because I'm actually good at it." She sticks her pink tongue out at Marci.

"Your not good at it, the game is pure luck."

"Girls girls girls!" Mom coos, "It's just a game." She grins.

Dad chuckles, "It's no surprise Marci, she's won every game this year."

"Yeah she's a cheater."

"Whatever I won you loser."

I giggle as I watch the pair bicker like every game night. "When's Cory getting here? I'm starving!"

"Patience Opal, he'll be here soon." Marci assures me. "Just have another bread roll."

"But I want actual food."

"I can't believe your dating my teacher and I can't even score an A." Polli pouts.

Marci chuckles, "Well that's what you get for cheating."

She scoffs, "I do not cheat."

"It doesn't matter Polli, you already have an A in his class." I tell her.

She crosses her arms and huffs, "Still. No homework would be nice."

"Yeah you wish." Marci eggs her on. The door bell sings it's chime. "Oh that must be him!" She chirps, scattering over to the door. She glances at herself in the hall mirror and quickly fixes her hair before opening the door. "LEELAN!" She exclaims.

I push myself off the ground and run to the open door. "Leelan!" I jump into his arm, he spins me around and squeezes me tightly.

"Hey Opal! I've missed my gorgeous sisters." He smiles, giving the three of us a group hug.

"Leelan!" My mom cries, "This is such a lovely surprise!"

Leelan wraps his arms around mom, pulling her in tight as she sobs into his chest. "I've missed you to mom!"

My dad grins.

"Dad." I squint my eyes at him, trying to read his eyes, "Did you do this?"

"That he did little sis." Leelan pats my dads back as he gives him a quick hug, "Good to see you dad, I've missed you guys."

"Oh! You'll have to tell us about all the places you've been." Mom squeals.

The door bell rings Marci does a quick happy dance before composing herself. "That's him!"