Daily Drama (In American TV Shows)

Again a 'filler' chapter, really what happens is that I didn't have much time to write and this chapter was supposed to be 8/9k words, but I decided to cut it in two.

Without further ado (see you next week).

Enjoy.

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After saying goodbye to Bob, I entered my room and found my friends lying on the floor, talking quietly.

"Hey," I greeted softly, as I could hear Gabe's gentle snores. I lightly kicked the leg of one of my two friends on the floor as I passed by to turn on my small night lamp.

"You're not going to guess what," Georgie murmured, sarcasm dripping from his lips as he lifted his head once there was a source of light in the room.

"I was with Karen Smith," David said, with obvious pride in his voice.

"No way, really?" I asked, feigning surprise while taking off my shirt. I had actually seen them at the party. "I don't believe you," I added as I changed into my pajamas.

"That's what I said," Georgie whispered, dropping his head back onto the makeshift pillow on the floor.

"Well, I did, and I can prove it," David said, annoyed but still keeping his voice low.

"Oh, don't worry about it, man. I'm sure you did," I said with exaggerated condescension, mocking my friend.

"Seeing is believing," Georgie declared ironically.

"I'm telling the truth," David stated, raising his hands in exasperation. "And besides that, it seems to me that you're talking a lot for someone who spent the party alone," he whispered a second later, with an edge to his voice, trying to throw the joke back at Georgie.

"Who said I didn't?" Georgie declared, surprisingly confident in his words. "It's just that a true gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, right, PJ?" he added.

"Yeah," I replied, genuinely surprised by the maturity my friend was showing. After finishing changing and tossing my dirty clothes into the room's laundry basket, I turned off the small lamp again.

"Georgie, aren't you supposed to be sleeping in your own room right now?" I asked while lying in my bed.

"Yeah, but don't worry. Mom doesn't check my room until it's time to go to church, and I haven't left yet. I just need to wake up early and sneak back into the house, pretending I came from my room," Georgie answered effortlessly, clearly having planned everything in advance.

"All right," I murmured, nodding slightly.

Surprisingly, Georgie actually woke up 'early' to leave for his house the next day. He may have received a little help from me when I _accidentally_ kicked his feet, but despite that, Georgie headed home.

The next morning, after returning from my morning run, David was watching TV alongside Gabe in the living room, completely entranced by the cartoons, just like my brother.

"Hey, do you want me to take you home, or do you prefer to watch Bugs Bunny a little longer?" I asked, tapping my friend's shoulder to snap him out of his trance.

"What?" David asked, startled, turning his face completely clueless at my question.

"Nothing," I sighed. "I'll just take a shower and then drive you home," I added, amused.

"Good, thanks," David replied immediately, returning his attention to the TV a moment later.

Fortunately, David didn't live far from my house. In just a few minutes, I dropped him off in his yard and was back home.

As I got out of my car and checked my watch, I noticed that even though it was still early, Diane was probably already awake. I was curious about how she was feeling after her adventure with alcohol the night before.

When I arrived at Meemaw's house, after knocking on the door, the woman who owned the house—already dressed for her day, likely prepared for church—opened the door with a smile.

"Aces, just the guy I was looking for," Meemaw said playfully, motioning for me to come inside. "You're going to love this," she added with a chuckle, leading me through her house to the living room.

In the living room, Diane was lying on Meemaw's couch with her eyes closed. Unlike the night before, she was now wearing pajamas—an oversized T-shirt and shorts.

"How are you feeling now, sweetheart?" Meemaw asked, raising her voice slightly.

"Not so loud," Diane pleaded, rubbing the side of her head. "My head is still killing me," she added a second later, keeping her eyes tightly shut.

"I can't get enough of this," Meemaw huffed, shaking her head in amusement with her arms crossed.

"I will never drink again," Diane groaned, shifting painfully on the couch and curling up into a ball, hugging her legs.

"That's what everybody says," Meemaw declared sarcastically. "Heck, that's what _I_ say every time I drink—and I have a date today to drink with my bowling team," she added with a grin.

