summary: Y/n is new at Worthington and looking for a fresh start. she meets some friends and a guy who has the same rule as her they don't drink. So when they become Sober buddies tensions rise not just with her friends but between CJ and her. Read to find out more!
AN: So I will probably just be making fanfiction for CJ. The storyline will mainly be in season six.
series warnings: Smut eventually, Alcohol, Alcoholism, swearing, Talk about SA
Summary: Y/n is new at college and trying to find a footing in everything. When she meets a guy who introduces her to something that could really help find her path.
warnings : Swearing
WC/ 2.3k
AN/ Hey Ya'll welcome to my serious I'm so excited to make this series. So it will use some plot lines from season six but a lot will change including CJ but his key character notes will still be there. Without further ado enjoy Sober buddies.
I got the divider from
Firefly Graphics
College, was an escape from my life at home, something I had always wanted. And in Boston: my dream since I was a freshman in high school. At Worthington, I had worked so hard to get here, and I finally did. It's about two weeks away from the start of school and today I get to check out my dorm that I’m sharing with two other girls- which should be fun, hopefully. I walked into the room where three beds were barely fitting together. I put my things on the middle bed when the door bursts open. “Uh, who the hell are you?” I turn and a pretty blond girl is standing there.
“Um, I'm Y/N, your roommate, nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand and she looks down at it like it was covered in shit. “Okay, I'm just going to assume that you're a germaphobe.”
“Don't mind her, she's Audrey, and I'm Joey.” This girl, a brunette, actually shakes my hand. “Y/N, I'm so happy this worked out!” Audrey looks confused. “Well, she needed a place and thought, why not us?” Joey explained to Audrey, who looked like you had killed her dog in front of her.
“I promise I won't be annoying. I will even let you have the first shower of the morning Audrey.” I tried to appeal to her queen bee side.
“Fine you can stay, but don’t touch my clothes, okay?”
I raise my right hand in the air as if swearing an oath. “I promise and cross my heart and all that.” Hopefully these girls and I can become friends and Audrey won't kill me in my sleep for accidentally grabbing her dress.
It had been a couple of weeks- and it was now one week before school started. Audrey and I hadn't really been besties, but Joey and I had a pretty great rapport going on. I was looking at my classes and trying to get a handle on what I should be studying, when Audrey came bursting in. “Omg oh my gosh, do you know where Joey is?”
I looked around. Clearly not, I thought. “I don't know Audrey, I think studying at the library, maybe.” Audrey sits down on her bed with a huff.
“Why is she studying? School doesn't even start for another week,” Audrey sighs. I knew that Joey’s English class was stressing her out.
“Um, probably for her English class, I heard it's super hard.”
“Right, little Miss Perfect does the super hard class and will probably get all A’s.” I could tell by the tone of her voice that this was mostly a projection of whatever had happened that she needed to talk to Joey about.
“You know, Audrey, you could always talk to me. I can guarantee you that I've faced a similar problem.” She gives me a dirty side eye but gives in.
“I guess since you're the only one here.”
“Great, I love being the last choice.” I set down my books and sit down on the ground criss-cross applesauce style. She rolls her eyes at me.
“Shush my problems, remember.”
“Yes, I do,” I reply.
“Well, I was at the bar with my boyfriend. His name is Pacey.” I nod my head trying to keep up. “And we were playing pool when this gothic hot chick came walking up- and this is the woman that he wants to live with!” Audrey threw her arms up in a dramatic flare.
“I'm confused, Audrey. Number one: what do you mean by living with her and two: why would that be a problem?” She looks shocked by my answer.
“What do you mean, ‘what do I mean’? She's hot, he wants to move, and she has space in her apartment.”
“Okay, but I'm still confused as to why it would be bad to move to a better place.” At my response, I notice Audrey is becoming more impatient.
“Because Duh! Y/N, she's hot!”
It seems like this girl has a whole lot of issues- but I'm not one to talk on that. “Look, Audrey, do you trust Pacey?” She doesn't even hesitate.
“Yes but-”
“There's your answer.”
“But-”
“But, you trust your boyfriend, and that’s what matters, even if the girl is a supermodel. If he's as good as you make him sound, then he won't even look in her direction.” Audrey takes that in.
“I guess you're right, you know, you're not half bad L/N.” She gives me a little respectful nod.
“Same to you, Lindell.”
School was happening tomorrow, and I had thankfully gotten all things done. Now, I had more time to get to know Jen and her grandma, who were really sweet so far. They are sitting at a table and I go to them. “Hey Jen, Evelyn.” I greeted as I sat.
“Oh please sweetheart, call me Grams, everyone does.” She smiles at me warmly.
“Okay great! If it's okay with you, what are we talking about?” Jen has no problem catching me up.
