Fallen Angel

The last thing she remembered was pressing her lips against his, feeling the cool metal of the rings in his lips. Then, her mind went dark. She was no longer in control.

Ben watched her stand, take a few steps, stumble, and fall on her hands and knees. He wasn't as high as she was, so he helped her off the ground, took her by the hand and led her back to where the rest of the group was.

This girl went hardcore. She was intense with the drugs and Ben began to think. Maybe he could get her to do more. With him. He needed a drug buddy and she was pretty. She was pretty; which made it harder for him to not take advantage of her.

Ben had his sight set on his band's bus, just a few yards away, when he heard Sophie start to cry. He stopped walking and turned to face her.

"Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" He asked, searching her glazed-over eyes for any sign of comprehension.

"Andy." She whimpered. "I want Andy."

"We'll be back soon so dry your eyes. You'll be okay." Ben said and continued walking, pulling her along behind him. It was slightly harsh, but he knew she wouldn't remember, nor did she probably care at the moment. She was too high to comprehend anything.

Sophie stumbled behind Ben the whole way. When they turned the corner to go around to the back of the bus, Jake, surprisingly the only sober one there, rushed at them and scooped Sophie into his arms.

"Sophie! There you are! Andy was worried about you. We all were."

"Andy?" She smiled. "Where is Andy?" She looked around as if she was trying to find him.

"He's back on the bus." Jake explained. "As should you be. Come on, let's get you in bed. You're completely smashed."

***

Sophie woke up the next morning with a huge headache and no memory of what happened the night before. She pulled back the curtain to her bunk and stepped out into the hallway. It seemed everyone else was still asleep. Everyone except Jake, who stood in the kitchen, pouring himself some coffee.

He looked up at the sound of her soft footsteps and gave her a weak smile. "Hey." He said.

"Hi." She greeted back, rubbing her eyes. "What happened last night?" She wondered aloud.

Jake looked at her with wide eyes. "You really don't remember what happened?"

She shook her head.

Jake brought a hand to his forehead and shook his head as well. "You were way more smashed than I thought..."

"Jake, tell me what happened. I didn't do anything stupid, did I?" She asked, worried.

"I don't know, Sophie. We got to the party and about an hour later, you went off with Ben somewhere. None of us could find you anywhere. When you came back, you were completely shit-faced."

"Oh, no, I remember that. Going off with Ben, I mean."

"How much did you drink last night? I've never seen anyone look as bad as you did last night."

"I didn't drink anything last night." She said automatically and then realized what she had said. "I mean... I don't remember...?"

Jake opened his mouth to say something but Andy's voice coming from the bunks interrupted him. "Sophie?"

"Andy... He's not too happy with you right now." Jake warned.

She sighed, reaching up to the cabinet and pulling out the bottle of aspirin pills. She knew the last thing she needed was more pills but this headache was overwhelming. She just needed the pounding inside her head to go away.

Sophie just wanted to disappear altogether. She wanted to go back to her cardboard box in the city alleyway. That sounded better than going to face angry Andy. What was she even supposed to say to him?

She pushed the door to the bunk area open and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She saw Andy standing there and braced herself for the yelling. But instead, she felt two strong arms wrap around her and pull her in.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Andy said with relief filling his tone of voice. "I thought I had lost you." He hugged her tighter.

She wrapped her arms around him as well. "I'm right here, Andy. I'm right here."