"No, I mean it. I won't drink again," Diane said, still with her eyes closed. "I understand that it's a sociocultural construct, but I don't see the appeal in losing control of your senses. I mean—"

"Really?" I asked, amused, interrupting Diane's speech and surprising her. She had obviously ignored my presence. "Last night, you seemed to enjoy the 'sociocultural construct' quite a bit."

"PJ," Diane said, opening her eyes. "When did you get here?" she asked a moment later, slightly sitting up on the couch.

"Not long ago," I replied, amused. "Are you feeling really bad?" I asked gently, sitting beside her on the couch.

"Yeah," Diane immediately answered, resting her head on my arm. "I have all the symptoms of _veisalgia_."

"A what?" Meemaw asked, puzzled, still standing a few steps away from the couch.

"Hangover," I explained, amused.

"Oh," Meemaw said, nodding. "Yeah, this is definitely a hangover," she added cheerfully.

"You just need some water and to take it easy today," I said, gently rubbing Diane's arm.

"I'll get her some water," Meemaw said, checking her watch. "It's almost time to head to church."

"Thanks, Meemaw," Diane murmured, lifting her head from my arm.

With Meemaw out of the room, Diane, seemingly forcing her eyes to stay open, studied me closely. For some reason, a moment later, she frowned, looking strangely annoyed.

"You look pristine," Diane said, pointing at me. "How?" she asked incredulously a moment later.

"Pristine?" I asked, amused. "Well, thanks."

"No, really. How do you look so refreshed?" Diane asked, with a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Well, the oxygenation in my brain thanks to morning exercise could be a factor," I explained calmly. "There's also the release of neurotransmitters," I added with a shrug.

"Exercise?" Diane asked incredulously, slightly widening her eyes.

"Well, yeah, you know that—every morning," I reminded her, confused.

"Yeah, I know. It's just that since I took a bath a couple of hours ago, I've been lying on this same couch without moving," Diane said slowly. "I can't imagine wanting to do any physical activity."

"Here you go, honey," Meemaw said, returning to the room and handing Diane a glass of water.

"Thanks, Meemaw," Diane said, quickly taking the glass and drinking its contents.

"Don't mention it," Meemaw said dismissively, waving her hands. "Now, I'm heading to church. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she ordered sternly, raising a finger. "Or anything I _would_ do, either," she added a second later, shaking her head.

"All right... have fun?" I said, tilting my head, unsure if my farewell was appropriate.

"I'll try," Meemaw replied with a shrug, not sounding convinced at all, before turning on her heels and walking out of the house.

Shortly after Meemaw left, with Diane resting against my shoulder, we remained silent for a couple of minutes.

"You should take a nap... in your bed," I said softly, feeling Diane's breathing slow against my shoulder.

"But I'm so comfortable here. It's nice," Diane murmured, shifting her head against my shoulder.

"Yeah, I've been told I have nice shoulders," I joked. "Come on, let's get you to your bed," I added, slowly standing up, with Diane still clinging to my arm.

"No," Diane whined, dragging out the word with a pained voice.

"You'll feel better after a good nap," I said, supporting Diane as we walked to her room. "So good that you'll ask me to go for a run."

"No, I won't," Diane immediately said, looking at me as if I had said something absurd.

"I know," I sighed, stepping into the room.

"All right," I said gently, settling Diane onto her bed.

"Don't go," Diane said, lying on her hand, pouting slightly.

"Sure," I replied casually, taking a seat beside her on the bed.

Immediately, Diane—momentarily dropping her pained expression—smiled slightly and rested her head on my leg.

"I don't mean to offend you, but... are you manipulating me?" I asked, amused, gently stroking the side of her face.

"Yes," Diane answered nonchalantly, rolling onto my leg to face me.

"All right," I sighed, amused.

"I do have a headache, and I don't even remember part of last night. Me! I remember everything," she added, narrowing her eyes in annoyance.

"You don't?" I asked, disappointed.