“Well, Y/N, Grams here has only picked up a math book because of a certain someone who teaches it.”
“Aww, I think that's cute.” Jen did not agree with me.
“l think it's a slippery slope. l mean, one minute you're taking an interest, and the next...you're sublimating your own thoughts and desires, and for what? For a chance to participate in the great patriarchal heterosexist fraud…”
“...that is better known as monogamy?” I answer in her pause. She gives me a quick look.
“ls that how you wanna spend your golden years? Folding some man's laundry and pretending to share an interest? l mean, haven't we come further as a sex--?” She stops and looks behind me. And she stares for a second.
“Hi. I'm sorry, are we bothering you?” Jen asked the stranger behind me. I got curious enough and turned to see one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. “Because if it's not too much trouble, you could get your own conversation.”
“No. Sorry.” He apologized but I had a feeling he wasn't done yet. “I've been sitting there trying to figure out where l met you before… and suddenly I realized I've never met you before.” I chuckle at that.
“Great. Well, I'm really glad that we got that figured out,” Jen states, blandly.
“I've heard you on the radio.” I knew he wasn't done.
“Jen, you were on the radio? I never knew!” I exclaimed while hitting her arm in excitement.
“Ow! And you didn't know because it's not important. And you.” She turned back to the guy. “Okay, you got me. I'm busted. l was on the radio. But I'm not anymore, so thank you very much for listening, and bye-bye.” She tried to end the conversation.
“So, did you get fired, or what?” The man continued.
“What is this, an interview?” Jen looks annoyed.
“I'm just curious.”
“Well, let's just say that l had some artistic differences with the new management.” Well, that sucks she had to give that up because of a dick in a suit, I thought. “Fine. Then we'll just say that,” Jen concludes.
“Fine.” The man replies. Then Grams comes in for the clutch.
“Excuse me, young man. Would you care to join us?”
Grams had gone, I assume, to talk to the particular professor teaching math. While the guy had joined us.
“I'm CJ.”
“Y/N, and this radio host is Jen.” She rolls her eyes and I nudge her.
“It's nice to meet you two.”
“You too, CJ.” We had gotten on the subject of where we were living, and Jen mentioned that she is currently living with her grandma.
“No, l think it's nice.”
“Yeah, that's what everybody says. ‘Oh, you live with your grandma. That's so sweet,’. How do they know l don't beat her and leave her tied to the radiator all winter?”
“Ah, so that's the screaming I hear when I come over.” I added in. CJ laughed at my joke.
“ls this a cry for help?” CJ asked Jen.
“Do l look like l need help?”
“No. Actually, you look like someone who'd probably be good at giving it.” Jen hears that and immediately gets up and begins leaving, practically running for the hills.
“This has happened to me before. This religion thing is not really–” She is already halfway down the stairs.
“Ha, just one Second CJ,” I say. He gives me a friendly smile.
“Sure.” I went after her.
“Jen, wait- we should hear him out.”
“Y/N, he was totally giving weird vibes. Are you coming?” I looked back and I felt something.
“I think I'll stay.”
“Well, call me if you need help out of the cult and remember nine for Joey’s surprise.”
“Gotcha.” With that, she leaves. I turn back to CJ trying to think of some good reason.
“Hey, uh, so she had to leave for a class.” We sat back down.
“No she didn't, class doesn't start till tomorrow.” I give a small smile.
“You're right, sorry.”
“It's okay I know everyone isn't for the whole ‘helping thing,’ but you're still here.” I looked around and he was right, I was, which was weird for me too.
“I guess I am- uh, you said something about helping people?” I question.
“Right- um… no matter how I say this I'm going to sound like a dork. Have you ever heard of The Stand?” He looks at me like he expects me to run away.
“No, no, I never have. I just moved here from Cali so I don't know a lot of stuff here. What's The Stand?” CJ gets this look of confidence.
“It’s a peer counseling program.” I think about it.
“So I help people.”
“Yes yes exactly! There's an information session tonight at seven.” He hands me a pamphlet on it.
“I'll be there and maybe I can convince Jen that this is not a cult,” He says, with a small chuckle.
“That would be great! I can't wait to see you there.” He pats my shoulder in a friendly way and he leaves. I felt a sensation of butterflies rising up from my stomach, but I quickly grabbed a fly swatter and squished them.
I had walked over to Jen’s house. “Hey, was escaping the cult hard?” I sat down on the couch laughing at her joke.
“Very funny Jen, actually he was talking about the stand. Have you heard about that?” She gives me a comical look.
“Yes, it's a call line where people call to complain about who's dating who and if the professor is going to give them an A or not.”
