wanna be where you are

Calum didn’t want to be here, at all. It wasn’t like he was actually an alcoholic. He’d just driven while drunk the one time and had an accident - not even a major one, nobody had been hurt, he’d only run into a telephone pole. And, normally, he wouldn’t have driven while drunk in the first place, but he’d wanted to get home and he’d left his phone at home, so he hadn’t been able to call for an Uber. Looking back now, though, he could have probably just used somebody else’s phone, but he couldn’t change that now. Sighing out, he ran his hand through his hair as he walked into the room the AA meeting was being held at, peering around at the group that had shown up so far. He hadn’t really expected this many people to be at a meeting like this, if he was honest, and, for a long moment, he found himself just taking it all in, startled.

Mila sat in her usual seat, toying with her sobriety token. With the fact that she’d grown up in a home where alcoholism was looked at as normal, she was amazed that she’d come this far, sober for this long. And, really, it was all thanks to the AA group and to the child protective services that took her into their custody, her caseworker having taken her to her first AA meeting the weekend after she’d been taken in, and she’d been going to the meetings ever since. Without this group, without her caseworker, she wasn’t sure where she’d be now. And, really, that was part of the reason why, when the group leader had asked her to be a sponsor, she’d agreed; she was just waiting for the other person to arrive so she could meet them.

Luke walked into Room 84, because that's where the AA meeting was taking place. It was stupid, the fact that he had to attend. He'd only made one slip up - driving under the influence after Michael's twenty-third birthday party. He understood it was a poor decision on his behalf, but it was the first real, serious mistake he'd made. He'd lost his phone, so he couldn't call for a cab, and he was the last person standing, so he couldn't borrow anyone else's. At least, that's what the guilt made him think, it wasn't like Luke was a consistent drinker. Seeing Calum, Luke nodded and sat beside his friend. "This already sucks." He murmured quietly. No one had even gotten hurt in the accident that resulted in his stupidity, the only thing was his car got damaged. "I can't wait to leave."

Kiana walked in, slightly later than usual. She never usually was late, but the bus wasn't running as it should of been and there'd been a delay. Still, Kiana offered a wave to her friend, Mila, before sitting in the seat she usually did. She had been in this one for so long, it might as well have her name imprinted on the back. Squeezing her sobriety token in her hand, Kiana paused as she noticed a new face in the corner, and she watched him for a long moment - eyes as dark as black coffee and slightly dishevelled black hair, Kiana blinked in surprise, wondering what a man that beautiful could be doing here, of all places. Still, Kiana focused on her token once more - a cruel reminder of her past as she waited patiently for the group leader to tell her who she would be sponsoring.

Calum looked over when he heard Luke speak, though he shook his head slightly, sighing out with frustration. “I don’t even want to be here,” he muttered quietly, frowning deeply. He wasn’t an alcoholic, this was just the punishment that the courts thought fit his crime, and it was frustrating. He didn’t belong here. Sighing out, he rubbed at his face. “I just wanna get out of here already.” But, he knew he had to be there, so he moved to sit down.

Mila looked over when she saw Kiana, and she offered a small wave in greeting, though she leaned back in her seat, trying to relax, trying to prepare for the meeting. In all honesty, these meetings were the only things keeping her on the straight and narrow. She’d gone so long being sober, and she’d been doing such a good job of it, and she knew it would always be a struggle, but at least she’d fought her way to this point, and that was important.

Luke nodded with Calum's words, understanding his frustration. The media circus had surrounded them both when the news of their crashes got out - two members of the same band driving under the influence? It didn't look good. Sinking down a little in his seat with shame, because it only didn't draw negative attention to the band, it drew negative attention to their fanbase. Looking between their fellow AA goers, Luke blinked in surprise as his gaze fell upon a beautiful woman who definitely looked like she belonged anywhere else but that room. Offering her a small smile as she leaned back in her seat, Luke wondered what her story was, how long she'd been sober - if she made any stupid decisions like he had.

Kiana had managed to pry her eyes away from the man with golden skin as she watched familiar faces and new faces settle into their seats, and Kiana felt herself sympathise with the newcomers. Attending your first AA meeting was daunting, because you had to accept the fact you had an issue before you might have even addressed it. Looking to her twelve month token to remind herself once more that there was no shame in seeking help, Kiana folded one leg over the other, getting comfortable as the leader began to speak to the two men in the corner, both looking as though they'd die at any moment - the golden skinned man clearly uncomfortable.

Calum tried to get comfortable and tried to relax in his seat, shifting a bit as he watched. His eyes ran over the room, though his attention was mostly focused on the woman closer to the front, wondering why she was here - she certainly didn’t look like she belonged. And, he found himself wanting to meet her, wanting to get to know her.

Mila chewed on her lip, leaning back in her seat, staring ahead as one of the others got up to begin the meeting, welcoming everybody. She knew it was only a matter of time before they began sharing stories, but she hoped things went well overall, and she hoped the newcomers wouldn’t feel too put off by it all.