This is another story of mine that I also have posted on Wattpad. It takes place after the second season, but there was no attempted shooting and Justin has already been adopted by the Jensens. Rating might go up in future chapters.

The title is based on the song by Liz Phair. Please let me know what you think!

UPDATE: 08/24/2019

I finished watching 13RW season 3 yesterday, and I decided I will be addressing the attempted shooting and following the show's storyline, but with my own twists.

Chapter 1

Justin's POV

This was Justin Foley's second meeting in four days.

He'd been desperately trying to hide the fact that he wasn't clean from the Jensens. He'd been given a second chance he knew didn't deserve; with new parents who cared about his well being, and a new brother that trusted him and protected him. If he lost them, he wouldn't be able to take it.

Justin still felt guilty about a lot of things. Showing Bryce that picture of Hannah, letting him rape Jessica, threatening Clay, becoming an addict. There were too many sins on his conscience.

One of the most recent ones consisted on the night of the Spring Fling at Liberty High.

He'd slept with Jessica, knowing full well that she was dating Alex. Seeing them together had hurt him deeply, no matter how he'd tried to tell himself to be happy for them. When Jessica had leaned in on him, looking absolutely beautiful, he just couldn't refuse her. He wasn't worthy of her love, and he will never be. But if she still wanted him, what could stop him from saying yes again?

The answer was simple: Alex.

Alex, who'd saved his life. Alex, who was his friend. He'd betrayed Alex, and that couldn't be undone now. He and Jessica had vowed not to say anything to him. Alex was just starting to feel like his old self again, and there would be no point in crushing his spirit, not after everything.

"Is there anyone here attending their first NA meeting, or this meeting for the first time?" Lincoln, the leader of the meeting asked, disrupting Justin's musings.

A girl who looked around his age raised her hand slowly. She was sitting right in front of him, so he didn't have to move to see her. The first thing he noticed was the blue lipstick on her lips. I don't think I've ever seen a girl wearing blue lipstick. Her long, dark hair was tied up in a ponytail. It seemed like she hadn't slept in days, because there were purple circles around her brown eyes. The girl looked nervous and out of place, but she wasn't the only one.

"Well, hello!" Lincoln welcomed the girl. "What's your name?"

"My name is Connie." She replied, looking down. "This is my first meeting ever."

"Hi, Connie." They all greeted her in unison.

"Can you tell us something about yourself, Connie?" Lincoln asked her. "Why are you here with us today?"

"I'm here because..." Connie closed her eyes and sighed. "I don't really know if I can say it now. Sorry."

"That's fine. You can just listen for today, and talk when you're ready."

Connie nodded, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. Her gaze suddenly met Justin's, and he looked away quickly, embarrassed that he'd been caught staring.

It seemed silly, but he now felt better knowing there was someone around his age present. I wonder where does she go to school.

After listening to several stories, Justin was glad that it was time for a break. Meetings could be overwhelming, and he needed to think about something that wasn't needles for a minute.

Justin waited in line to pour himself a cup of coffee, when somebody patted him on the back.

"Sorry, I just..." Connie murmured, rubbing the back of her neck. He stood quietly, waiting for her to elaborate. "You're just the only person here who isn't old or creepy, and I wanted to ask you if you could tell me how all of this works and what am I supposed to say, because I don't really know if I'm comfortable telling everyone about my life and..." She stopped, biting her lip. "Sorry. I ramble when I'm nervous."

Justin watched her with an amused expression. "It's okay, relax. I get it."

Connie let out a tiny breath. "Let's start over." She held out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Connie, but you already knew that. What's your name?"

"I'm Justin." He said, taking her hand. Connie's blue mouth curved into a smile, and her pale cheeks reddened. Pretty.

It was finally his turn at the coffee line, so he poured one cup for him and one for Connie.

"Thanks." She said, taking a sip. "It's good."

"You're a terrible liar." Justin chuckled. "It's awful, but you'll get used to it."

"How long have you been coming here?" She blurted out. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry."

"You apologize a lot." Justin noticed. "A couple of weeks."

"Does it help?"

Justin didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to discourage her either. "I don't know." He shrugged. "Sometimes."

He and Connie stared at each other until it was time for the meeting to continue and they had to return to their seats. Unexpectedly, Connie raised her hand for the second time today. "I'd like to talk now."

"Go ahead, Connie." Lincoln encouraged her.

"I'm here because I'm addicted to cocaine." Connie gritted her teeth. "I want to explain why I started doing it, but I'm too ashamed." She sniffled quietly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, Connie." Lincoln said reassuringly. "You won't get any judgment here. Like I said earlier, you can talk when you're ready."

Connie adjusted her ponytail and remained quiet for the rest of the meeting; her eyes and Justin's meeting on occasion. He couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. How did a girl let like that get into cocaine?

"I totally chickened out." Connie mumbled on the way to the exit. "I'm such an idiot."

Justin shook his head. "No, you're not. It's not that easy to share these type of things. I tend to do more listening than talking here."

"Yeah." She began yawning and looking at her phone. "My mom was supposed to pick me up, but she's running late. Do you wanna go somewhere to talk... or not talk?" Justin's eyes widened, and Connie blushed, realizing how she'd sounded. "I didn't mean it like that."

Justin grinned. "Don't worry." He was about to accept when he saw Clay's car parked outside. "My brother is over there waiting for me." He said, hating the way he'd made her hopeful expression disappear. "I'm sorry."

"Now who is apologizing?" Connie joked. "It's fine. I guess I'll see you at the next meeting."

"Sure." Justin gave her one last look. She was playing with the sleeves of her sweater, smiling slightly at him. He waved her goodbye and got into the car.

"Hey, Justin." Clay greeted him. "Who was that?"

"New girl." He answered simply. And someone who doesn't know anything about the things that I've done.