“I thought it was a little more serious than that,” I replied. “Well, whatever it is, I'm going to go to the information session tonight. You should come; if CJ was right about anything, it is that you would be good with helping people.” She sighs and glances down.
“Ok fine I'll go. We can pick up Joey’s gift after. And are you sure that you're not doing this just because CJ is ungodly hot?”
“No, I mean it helps, but he's not the reason I'm going to go.” I wish there was something like this when I was going through… no, I'm not going to think about that. I'm here to move on from that.
Jen and I went into the building and it was covered in inspiring posters and quotes. “On the nose much?” Jen commented, scanning the room.
“I like it, let's get a good seat.” Which wouldn't be hard. There were tons of spots; I guess the word didn't get out. The speaker started and I was trying hard to listen, but Jen- not so much.
“So as l was saying, most of what we do around here. is simply information and referrals. And 99 times out of 100 just reminding someone to take a deep breath and to keep on breathing is enough. Tomorrow will be another day. For you too. Which brings me to our number one rule around here: Never be afraid to ask for a hug at the end of a tough day.” At that Jen left. I leave my bag.
“Jen, wait, wait!”
“I'm sorry Y/N, I can't do that. If you want to stay, great, but I can't. I'll see you later.” She turns to leave.
“Jen!” I sadly go back to my space on the couch. I go to look at my notes when the space next to me gets seated.
“You came.” I swung my head and CJ was right there.
“Yeah, I did.”
“So, there's the coffee maker, and here's the mini fridge that definitely is working.” CJ tells me as he shakes his head, indicating sarcasm.
“Ha, and I definitely won't smell any weird smells from here.”
“Yes definitely.” We both laughed and I looked at the window and it had gotten dark.
“Wow, time really does fly.”
“So, what made you want to stay?” He looks at me with those piercing green eyes.
“Because I know a place like this would have been amazing for me when I was younger, so If I can help someone avoid those feelings that I went through, then I'm for it a hundred percent.” CJ heard me and truly felt I meant it.
“That's the same reason I did it.”
“Really? That's so cool!” I exclaimed happily. “So, what do you do for fun? I haven't been here for long, so if you know of any places...” He thinks about it.
“Yeah I mean the typical places like bars, clubs, parties.”
“Would you want to go to one together?” I asked abruptly which I never did, especially with people I just met.
“I totally would, but it wouldn't be much fun.”
“Why?” I asked. He hesitates for a second, pondering something.
“…I don't drink.”
“Oh my gosh, that's amazing!” I heard what I just said and felt embarrassed. “I'm sorry, that sounded super weird, but I don't drink either.”
“Wow, it's hard to find a college girl not drinking.” CJ searches my eyes.
“True, but it's what's best for me and I'm sure for you. What about this: we’ll be each other's sober buddies.”
“Sober buddies?”
“Yeah, when we are at the same parties, we’ll make sure the other won't even look at drinks.” He thinks about it for a second and I look at the clock. “Shit I'm going to be late and then Audrey is going to kill me.” I grab my stuff and run to the door but before I leave I turn back. “CJ sober buddies?” He gives me a smirk and nods.
“Sober buddies.”
I will get chapter two out as soon as possible thank you for reading!
Summary: Y/n is new at college and trying to find a footing in everything. When she meets a guy who introduces her to something that could really help find her path.
warnings: Alcoholism, Carcrash, Swearing
WC:2.094
divider from
Firefly Graphics
Beep Beep Beep… “Uh, Audrey turn it off,” I mumble from my head buried in my pillow trying to ignore the annoying alarm that Audrey had set. I wouldn’t usually be this annoyed but I had class in three hours so that meant I had to be up in an hour. But still nothing. I sigh and get up to turn off the alarm and realize that Audrey is not here. “What the hell?” I picked up my phone and called her.
“Hello?” She clearly just woke up.
“Auds, where are you? Your alarm is going off for class and guess what- YOU'RE NOT HERE!” I raised my voice, annoyed. Somehow, Joey is still sleeping through all of this.
“Sorry N/n, Pacey and I, well…we made up last night, more than once if you catch my drift.”
I shuddered at the innuendo. “Ugh yes, please no details. Are you coming soon? Your class starts in like thirty minutes.” I checked the clock just to make sure. She pauses and I hear some shifting of sheets.
“Uh yes I will be, Pacey stop,” She giggled now, Pacey starting another round of “making up”. “N/n, I will be there, Pacey you bad bo-” I hung the phone not wanting to hear that. I look at Joey and wonder how she is still sleeping. I glance in her ears and see earbuds, Aha, so this is a pattern. The time now was six thirty. I had class at eight thirty; might as well get up now.
What a great way to start Halloween.
