Chapter Eighteen: Addictions all around

I sat on the edge of the bed as James walked out of the room. I heard the back door open then close. After a minute of arguing with myself I decided to go outside after him.

"Smoking is bad for you, you know it's addictive and kills people." I said quietly

He had heard me sending me a small smile "Guess you and this cigarette have a lot in common."

I furrowed my eyebrows "Wait I kill people?" I asked

"No,no,no that's not what I meant. I meant that your addictive." he said shaking his head looking down at his feet "That sounded less stupid and more romantic in my head. Being romantic is not my strong suit."

"I think you're doing a fabulous job at it." I teased bumping my elbow to his side

"Really?" he retorted an amused look on his face

"Oh yeah, you're a real ladykiller." I winked sitting in the steps of the porch "The stars are pretty over on this side of town."

James took a puff of his cigarette letting the smoke out "Much better then other places I have to admit." he took a seat next to me

"It's so beautiful, it reminds me of the stars in New Orleans when I'd stay with my aunt Veronica over the summers."

"New Orleans huh?" James asked

I nodded my head "Yup I'd stay with her every year during summer break. It was my favorite place in the world to be with my favorite person." I smiled reminiscing about my past "The stars shown so bright there especially during the summer. We'd usually stay up until two in the morning gazing at the stars."

"What happened to her?" he asked curiously

"She died my senior year of high school. My mother really could care less about her sisters death since Veronica was like a mother to me." I explained

"I'm really sorry Care." he said sending me a sympathetic look

I shook my head "No please not that look. I had to deal with that for years and still do every time Veronica's name comes up. I'm fine with it, I've accepted it and realized I have to let her go." Looking at my charm bracelet I got this past summer I looked at James "I want to revisit it someday, just for the stars. Oh and the bourbon and gumbo."

James laughed and nodded his head "The bourbon, gumbo and stars? Sounds like a lot of fun."

"It will be mostly because I'll have you there." I said bumping my shoulder with his

"Caroline, I'm really sorry about today. I was way out if line to do that and especially I'm sorry for making you cry." He said stroking my cheek with his thumb before kissing me softly making me weak and melt into him

"I forgive you." I whispered against his lips pulling away a smile on my face

Standing up he held his hand out for me which I took happily "Lets get inside it's late and I'm exhausted."

Getting into bed after changing into the shirt and taking my hair down I snuggled into the sheets "Goodnight James." I whispered

"Goodnight Caroline. I love you." he whispered back

"I love you too." I smiled

With us I love you said many things such as I'm sorry. And in reply saying it back meant I forgive you for being a dumb idiot today. No matter what went down between us so far we managed to let things go and move on with the three simple words that meant so much. Sometimes though I hated that I loved him because no matter what he always had his ways to win me over and make me forgive him.

(3rd Person P.O.V)

Across town Dalton was hanging out with a few friends of his. The burnouts as his sister referred to them. But his burnout friends were here for him more this his own flesh and blood.

"Where's your sister tonight?" Luke asked taking a sip of some of the wine Caroline had in the house

"I'm not sure, I think she's out with Dave or maybe James. I can't keep track of her man, it ain't even my job." Dalton shrugged taking the wine to wash down the pills he popped into his mouth

Rachel an eighteen year old who was still a sophomore laughed and rolled up yet another joint "You're sister is a bigger slut then I am."

Those words stung Dalton a little bit but, he pushed the feeling away. She had been out a lot since James left with non other then his brother saying he was a slut well that was the nicest word out of his list he wanted to call her. Dalton knew he could never say them to her face though.

"Yeah man, didn't you say she screwed Seth then James and now his brother." Bryan another one of his many burnout friends laughed "Maybe I'll have my turn next."

Dalton clenched his fists breathing out heavily "Shut up Bryan." he said in a thick voice

"Chill Dalton, we're only having a little fun after all." Rachel smiled slyly as she set a hand on his shoulder while her other hand passed him the joint.

He didn't hesitate to take a big hit. It relieved his pain of feeling abandoned by the only other person he thought wouldn't. Dalton found shelter in this way getting high and drinking with his 'friends'.

"A little fun never killed no one." Luke nodded at Dalton

As the morning sun shined through the window Caroline's eyes fluttered open sensing someone staring at her.

"Staring is creepy you know." She mumbled out

"I wasn't staring... I was simply gazing at my beautiful girlfriend." he replied in a husky morning voice

The sound sent chills all over Caroline's body "It's still creepy."

"We have plans today. So make yourself look well how you always do." he said getting out of bed

Caroline sat up interested "What kind of plans?"

"You'll find out, invite Dalton too. The kid needs sunlight." he joked making Caroline laugh

Once at her apartment in the same dress she wore last night and heels in hand, Caroline unlocked her door walking in with James behind.

"What the hell!" Caroline said angrily looking at the mess

Beer bottles, wine bottles, cigaret butts even joint papers laid all around the house along with empty baggies and pill bottles.

"Maybe it's not what you're thinking." James suggested tying to calm the already steaming Caroline down

Before anymore words could be exchanged she bursted through Dalton's door. Angrily she threw the covers off him arms now crossed over her chest.

"What the fuck?" Dalton said confused and looked up to see his sister with crossed arms and a scowl on her face "Caroline... oh hey. How's it going?"

"That's all you have to say to me?" she asked

He thought about it for a moment "Yup seems about right. Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to get back to sleep."

Throwing her hands up in the air the blonde girl closed his door going back out to the living room and kitchen to clean up the mess.

"It's probably just a phase it'll pass in a day or two." James sat his hands on Caroline's shoulder a reassuring smile on his face

"What if it's not a phase?" she asked worried "I mean I know these are phases but, some people just can't shake it and become addicted."

Pulling her into is chest, James held her close "Then we'll figure something out." pulling away he still had held onto her "Care, he'll be okay."

After Caroline's shower she did her usual routine, after it she got dressed in a whit blouse,light blue skirt and creme colored Oxford heels.

"Going out yet again?" Dalton asked eying his sister when she stepped out of the bathroom

"You're invited Dalton. So get a shower then ready. We'll wait for you." she smiled softly trying to forget the incident from when she got home

The teen ran a hand though his messy dark bed head "Yeah... thanks for the offer but I'm gonna have to pass."

Caroline breathed out, now forcing a smile "Sure thing Dalton."

(Sort of just a filler chapter. What do you think of Dalton's involvement with drugs and alcohol?? Will Caroline freak out even more or will he get better? Better stuff to come in the next few chapters. Hint. hint drama!!)