"I remember dancing, and I remember very well the taste of the beer," Diane admitted with a hint of disgust on her face. "After that, I have a vague memory of being carried to this very bed," she added, narrowing her eyes, seemingly doubting the memory.

"Yes, that did happen," I responded with a smile.

"It's my first time, you know?" Diane murmured after a few seconds of silence. "Not remembering something," she added a moment later.

"Welcome to the mortal world," I declared sarcastically. "But seriously, you have nothing to worry about. You didn't say anything compromising," I assured her.

"Compromising?" Diane asked, confused.

"Well, sometimes, when people get drunk, they lose all sense of discretion," I explained slowly.

"I understand," Diane said, nodding. "But I don't think I have anything embarrassing to say, even without inhibitions," she added a second later, pressing her jaw.

"Really?" I asked maliciously.

"Yes," Diane replied confidently. "I am what you would call 'an open book,'" she added with a bit of pride in her voice.

"I'm so glad to hear that," I declared playfully, raising my eyebrows. "Now you should take a nap," I added seriously, "and I sincerely hope you have really nice dreams," I said in the deepest voice I could, leaning in until I was just inches from Diane's face.

"Wh-what?" Diane asked, comically widening her eyes.

"Oh, nothing, just wishing you sweet dreams," I replied, unable to hold back a wide smile as I quickly kissed her nose.

With narrowed eyes, unable to see through my little lie, Diane shrugged nonchalantly, moving her head off my leg and burying her face in her pillow.

Not long after, Diane was sound asleep, allowing me to silently leave Meemaw's house and head back home.

"Hey, Bud," I said, greeting Gabe, who was still watching TV in the living room.

"Hey," my brother replied without taking his eyes off the screen.

"I was thinking we could go do something today if you want to," I said, sitting next to Gabe on the couch and placing my hand on his head. "We can go eat burgers, just you and me… and Charlie, if she wants to come," I added a second later, jokingly.

From the laughter and music coming from Teddy's room, I was sure she was still with her friends.

"Really?" Gabe asked, incredulous. "You're not going out with Diane today?"

"Sometimes I just want to hang out with my little brother," I said, pushing his head away, pretending to be offended.

"Yeah, sure," Gabe scoffed, shaking his head. "She probably got bored of you, and that's why you have nothing to do."

"Hey, I have feelings, remember?" I asked, placing a hand over my chest, surprised by his relaxed statement. "But yeah, maybe she did get bored of me, so I thought… who's the second-best person to hang out with?" I added, raising my hands.

With a skeptical look, Gabe turned his attention away from the TV to stare at me.

"But Alan is somewhere being a mysterious guy," I quickly added. "So I thought, the third-best? But Brock is in Boston—"

"Shut up," Gabe interrupted, practically throwing himself at my ribs.

"Uh, I was just joking," I said, laughing as I covered my torso from my brother's quick punches. "Obviously, the second-best option is Charlie," I added, unable to stop laughing.

"Wow, my boys are so cheerful this morning," Mom said from the hallway, appearing behind us with an unusually quiet Charlie in her arms. "Good morning," she added, kissing Gabe on the head while I still held him in a firm hug, preventing him from moving.

"Good morning, Mom. Charlie," I replied, smiling at her as she kissed my head as well.

"Aren't you going to have breakfast with Diane?" Mom asked curiously while rocking Charlie in her arms.

"She got bored of him," Gabe quickly said, still struggling—or at least trying to struggle—against my grip.

"She's just tired from the party," I explained calmly, not really using much strength on Gabe but keeping him completely at my mercy.

"You guys didn't get home too late, did you?" Mom asked, concerned.

"No, Diane wanted to experience drinking at a party," I said, pressing my lips together. "Nothing irresponsible, I promise," I quickly assured her, raising my hands as I saw her completely serious expression.

"Did you drink?" Mom asked slowly.

"Of course not, I was the driver," I replied immediately.

"Okay, just don't make a habit of it," Mom said after a few seconds of silence, warning me.

"I wasn't planning on it," I replied, nodding.