I barely made it through all my classes. And three, I repeat, three guys thought it was so funny to scream in my face for a “Halloween prank”. After I gave them nothing for a reaction, they called me a bitch. The joke’s on them- I did get something out of it, hearing damage. And the pumpkin on top? I started my period. I was on theme without even meaning to be. I drag my feet through Hell’s Kitchen hoping Joey can slide me some fries under the table. I walk in and see Joey but also see a cute guy very close to her.
“Hey Jo, you think you can swipe some free fries for your favorite roommate?” I sat down at the bar and gave a knowing smile.
“Yeah, of course, I’ll be right back.” She goes to the kitchen and this leaves me alone with the mystery man.
“So what’s your name?” I ask nosily. I had no idea who kept my friend’s attention like this since the last guy, Dawson.
“Eddie, and you are Y/n.” He said matter of factly whipping down the counter.
“You know my name?”
“Yeah Joey talks about you all the time and that you helped with her whole email thing. In my book, you're a pretty good friend.” Eddie gave me a soft smile.
“Well thank you, but I don’t know you that well, so you got to work for a spot in my book, buddy,” I teased.
He laughs at my silly empty challenge. “Deal.”
“Here you go.” Joey slides fries to me.
“Thank you!” I dig into the salty temporary happy pills.
“N/n, you have any plans tonight?” Joey asked and I gulped.
“Uh, no, Halloween is not really my thing.” I look at the food wishing it would swallow me.
“I thought you would, it seems like your holiday.” It used to be, I thought.
“Yeah, it just causes headaches for me. Well, would you look at that? I have to get to work, see you later!” I shoved the rest of the fries in and practically ran out the door.
I walk into the stand and the office is overly decorated with ghosts and witches. The air smelled of a sickenly sweet pumpkin patch with a hint of smoke from the candle wick burning profusely.
I plop down my stuff and set up the phone line to be activated and wait for the first call. Everyone seemed so happy and peppy that it was Halloween: the night of drunken endeavors and the next morning trips to the toilet because of overconsuming alcohol and candy. I swing back and forth in my chair, only getting one phone call from an old lady thinking that I was her granddaughter, who proceeded to tell me about her hemmorroids for two hours. Well, at least I helped someone.
“Here you go.” A coffee was placed in front of me, and I looked up to see C.J.
“Aw, thank you, I could really use it.” I picked it up, the warmth spreading through my fingers, making this cold day a little warmer.
C.J. jumped on my desk, picking up a chip and snacking on it. “Do you have any plans for tonight?” He asked through bites of the chip.
“Haha, no, except if you count watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns.”
“Ah, so you a Buffy girl?”
“Oh for sure, Buffy is my comfort show that I could never get tired of. Plus, I love monster shows. It's just a shame there haven’t been any good ones lately. I wonder when the next one will come out. What about you?”
“Working the night shift, then Halloween H20 on cable. Well since we both have such big plans, want to skip them and go to a party or something?” He finishes with a smile and I look up at him and my heart quickens for a second, weird.
“Uh no, thanks for the offer though. It's not that I don’t want to hang, I'm just tired. I even said no to Jack and Jen but let's go do something tomorrow ‘kay?” I get up and go to the bathroom. I didn’t really need to go, but I couldn’t handle the pressure building in my chest anymore thinking about that night.
Halloween, three years ago
I put on my sexy pirate costume and throw back a shot of tequila.
“Oh my gosh drinking already, you are going to be halfway drunk by the time we get there!” My best friend Crystal said to me. I put on my eyepatch and boots.
“That’s the idea if I have to hear another pathetic attempt by Robbie to ask me out again.” I giggled. “Now, let's go party like there’s no tomorrow!” I throw another shot back and grab my keys.
Present time
I was still at work and it was almost nine. I had taken another shift on top of mine. They had called in to blow off work and their reasoning was: “It’s Halloween who wants to be stuck there!” I couldn’t really blame him. If I could just enjoy the night I would.
“You’re still here?” C.J. stated to me. I twist around in my chair to face him.
“Yeah, Barry called out in his very convincing excuse of ‘I want to go party’ and I don’t blame him. He does owe me any call-out day I want, so who won, really?” I raised my eyebrows up and down in a funny way.
He laughs at my joke. “Yeah definitely, well um, I was invited to a party by Jen and I know you have such an important date with Buffy, but would you like to maybe tag along? David is coming.”
I'm about to let him down easily again but then I look up into his trusting green eyes and for some reason I say…
“Yes I’ll go, fine you convinced me.” I pick up my stuff and head to the door and then walk backward to him. “But I am not wearing a costume.”
We walk into the building and of course everything is decked out in decorations and everyone is in costumes except us three. We see Jack and Jen and go over.
“Y/n, what are you doing here?” Jen hugged me.
