Leaf-filtered light shone through the open blinds, harsh and glaring against Kaden's face while his vision of the world was black. Covered by slammed shut doors of unconsciousness. He began to stir. Scrunching his eyes, finding himself on the ground of some cold tile floor that most definitely was not the floor of his home. Hazy. Lights off. Just a dull grayness and beaming orange light. Kaden groaned from the thousand needles stabbing into his head. He rolled over to his side, bumping into another body. Covered by a blanket, his hand underneath feeling her bare skin. Her hair a tangled mess of blonde tresses. Looking messed up as he was. The lightness of sleep began to take over for a moment before he sprung up looking to the clock.

9:00 AM. Kaden stood up and frantically searched for his clothes. Throwing on a pair of beaten and torn shorts and the t-shirt he was wearing the other night. Stained with alcohol at this point. He looked around and remembered where he was. An apartment not too too far from his house. The college girl passed out on the floor. Not much time, but Kaden grabbed a pillow and placed it underneath her head. Pouring a glass of water next and putting it on the table next to her while also leaving a note. He could do more, but time was not on his side. The trip to the lake was one of the few joys he could take in every year.

When he returned home, things were more or less the same. Small two bedroom home. His father was passed out on the couch with scattered beer cans everywhere. Kaden was sure he'd get a yelling or more if he woke him up. Maybe even have him do chores. He stopped bothering with telling his father what his plans were a long time ago. Kaden showered with speed. Jumping out, throwing on a new pair of shorts and a tight-fitting black t-shirt. He grabbed a bag and packed some spare clothes, soap, then he grabbed his fishing rod and some bait. A beat-up version of The Great Gatsby tossed in between two handles of liquor his father would miss, but didn't need. Whisky for the men. Tequila for the ladies. Was that it? Kaden perked up at a sudden memory. He reached into his pillow case to pull out rolling papers. A bag of weed, and another bag that he told his dad was just salt. 

Now everything was covered. Bag on his back. Simple enough and a fishing rod in his hand. Luckily enough for him the school wasn't far and he had about twenty minutes to get there. Ten would be enough. Kaden strolled out the door and walked out with the sun on his face. Halfway he wished he had found some sunglasses. Maybe taken a painkiller or chugged down water. Too far now. And these were his core group of friends. The one's he had known for the most time at Red Lake. He couldn't hold them up or not make an appearance. He caught sight of the RV and walked on over. Glancing to see Ryan helping David out of the bush. Then over to the girls, Scout and Aaron. The red-eyed, lack of sleep look apparent. Scruff on his chin. Kaden was the mess of a guy who the fangirls loved straight out of a teenage drama on the CW. Sleepily he spoke.

"Mornin'."