"All right, give me a hand," Mom said, quickly changing her attitude and smiling as she handed Charlie to me. "I'll go make breakfast."

"Hello," I said softly as I took Charlie in my arms. The little baby silently studied my face, completely uninterested in being passed around.

"Can we have bacon and pancakes for breakfast?" Gabe asked, now sitting at the other end of the couch since I had let him go.

"Sure," Mom replied immediately.

"Do you want to go eat burgers with Gabe and me, Charlie?" I asked my little sister seriously, holding my arms out in front of me.

Once again, Charlie remained completely uninterested, silently sucking on her hand while staring at me.

"I'll take that as a no," I said, nodding in defeat.

"Can she even eat burgers?" Gabe asked, confused.

"I'll give her one if she wants," I replied jokingly.

Several minutes passed before Bob also came out of his room. After greeting us and kissing Charlie on the forehead, he helped Mom make breakfast for everyone.

"How was the party?" Teddy asked later at the dining table while we were all eating, including her friends.

"Pretty fun," I replied honestly. "Diane enjoyed it."

"That's it?" Teddy asked incredulously after a few seconds. "What did you guys do? What did you see? Did anything interesting happen?" she asked, exasperated.

"I mean, we danced, and we came back home," I answered, slightly lost at her questions.

For some reason, my response was funny to Teddy's friends and Mom.

"I can't believe it," Teddy murmured, throwing her hands up. "Did you really go to this party?"

"Yes, I did," I replied. "I don't understand what you expect me to say," I admitted, defeated.

"Don't waste your breath, Teddy. Your dad was the same. If it wasn't something like a fight or an explosion, he wouldn't tell you," Mom said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "The men in this family are completely oblivious."

"No, I'm not," Gabe immediately defended himself.

"You will be, my love," Mom said condescendingly.

"We're not gossips," Bob corrected with a smile. "And that's not a bad thing," he assured Gabe.

Later, while I was watching TV with Gabe again, the phone suddenly rang.

"I'll take that," Mom said excitedly, appearing out of nowhere.

Judging by the time of the call, I was pretty sure it was Mrs. Cooper.

"Oh my God," Mom said, shocked. "Poor family," she added a moment later, covering her mouth.

"What's going on?" I asked, worried.

"Of course, we will, yes," Mom said on the phone, raising a hand to stop my question. "All right, see you soon," she added a moment later before hanging up.

"What?" I asked, concerned, walking toward her when I saw her sad expression.

"A girl from your school died last night in a car accident," Mom answered quietly, placing a hand on her chest to keep Gabe from hearing.

"What? Who?" I asked, incredulous.

"Martha Hanson. She was your age," Mom said sadly, waiting for my reaction.

"That's horrible," I said.

"You didn't know her?" Mom asked, still with sadness in her voice.

"No, I didn't," I replied softly.

The next day, the school had a decidedly bitter feeling in the hallways. One of the lockers not far from mine, obviously the one that belonged to Martha, was filled with flowers in a sort of altar in her memory.

"My mom is really affected, and I didn't even knew her," Georgie said, puzzled, as we stood in front of our lockers, looking at the usually noisy place, now in an uncomfortable silence.

"She was our age, your mom's just worried about you," I explained calmly.

"I guess that makes sense. My mom told me I won't be allowed to go to any parties for a while," David said, nodding.

"My dad said the same thing," declared Kat, who, along with Mandela, approached us.

"Did you know her?" I asked, noticing how Mandela was staring at the decorated locker, surrounded by people.

"Mandela had theater class with her," Kat answered for her friend after a few seconds of silence.

"She had a lot of passion for acting," Mandela said. "I saw her at the party, she was drinking. I didn't think she would drive in that state," she added sadly.

"Was she driving under the influence?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah" Mandela replied.

In my time as a paramedic I had seen dozens if not hundreds of car accidents caused by drinking and driving, it was never a good day when one of these occurred.

"So fake," Kat murmured, strangely furious, immediately drawing the attention of my friends. "Regina, look at her," she added, discreetly pointing down the hallway.