“Ah, this guy dragged me along.” I bumped C.J.’s shoulder. I then notice the eyes between David and Jack, read the room, and decide to get some food.
“Uh, I'm going to get some witch’s brew. Does anyone want anything?” Everyone says no. I walk over to the table.
I glanced over the table, and there was a lot of booze and minimal food. Old me would love this.
Halloween, three years ago
“Chug Chug!” Some frat boys were screaming at me and I was downing a whole bottle of scotch. Yes, it tastes disgusting, but I'm not exactly going for flavor when drinking.
“And that’s a record boys, try to keep up!” I brought down the bottle and wiped my lips from the stinging feeling left by the booze. And my view was starting to blur.
“Y/n, are you ok?” I tilted my head to the direction of the voice; it was Crystal.
“Yeah of course I am, why do I not look good!?” I was barely standing and I had a little dried vomit on my dress.
“Okay well, we should get home.” She said, her voice laced with worry.
“Oh come on, it’s not even-” My eyes then drifted to the clock reading one thirty and we had left my house at nine.
“Okay you’re right let’s go.” I grab my keys.
“Wait Y/n, maybe I should drive.”
“Crystal, I'm fine now. Do you want to walk home, or do you want me to drive?” I said to her in a commanding voice. Oh, how I wish she had taken the wheel that night.
Present time
“C.J. is looking pretty cute tonight, right?” Jen asked, pulling me out of my flashback.
“Huh? Oh yeah, I guess.” I sipped my fruit punch trying to hide from the question.
“Oh come on, you haven't noticed how hot he is at all since all the time you guys spend together.” She was so puzzled about how I couldn’t.
“Well I know he is, I just don’t see that. He’s way more like a friend than anything, but you are asking so that means you're interested.”
“Yeah, I do, I just wanted to make sure he was available to go after.” That’s one of the many things I liked about Jen; she was loyal to her friends.
“Go for it, girl.” I patted her shoulder, and she gave me her signature smile and was on her way. But watching her go for him—I didn’t know how to explain it, but I didn't like seeing it.
It was nearing the end of the night and we were leaving the party, thank God, but C.J. made it bearable.
Jack and David were talking and I overheard talks of a coffee date. I'm happy someone had a good Halloween. But I also heard Jen and C.J.’s conversation and her majority hinting at a date between them, but C.J. turned her down.
“See you later Y/n!” Jack and Jen waved at me.
“Can I walk you home?” C.J. asked.
“Yes please, I don’t need any more pranks tonight.” We both laughed and started to walk.
“So, I saw you and Jen.”
“Yeah.” CJ said, flatly.
“So, is there anything there?” I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
“No, I don’t think so,” He replied, to my shock.
“Why?” I said, halting in my tracks.
“Just not the girl I’m looking for.” What does that mean?
“Y/N LOOK OUT!” In an instant, a car flashed its lights and almost crashed into us.
Halloween, three years ago
“Y/n, I think we need to talk.” Crystal hesitated from the passenger seat.
“About what?” My eyes were barely staying open.
“Your drinking.”
“What the fuck about my drinking!?” Now I was pissed.
“Well, I think it’s gett- Y/N LOOK OUT!” Lights out. I had crashed into another car.
We were both knocked out. I eventually opened my eyes and saw Crystal.
“CRYSTAL!” I screamed. There was blood all over her.
“Y/n, are you okay!” C.J. was shaking me from the shock. I finally looked at him and just grabbed onto him. It felt like that night had just happened.
“I am now.”
“Thanks for everything.” We walked back to the dorm very carefully.
“Anytime, Sober Buddie.” He responded and tears rose again. I smiled and walked into my room. There sitting in the dark is Audrey.
“Audrey?” She was crying so much.
“He doesn’t love me.”
“Oh, Audrey.” I just cradled her in the dark, just like how I hoped someone had done for me.
Sober buddies Chapter two: Email chains and party facts
Summary: Y/n is new at college and trying to find a footing in everything. When she meets a guy who introduces her to something that could really help find her path.
warnings: Swearing, Alluding to SA, Y/n getting hurt
WC/ 3.029k
AN/ Hey Ya'll welcome to my series I'm so excited to make this series. So it will use some plot lines from season six but a lot will change including CJ but his key character notes will still be there. Without further ado enjoy Sober buddies.
I got the divider from
Firefly Graphics
Friends…I haven’t had one in a while. Jack, Jen, Joey, Pacey, even Audrey, and I had become quick ones. I just hope I won't mess up these friendships too. Joey was going through the ringer right now. I know how it feels. She and Dawson always seemed to have something pulling them apart from what I've been told about their previous years as friends.
I went out to get some coffee and doughnuts hoping that would cheer her up. “Hi, can I please get three americanos and some chocolate glazed doughnuts?” I told the underpaid employee.
