Veronica's POV

"I can't believe I trusted you, you were lying all along," my mom scolds me and I wish she could lower her voice just for a bit, it's hurting my ears.

I woke up yesterday and I feel disconnected from this world, also very nauseous.

I can't believe I overdosed, I always wanted to die but this wasn't my intention. I just wanted to forget about everything for a bit.

Derek...

I haven't seen him at all, he hates me now. I feel it. He doesn't care anymore about me because he got tired.

"No, Veronica, this is done. I'm sending you away," my mom yells and I frown, unsure if I heard her correctly.

"I'm sending you far away. And you won't come back until you get better."

"I already looked up teen rehabilitation centers in Georgia and they are very strict. I'll make sure they teach you right. I can't do this alone and you aren't helping me," she continues and I grab her hand while my eyes get watery.

"Please, mom, no! I beg you, don't!" I say through sobs and I pull on her arm harder.

"No. You are leaving as soon as the doctor says so," she says in a strict tone and I cry, letting go of her hand.

It's over for me. It's all over. I fuck up everything every time.

"Did anyone come to visit me?"

I immediately realize that someone must have saved me, someone must have seen me in that horrible condition but no one tells me anything.

"No. And no one will," she says and I wipe away my tears.

"I could have died..." I mutter.

"That's exactly why I'm angry. You could have died and you never stopped doing drugs, you will never stop without help and I won't sit here being gentle and nice to you, because it didn't stop you from overdosing," she spits and I look at her attentively.

I can't blame her.

~

My mom puts a hand on my shoulder and she helps me grab the baggage.

They told us I can't have any electronic device, so no laptop, phone, or anything that could help me have contact with the outside.

I only put clothes and other body care stuff in the baggage.

We enter the enormous building, it looks like a hospital but with a dormitory.

The woman signs us up and makes a phone call.

"Go to the office, on the right."

"Thank you. Have a good day," my mom says and I follow her to the office.

We knock and a man invites us in.

"Good morning. Welcome to Insight Teen Program," he says with a warm voice, and my mom smiles.

I don't bother greeting him. I didn't accept going to rehab. She forced me and it's only possible because I'm not eighteen years old yet.

"We know it's a difficult decision but it's for the best, miss Reeves," he says and he hands me an ID that I will wear around my neck which is supposed to identify me as a patient.

"You will undergo therapy and if they think you are doing good, you will be out in no time," he explains and I get an idea.

So, it seems easy? I just have to pretend. But can I fool a professional?

"Three months is usually the best time," he finishes and my mouth drops to the floor.

He just said three months? What?

"Mom, please don't. I promise I won't do drugs ever again. Just lock me in my room," I beg my mom and she doesn't even look at me.

"Don't worry, Veronica, some people only stay a month," he tries to reassure me but it fails. It's already too much, I can't handle being here. I'll go insane without drug-

Oh.

"We also have a teacher and a mentor who help with school work. You will do homework."

"How is this supposed to help me get better?" I ask him.

"It's the best for your academic results, also you won't feel isolated when you go back to school on the same page as the other students. You don't want to fall behind, do you?" he asks and I shake my head.

I don't want to repeat another year of hell.

"You will share the room with another girl your age. There are single rooms too but your mother didn't want that," the man explains and I roll my eyes. God, no.

I scoff. "Ironically, you don't want to keep me away from everyone but you sent me here and didn't even let me say goodbye to my friends," I yell at my mom and she tries to reach for my hand but I take it off the desk.

"Do they even know?" I ask annoyed.

"It's for the best, sweetheart. Only your school principal and teachers know."

"Everyone else thinks you are homeschooled again," she finishes and I slam my hand against the desk and my mother flinches while he seems passive.

I don't know why I'm acting so aggressive. It's been two weeks without cocaine and I can feel the withdrawal kicking in. I'm furious that I am stuck here with nothing that could help me get my mind off things.

"You can't contact anyone for the first two weeks, then you will only meet your mom for two hours during the weekends," he explains and I clench my fist.

What the fuck is this place?!

My mom stands up and she tries to hug me but I dodge it. No, thanks.

"I want the best for you, sweetheart," she says in a sweet lower voice and I look away.

The man accompanies me to my new prison cell. That's what I'm going to call it from now on.

"Can I receive mails at least?" I ask hopeful and he nods.

"Yes, but only by people your mom allowed," he says, "your mom and relatives."

Well, fuck.

We enter and he helps me put the baggage near the bed.

The room looks so depressing, with gray walls and one empty bed with white sheets. Boring.

I turn to the other side and it's completely different from mine. A bit decorated and the sheets and the blankets are navy blue.

So, the other inmate already lives here.

"If you need help, don't hesitate to talk to us," he says and I nod, looking back at the bedside table next to my bed.

There is a cute beige lamp with stars on it and it's probably the only thing I like in this dull room.

I lay on the bed and soon my eyes fill with tears.

"What did I d- do to myself?" I sob while hugging the white pillow.

I miss Derek so much and it breaks my heart to think he has no idea where I am and that I won't see him soon, and maybe he doesn't care at all. We fought right before I overdosed.

But who found me? They must know I overdosed, they just don't know where I am now.

The door handle moves and a tall blonde girl enters the room.

She doesn't even greet me so I just turn to face the wall and put the pillow back in its place and I dry my eyes with my sleeves.

I accidentally look at her and she has a book in her hand.

'How to get away with murder'

Oh, ok.

"Is that a fiction book?" I ask and she doesn't even look up at me. She looks around my age.

She ties her mid-length straight hair in a ponytail and I take a better look at her face. I've never seen her before but it makes sense. This teen rehab is quite far from the city I live in.

I begin pulling out the clothes and two pairs of comfortable shoes from my suitcase along with the brush, toothpaste, makeup, and some body lotions.

"You have a horrible taste in clothes," she points out and I laugh. At least she talks. Her voice sounds quite sweet and innocent, just like her looks but I know is far from it.

"What's your name?" I ask and she looks away again.

Ok, then no talking.

Ugh, did they give me this girl as a roommate?

She stands up and puts her hand on my suitcase, stopping my hand.

"You don't need my name. But you are going to help me," she says in a threatening tone and I straighten up my position and shove her arm off my baggage.

"No," I simply say.

"No?" she repeats and I crack a smile. She seems crazier than me.

"Let's get this straight... you either help me, or you are in my way, and I promise you." She smirks. "You don't want the latter."

Who even is she?