Sure enough, among all the people in front of the locker, covering her face, Regina was crying, seemingly devastated, while Karen and Gretchen hugged her, both also appearing sad.

The day went on, and lunchtime arrived quickly. Like in the morning, the cafeteria was surprisingly quieter than usual. There were still some people talking, but mostly in murmurs.

"We have incoming," Kat suddenly murmured, clenching her jaw.

"PJ, can we talk?" Regina asked, appearing behind me with slightly puffy eyes. "It'll be quick, I promise," she added a moment later.

"Sure," I responded after a second of silence. Exhaling slightly, I stood up, smiling calmly at my friends.

Walking behind Regina, we left the cafeteria, with a few eyes following our steps.

"What do you need, Regina?" I asked once we were outside the cafeteria.

"I've been reflecting," Regina admitted slowly. "With everything that's happening, the horrible news," she added, gesturing toward the school hallway, "I've decided to forgive you," she softly declared, placing her hand on my arm.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, incredulous.

"I realized how fragile life is and decided that silly fights aren't worth it," Regina declared with a slight smile. "I forgive you and accept you back," she added 'kindly.'

"Accept me back?" I asked, processing what was happening—I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Yes, I think you deserve a second chance," Regina responded, caressing my arm.

"I can't believe this. This is a joke, right?" I asked, stopping Regina's hand on my arm with some disgust and slowly moving it away, clearly careful not to hurt her.

"Of course not, silly, I'm serious," Regina responded, apparently forgetting her sadness completely, with a wide smile.

I had thought Kat's disdain for Regina earlier that day was entirely caused by her anger, but now I could see what she meant.

"Regina... this is a new level of low," I murmured, still shaking my head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're using something as tragic as a classmate's death to fuel your delusions. You need help," I added with disgust.

"Wha—"

"No, Regina, I don't want to hear it. I told you at the party, I'm with Diane, and that's not going to change, even if it's what you want," I declared, cutting her off before she could say anything else. "Please, don't ever talk to me again," I added, frowning and quickly walking back to the cafeteria.

Regina didn't come back, and I didn't answer my friends' questions.

Days passed, and with them, the heavy feeling at school slowly faded. The locker still had pictures, flowers, and stuffed animals scattered on the floor, but people gradually moved on with their lives.

On Friday afternoon, as the weekend of fights Case had promised us arrived—without going to the hospital—and after saying goodbye to my family and Diane, I followed the muscular man's orders and arrived at the gym with a backpack packed for three days.

"Thanks for bringing me," I said to Bob from inside his awful truck.

"Don't mention it, champ. Good luck on your trip," Bob responded, patting my shoulder kindly.

"Thanks, see you later," I said, getting out of the car a second later.

Inside the gym, Tim and Case, each carrying their own backpacks, were waiting.

"A minute later, and you would've had to run after the car," Case declared seriously, checking his watch.

"That's why I arrived a minute early," I responded, unable to help myself, making Tim snort.

"Funny. Come on, it's time to go. Lock up," Case ordered, without the slightest hint of amusement on his face.

Following the man's instructions, I walked with Tim to the back alley of the gym, where Daisy was parked.

"No rummaging through the drawers, clean up after yourselves, and roll down the windows if you need to fart," Case said with a frown, stopping next to his RV.

"Got it," I said, while Tim simply nodded.

"Let's go," Case said, exhaling.

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By the way, I really didn't plan on the death of a completely unknown character being such a big cliffhanger.

I've read some comments talking about the pacing of the story and I agree that I may have gotten a bit hung up on the repetitiveness of the chapters, at least these last few, but as I said before, the first volume will only be about 100 chapters long (possibly about 10/15 chapters after the 100th) there are just a few things left to develop.

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Author Thoughts:

As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen, not Michael Phelps, not Arsene Lupin and not McLovin.

Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:

11332223

RandomPasserby96

Victor_Venegas

I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.

Thank you for reading! :D

PS: PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.