“Yeah, sure.” I reached into my pocket, pulled out a twenty, and handed it to her. Her face lit up. “Thank you!”
“No problem. Thank you, and have a great day!” I was mostly focused on the coffee and food that I almost ran into with my sober buddy. “Hey CJ, what’s up?” He looked down at the close mess in my hands.
“Coffee, it looks like it needs some help?”
“Oh my gosh yes please!” I handed him the coffee.
“Where we heading?”
“My dorm,” I happily replied. We walked and the morning air was still a little crisp and the sunlight was hitting the trees to make pretty shadows on the sidewalk.
“So, are you excited to start training?” CJ asked me as I was a little distracted by the lighting.
“Yes I am, it's also going to be good to be away from Audrey and all her dramatic flair. I mean, she’s great but it's like looking through a mirror sometimes.”
“What do you mean by that?” CJ asked and I realized what I said and tried to backpedal.
“Uh, you know, girls being girls.” Ok, that was not a very good response. “So who’s training me?” I try to distract both of us. It works.
“Me.” I stop in my step.
“That’s awesome!” I excitedly say.
“You get happy easily, don’t you?” CJ half commented and half asked me with a chuckle.
“Is that a bad thing?” I hope it wasn’t- it’s kind of what I’m betting on I thought.
“No no, it’s kind of refreshing.” We had already arrived at my dorm. I stopped to look at him and to think about his response- no one had said that to me before. I looked around and it seemed, for just a second, time stood still.
“Well, thanks for the help and I’ll see you tomorrow, ok!” I grabbed the coffee and went into the room, pushing him out.
“You’re wel-” I closed the door. It was getting a little too… real.
The sight I walked into was sad. Joey was hunched over her laptop, agonizing over this email to Dawson that she hadn’t even sent. I put down the drinks and food, walked over and turned off her computer.
“Wha- Y/N!” Joey whipped around.
“Joey, you have been staring at that screen for two hours, the entire time I’ve been gone, and you still have only ‘Dear Dawson’ written. You need a break.” I picked up her doughnut and coffee and handed them to her in her baffling state. “Which is why I got you these.” She breathes in deeply.
“You’re right, thank you Y/N.”
I sit down on my bed and turn to Joey. “So, now you have caffeine and food. You want to tell me why you haven’t sent the email yet?” I finished by sipping my coffee. Joey sighs looking into her cup almost wishing she could drown in it.
“I’m stuck.”
“Why?” She gets up and starts to pace back and forth.
“Because of the way we left things were so awkward and I just wanted to scream and hug him at the same time.” I patted the seat next to me and she sat down.
“It sounds like you know what to say.” Joey looks puzzled. “Joey, Dawson is one of your best friends. Whatever is in that email, at least you have gotten it out. I'm sure he’s stressing out over a similar email to you.” She seems unsure. “You can always blame me if it goes wrong.” I joked as I bumped her. She smiled at that.
“Thank you Y/N, you’re a pretty great friend.”
“You are too, Joey.”
That night as I was closing my eyes, my mind was active. My life is going pretty great! I have friends that like me, a job I help people with, a guy that is-
“Y/N WAKE UP!”
I screamed as I tumbled out of bed causing Audrey to wake up too. “WHAT IS IT? EARTHQUAKE- A FIRE?!” I responded as I was half asleep and panicked disorderly grabbing my robe.
It was Joey who screamed at me. “No, nothing like that!” I paused to look at her.
“Then why the Hell the military wake-up call!?” Her face was red from being embarrassed.
“I sent the email to the whole school!” My eyes went wide as Audrey replied.
“Well, why did you do that, sweetie?”
“Audrey! Not helping!” I told her over my shoulder. She grubbles and falls back down with a flop.
“I don’t know what to do!” She sat down throwing her hands in her face.
“Okay, this is what we do: we ignore it.” She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
“Y/N! What do you mean, ignore it!?”
“Well, it’s not like everyone knows you so maybe you can get away with it?” I tried to help but honestly, she would just have to face the music.
Thankfully I hadn’t heard about the email, but to be fair, I hadn’t been in a lot of classes. I walked into The Stand building and saw CJ sitting on a desk looking over some papers. He was so focused on it that he didn’t see me enter.
“What are we looking at?” I slide right next to him.
“Y/N! You startled me.” He put his hand over his chest as if I caused a heart attack.
“Sorry, I thought you saw me.”
“It’s okay. I’m looking over a few practice questions to ask you.”
“Great, I’m ready!” He smiles at my enthusiasm and sits down in the chair.
“Okay, question number one….”
It had been about an hour into our session ten questions in and I had been nailing all of them. “Wow Y/n you’re a natural at this,” CJ exclaimed.
“Really?” He nods his head agreeably.
“You will be answering phones in no time.” I blush and try to hide by turning my head down when my ears peak an interesting conversion.
“CJ- give me one sec, okay.” I didn’t even let him answer before I overheard another conversation and listened in.
“I mean, did you see that email? It’s so pathetic.” A redheaded girl was sitting on a desk laughing at her boy-toy whose eyes were going right up her skirt.
“Yeah, it’s so pathetic haha,” He mindlessly responded. Of course, he didn’t have an original thought. The only thought he did have was what was below the waistline. “I mean who writes about sex like that.” She laughed again and this time her laugh really irritated my ears.
“Hey guys!” I walked over to them, taking a friendly approach- maybe I could go about this peacefully. The redheaded girl looked me up and down and scoffed.
“What the fuck do you want loser?” My eyes widened at that and CJ turned his head to hear that.
“Linsey!” Even the boy-toy was surprised at her response. CJ walks over quickly ready to defend me.
“CJ- it’s okay, I got this,” I said to him making sure that he didn’t get too mad. He steps back but is disgruntled. I turn back to Linsey.
“It was Linsey, right?” She gets up off the desk and in front of me.
“Yeah, what’s it to you?”
“Well, I’m just wondering why you’re making fun of a girl that you don't even know when you’re working at a helpline. Seems kind of hypocritical, don't you think?” Lindsey is left speechless and her face turns beat red.
“I- You-” She stomps out. “Ryan let’s go!” She yelled after him.
“So, you doing anything after this?” The guy tried so smoothly to ask me.
“RYAN! LET’S GO!” She yelled after him.
“I think your owner is calling for you,” I responded and his F-boy smile disappeared.
“Whatever bitch, you could have had all this.” I now scoff at him.
“Yeah, if all it takes for you to stay is an open invitation to someone’s legs who makes fun of strangers like that, then I think I’m good.” I nod at him. He goes running after Linsey. “Sorry CJ about that, what was the next question?” I walked back over to him and he was just staring at me. “What is it?”
He shakes his head, “Nothing, you just seem to surprise me every time we meet, Y/N.” He finishes with a smile.
“Well, I have to keep you on your toes somehow.” We just laughed at my joke and I’m left with this feeling of…comfort that I hadn’t felt in a while. It's nice.
A couple of days have passed, and luckily the email talk died down a little. I didn't tell Joey about Linsey because it would have just made things worse for her. I was studying when Audrey came running into the room.
“Y/N what are you doing?” I looked at the book and then back at her we really needed to work on context clues.
“Studying, Audrey, which you should be doing too. We have a test next week.” She comes right next to me.
“Y/N, all you do is study.”
“Not true… I eat too.” I chuckled at my own joke Audrey did not.
“It is the biggest party of the year! You’re coming!” Before I have time to reject she grabs my book and locks it in her chore.
“Audrey!”
“You will get it back at the end of the night.” She saw my disappointed downfall look and got to my level. “You need some fun, Y/N, you are twenty-two; the books will be there tomorrow, but tonight will not.” I thought about it, Audrey was right. I needed to let loose- hopefully the loud music and friends would help that.
“Okay, I’ll go.” Audrey claps in happiness.
“You’re not going to wear that are you?” I look down at my simple outfit.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing- nothing, you look great!” Audrey responds in a not-so-sure voice.
We had gone into a bar to meet up with Jack and Jen. “Hey guys.”
“Hey.” Audrey goes to call Pacey while the three of us chat. Suddenly, Audrey comes back to us with a sad face.
“I think I’m going to go home guys.” Jen and I both look at each other as if to say: really.
“Audrey, the whole reason I came out was because of you.” I took her hand in mine and gave her a small smile.
“Pacey can’t come out.” I now understood the change-up from her party mood, things between Pacey and Audrey have been strained to say at least.
“I’m sorry, but we can still have fun, isn’t that right guys?” I called out to Jack and Jen. Jen grabs Audrey’s other hand.
“Yeah, I want to forget my troubles like a typical college girl, dance on tables screaming ‘Whoo whoo’ and it will be all for nothing if I don't get reminded of it in ten years by you.” She gripped Audrey’s hand.
“Alright, you’ve convinced me.” I jump in excitement.
“Yes! Okay, all hands in!” We all put our hands in. “1,2,3!” Our hands fly up in the air of the promise of a fun night.
The four of us were just walking to the party when I realized that I didn’t know where the party was. “Uh, guys, do we even know where the party is?” I asked out loud to the three of them.
They all shrug their shoulders. “So we are just wandering around.” I laughed at the situation as we crossed the street.
“Ohh…ohh! I think I know where the party is, I think it’s in that house down the alley next to that free food bin store.” I was puzzled by that.
“Audrey, that's a grocery store. You are supposed to put the food in the little baggies and pay for them.”
“Really?” She questioned when she was walking backward and then ran into someone. “Pacey?”
The party was what you think a college party is, loud, bright, and dark somehow at the same time filled with tons of drunk people. Audrey was going on about how Pacey was not contributing anything to their relationship lately, especially tonight.
“I’m sorry guys, we are supposed to be having fun tonight and I just keep on going.” I get up and put my hand on her shoulder.
“It’s okay, I’ll get you some water.” She was already a little tipsy. I didn't want her to get worse. I knew it could, very easily, from my own experience.
“I’ll come too.” Jen got up and caught up with me.
The bar was tiny and was half-assed by the frat boys that lived here. Lots of people were crowded around it of course.
“Hi, can I get a beer,” Jen ordered for herself.
“Water for me please,” I ordered. We turn and Jen comes in chest-to-chest with CJ, spilling her beer all over him.
“Oh, my God. Look what l did.” she starts trying to rub it out. I give him a little wave and he nods back.
“That's okay. it was my fault, really.”
“Oh, no, jeez. You don't even– l mean, you're-- You don't even drink. Like Y/N. And I’m sure it's cold and smelly, and I’m touching you…and I’m gonna stop.” She pauses and just stands there for a second. “Hi. Okay. You caught me. I’m drunk. Yep, I’m a drunkard. Escaping reality. That's me. But you know what? This is a party… and at parties, people drink. And maybe that bothers you. Maybe you think it's weak. But you shouldn't go to a party where there's gonna be drunk people because that's what's gonna happen. Drinking. It’s just a party fact.” I wonder if she really thinks I think less of her because she drinks.
“You think I’m the lamest person on the earth, don't you?” CJ countered.
“No. No. Not at all. I’m sure you're, like, tons of fun.” She bit back sarcastically.
“Okay Jen, I think you need this water more than I do. Why don’t you go back to Audrey to check on her?” She grabs the water and walks back to our friends.
“I’m sorry CJ, that was my first time seeing her drunk as well.” I look at his shirt. “I know a trick to get that out.” I pointed at the beer.
“That would be great.” We go to the bathroom. I open the cabinet and look for some hydrogen peroxide.
“Um, can you take off your shirt?”
“Sure.” He pulls it off so easily. I grab it and pour water and hydrogen peroxide on it.
“So now we just wait thirty minutes and when you wash it the stain shouldn’t be there.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. I just realized that this is the first party where we can use the sober buddy system,” I said. He gives me a smirk and grabs my cup giving it a sniff and a sip.
“Yep, just like I thought- you’re good.” The silence was long but comfortable. “So how long have you been sober for?” He asked me.
“For about two years, you?” He looks down into my cup.
“Four years.”
“Four years- wow, that is amazing! I can’t wait to get there.” He grabs my hand in silence.
“You will.”
We had left the bathroom walking when I saw Jen arguing with someone on the steps upstairs. “Jen, what’s going on?” I ask with concern CJ right behind me.
“This guy took Audrey upstairs and she’s about to pass out.” Adrenaline mixed with worry flooded my veins.
“Move,” I said to the guy blocking us.
“Look, my friend is good, you don’t have to worry.” I’m about to pull out my inner Batman.
“Then it won’t be a problem that we go check.” CJ shoved the guy aside. Jen and I practically run upstairs. Luckily the room was open. “Audrey let’s go.” I gently grabbed her hand and Jen took the other. At this moment, the promise that we would have fun tonight was broken.
“Hey let go!” The guy shoved me back into the wall to grab back onto Audrey.
“Y/N!” Before he can do more CJ grabs him by the collar.
“You want to try that again!?” The guy throws his arms up in truce CJ throws him on the bed.
“You okay?” He helped me up. I nod trying to swallow my tears.
“Let’s go.”
Unlike the earlier comfortable walk with CJ, this walk back to my dorm was filled with melancholic silence. Jen had gone to her grandma’s house but not before checking on me.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I am, I'll call you tomorrow.” We hug.
I put Audrey in her bed and she fell asleep instantly. I get a glass of water and aspirin to put on her side table. I step outside the room to breathe and process and CJ is there. “Hey, you stayed.” I walk over to sit next to him.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” I wanted to hug him but I didn’t.
“Thank you but I’ll be fine. About what happened tonight- I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I wasn’t there.” He puts his hand on my knee squeezing it.
“Well, you were there, and again, you are a great friend.” I smile at that.
“And thank you for your help.”
“What kind of friend or sober buddy would I be if I didn’t?” I finally recognize that feeling I’ve been having: it’s of a true friend.
